This holiday season, a new craze is taking over American households: the “Ralph Lauren Christmas.” It's not only affluent consumers and New York City residences that are captivated by the allure of tartan, velvet, and brass. Candle holders. Instead, millions of budget-minded Americans are piecing together their own versions of ‘90s holiday opulence, raiding their local dollar stores and thrift shops to capture just a hint of Ralph Lauren’s famed festive glamour.
TL;DR
- This holiday season, a new craze is taking over American households: the “ Ralph Lauren Christmas.” It's not only affluent consumers and New York City residences that are captivated by the allure of tartan, velvet, and brass.
- Candle holders.
- Instead, millions of budget-minded Americans are piecing together their own versions of ‘90s holiday opulence, raiding their local dollar stores and thrift shops to capture just a hint of Ralph Lauren’s famed festive glamour.
- Recommended Video Between TikTok and Instagram , the term “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has seen a rise exceeding 600% year-over-year.
Between TikTok and Instagram, the term “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has seen a rise exceeding 600% year-over-year. Concurrently, searches for related decor on Etsy have increased by over 180%, with Google Trends indicating Reaching new, never-before-seen levels. “This search trajectory suggests the trend has moved beyond niche interest into mainstream holiday planning behavior,” said Chase Varga, Director of Marketing at ListenFirst, a marketing analysis firm founded in 2012.
Browsing social media platforms showcases an unending stream of fireplace mantels adorned with plaid and velvet, collections of antique nutcrackers positioned under dark-wood shelves, and tabletops overflowing with festive extravagance. Much of the aesthetic is rooted in nostalgia for the 1990s—a time when American opulence and the heirloom “good Christmas” felt accessible and aspirational at the same time.
Luxury without the high cost
Yet, what’s striking about the trend’s viral run is not a rush on luxury home retailers, but the sheer number of creators frank about finding “the look” at secondhand shops, discount retailers, or value stores. Faux brass candlesticks, plastic nutcrackers, and off-brand plaid blankets are hauled out as budget stand-ins for the designer’s signature style. The challenge, and the thrill, is achieving the aura of a Ralph Lauren Christmas at a fraction of the price, especially when original pieces can easily cost hundreds.
This isn't solely due to a desire for beauty; it's also an economic imperative. Most Americans' holiday budgets have been hit hard by inflation and increasing expenses, leading many to make their money go further and begin their holiday preparations sooner. Retailers themselves lean into the trend: even premium guides for replicating the “heritage” style pair aspirational items with affordable alternatives from mass-market stores.
Shoppers seek out classic decorative elements like tartan throws, velvet ribbons, and gold ornaments, acquiring them from various sources. Online communities and YouTube forums are full of advice for “dupes” and clever DIY projects that capture the cozy, inviting feel of Ralph Lauren style, but without the high cost. For many, assembling these elements isn’t aspirational irony but an earnest desire to conjure the cozy, elegant holidays they remember from childhood or the Hollywood dreams.
More than nostalgia?
Some critics online question whether this “trend” repackages basic Christmas traditions under a new label. Yet for others—especially Millennials and Gen Z creators who grew up yearning for catalog holidays—“Ralph Lauren Christmas” describes a mood as much as a collection of objects: a longing for warmth, security, and family gatherings in uncertain times.
The style’s core motifs—a roaring fire, deep jewel tones, layers of texture—evoke not just designer luxury, but memories of grandparents’ houses and TV holiday specials. In a jittery economy, the comfort found in ritual, tradition, and a whiff of elegance conjuring “old money” (another breakout search term) feels especially magnetic.
No matter where it’s sourced, the Ralph Lauren Christmas is less about brand names and more about atmosphere. The Ralph Lauren Christmas of 2025 owes as much to nostalgia and the ingenuity of ordinary Americans as it does to Madison Avenue—proof that with enough fairy lights, brass-look candlesticks, and dollar-store tartan ribbon, anyone can conjure up a bit of ‘90s opulent holiday magic.
For this story, Fortune an initial draft was created with the assistance of generative AI. An editor then confirmed the information's accuracy prior to publication.
FAQ
TL;DR?
This holiday season, a new craze is taking over American households: the “ Ralph Lauren Christmas.” It's not only affluent consumers and New York City residences that are captivated by the allure of tartan, velvet, and brass. Candle holders. Instead, millions of budget-minded Americans are piecing together their own versions of ‘90s holiday opulence, raiding their local dollar stores and thrift shops to capture just a hint of Ralph Lauren’s famed festive glamour. Recommended Video Between TikTok and Instagram , the term “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has seen a rise exceeding 600% year-over-year.
Luxury without the high cost?
Yet, what’s striking about the trend’s viral run is not a rush on luxury home retailers, but the sheer number of creators frank about finding “ the look ” at secondhand shops, discount retailers, or value stores . Faux brass candlesticks, plastic nutcrackers, and off-brand plaid blankets are hauled out as budget stand-ins for the designer’s signature style. The challenge, and the thrill, is achieving the aura of a Ralph Lauren Christmas at a fraction of the price, especially when original pieces can easily cost hundreds.
More than nostalgia?
Some critics online question whether this “trend” repackages basic Christmas traditions under a new label. Yet for others—especially Millennials and Gen Z creators who grew up yearning for catalog holidays—“Ralph Lauren Christmas” describes a mood as much as a collection of objects: a longing for warmth, security, and family gatherings in uncertain times.