Turn A Plaid Shirt Into Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas Decor With This Simple DIY

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You may have heard that one of the primary trends this holiday season is the use of Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas decorations. This new craze is characterized by textured fabrics, like velvet and tartan, as well as stunning metals, such as silver and gold, which give the overall decor scheme a feeling of warmth and comfort. However, it can be hard to know how to implement this trend into your own festive decor, particularly if you have a limited budget or are trying to save some money for holiday presents and upcoming trips.

Don't worry, though, because there is actually a simple decoration that you can make yourself, which is incredibly cost-effective, too. This clever DIY decor is made using a picture frame, an old plaid shirt (preferably a red plaid to fit the classic Christmas color scheme), and any additional decorations you would like to add. That's it! With only three simple (and thriftable) elements and a few straightforward steps, you can have your own framed festive pattern to place on a side table, mantle, or kitchen counter for a little bit of added holiday cheer. 

And the best part? It's incredibly customizable, meaning you can adapt it to whatever style you want. While a red plaid shirt is perfect for a Ralph Lauren Christmas, you can switch out the shirt for another type of festive fabric. Whether you're looking to decorate for the holidays while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic or you want something with a bit more color like the Ralph Lauren trend, this handy DIY might just be the perfect project for you this season. So, how exactly can you make this charming piece to suit your style and specific needs? We'll show you!

To make this elegant, simple holiday decor, first collect your materials. There are plenty of budget-friendly picture frames available at retail stores or thrift shops. This wooden picture frame from Amazon is perfect for emulating the Ralph Lauren decor trend, due to its use of warm, natural materials. Or, find an ornate frame at a secondhand shop — you can paint or stain it to fit the aesthetic as long as the design fits the theme. You'll also need a piece of festive or holiday-themed fabric for the inside of the frame. This can be anything from an old plaid shirt (perfect for a Ralph Lauren Christmas) to fabric with wintery shapes, like trees, snowflakes, or wreaths. For an environmentally friendly option, use pieces of scrap fabric from other projects to create a collage look using holiday colors and patterns.

Then, it's time to assemble! Cut the fabric to the same dimensions as the frame and place it inside. Leave it like that or lay an item, such as a festive greeting card or ornament with the string removed, over top so the fabric creates an eye-catching mat around the outside. You can attach additional elements to make your new decoration look even more festive. For example, you may want to add a gold brooch or velvet ribbon to follow that Ralph Lauren-inspired look. Alternatively, you could do this craft with children and allow them to add their own combination of glitter, stickers, or colorful pipe cleaners. Just remember that if your added decorations are bulkier, you may need to remove the glass front. This DIY is a great way to create Ralph Lauren Christmas decor on a budget while adding your own stamp and adapting it to your personal style.