Do you hear that? The chill in the air is officially freezing. The passing of daylight saving time (a moment of silence for daylight saving please) means we’re well and truly into the holiday season, which means it’s time to start decorating! While I firmly believe that everyone should decorate their homes in whatever way makes their holidays feel the best, it’s also my job as a family organizer and a way to inform you about what’s going on (and what not) during the holidays. Bows? So last year. Tartan? The classic is set to return as the must-have style of the year.
Below, I cover five ways to decorate for the holidays you will see everywhere this winter. Happy decorating!
Ralph Lauren Christmas
Social media has been abuzz with the term “Ralph Lauren Christmas” since even before Halloween, so it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing a lot of looks this year. If you’re curious about what Ralph Lauren Christmas is all about, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with this detailed story, complete with tips and ideas to bring the look to life in your home.
The short version is very simple: Ralph Lauren Christmas is about going back to the old ways of Christmas. Think layers of tartan, silver baubles, lush greenery, and a thread of Ralph-approved rusticity, all displayed in a classic red and green palette. Get ready to see more this year—and next.
A Merry, Vintage Christmas
Like Ralph Lauren’s Christmas look, the classic Christmas charm is inspired by the Art Deco motifs we’ve seen pop up this year. Although the spirit of Ralph Lauren’s Christmas is rustic Americana, the spirit of a classic Christmas is martinis and white tablecloths – it is bright, but not bright because of the warmth and patina vintage metallics bring.
Silver Revere bowls provide great places to build your vintage jewelry collection.
If Ralph Lauren is talking about red and green, this trend is more based on cool winter tones, like silver and blue. Think silver champagne glasses ready for the party or trees decorated with fabric with gifts wrapped in the finest velvet ribbons.
Handmade Holidays
You can also call this Christmas decoration look “Little Women’s Christmas,” if you feel like it. If Ralph Lauren beauty feels “over the top,” this is for you. Everything about the handmade holiday feels cozy and lived-in—think dried citrus accents and paper wreaths. The emphasis here is on doing something—anything—and showing it off with pride. Shop vintage for anything you can’t make yourself, and be sure to bring in natural elements to give it a Louisa May Alcott – feel-good vibe.
Folksy Scandi Holidays
If you love the idea of a handmade holiday but want it to feel intentional and polished, then this year’s Swedish-style Christmas may be for you. This cozier, homier take on Scandi design is a departure from the minimalist Scandi style that dominated the past decade. Instead, the style relies on Swedish crafts—think paper stars hanging from the ceiling, trees decorated with wooden beads and hand-painted sounds. It’s a small ski room and a cozy bathroom, with lush greenery and soft linens.
RELATED: This Utah Family Home Has a Simple, Vacation-Friendly Style
The Perfect 1990s Christmas
You’ve heard of the dopamine rush, but what 90s kids are doing today is more like the oxytocin rush. When this generation starts having their own children, they indulge in a kind of nostalgia, reliving their childhood in the hopes of giving their children a “good” Christmas like they had.
That means ditching the blue LED lights for something like Tru-Tone colored lights to make sure their 2025 Christmas tree has the same warm orange-red glow that their 1995 one did. It also means embracing a little – emphasizing a little – a little kitsch. Do you like the polar bear or penguin motif? This is your chance to play it. Shopping at your local thrift store or thrift store (or, you know, just calling your mom) is the best way to bring this beauty to life. Every piece you bring in should have a story—connected to family or past experiences—and none of it has to be perfect.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she’s been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive ideas on the beautifully designed country kitchen, showcasing home features, writing everything from the latest beauty reports to must-read tips, and rounding up everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint. she has written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can be found digging around her flower garden or on the dusty shelves of an antique store. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, that of the three-year-old Maltese and Country Living Pet Lab’s legal inspector, Teddy, on Instagram.
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