How To Bring The Ralph Lauren Christmas Decor Trend To Your Thanksgiving Table

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Does anyone else feel like every time they open TikTok or Instagram, they're flooded with Ralph Lauren Christmas content? If you've been seeing the festive aesthetic everywhere, it's because it's the holiday trend of the season. And if you haven't heard of it yet, it's essentially a maximalist, heritage-inspired decorating style that puts rich tartans, layered textures, and that classic Ralph Lauren country-chic warmth at the forefront. The complete opposite of last year's trending quiet luxury craze, the idea here is that more is more. The overall goal is to curate a grand yet cozy atmosphere with traditional and timeless elegance. And the best part is that with just a few small tweaks, you can also use the Christmas aesthetic to elevate your Thanksgiving table decor.

One of the first things to consider when using the trend for your Thanksgiving decor is shifting the color palette toward fall tones rather than festive winter ones. While Ralph Lauren Christmas leans into shades of deep reds, greens, and blues, a Thanksgiving tablescape will benefit from warmer hues — think earthy shades of green, burgundy, navy, brown, and orange, paired with beige, brass, or gold accents. The second thing to keep in mind is decorative foliage. Instead of dressing up your table with garland and holly — which will be found on lots of Ralph Lauren Christmas table setups this year — opt for a more fall-forward display with elements like dried branches and leaves, pinecones, and autumnal floral centerpieces. Flowers and plants that come in shades of burgundy, eggplant, yellow, and beige will make the perfect fall bouquet for your centerpiece.

A great place to start with your Ralph Lauren-themed Thanksgiving table is figuring out how you want to incorporate tartan, which is an integral element of the aesthetic. A great way to incorporate the Scottish-inspired pattern is with a tartan tablecloth or table runner — like this Pottery Barn Woodrow Plaid Cotton Table Throw. Or you could easily find one in a similar pattern and color at your local HomeGoods, Dollar Tree, or secondhand store, if you're shopping on a budget. As mentioned earlier, this particular decor style is all about layering textures, so layering a tartan tablecloth under a solid-colored linen or wool table runner — perhaps in a taupe or beige color that matches one of the lines in the tartan pattern — would add depth. Or, for an even cozier feel, consider layering with a velvet table runner.  

Next up is finding the perfect tableware. Start with either a metallic or tartan charger plate, then layer whimsical, woodsy-patterned dinner plates on top. Something like this vintage-inspired Spode Woodland Turkey Set with British Flowers Border from Amazon would be great for a Ralph Lauren-style Thanksgiving table. Or, you could opt for something a bit simpler, like the Spode Delamere Place Setting with Rich Brown British Flowers Border. Alternatively, there are also affordable vintage dinnerware brands that you can find at the thrift store that would work perfectly. Complete the look with dark brown woven placemats for added texture and tartan fabric napkins to complement your tablecloth.

Once you've got your tableware sorted out, the next step is bringing in ambient lighting. Since the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend is all about coziness and warmth, lighting is key — and the easiest way to incorporate it is with candles. Tapered candles in vintage-inspired brass or bronze holders offer an elegant touch. However, if you're worried about having an open flame at the dinner table, consider a candle holder with a glass shade, such as this Lanlong Clear Glass Hurricane Candle Holder Set from Amazon, which will give the candles more of a lantern look. And to lean even further into the more-is-more vibe, consider layering your table with a mix of taper candles and pillar candles for added depth.

The final step in decorating your dining table to fit the Ralph Lauren trend is bringing in some personal touches. Since the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend is meant to inspire feelings of warmth, togetherness, and nostalgia, think about incorporating a family heirloom into your table setting — your grandmother's casserole dish, for example, would likely fit right into the vintage vibe of this decor trend. Another way to add a personal touch is by writing handwritten place cards for each guest to create a tablescape that feels inviting, cozy, and thoughtful — the heart of this decor style.