6 Ralph Lauren Rustic Christmas Tree Inspiration Ideas

There's something about an old-fashioned Christmas that I don't think you can ever really beat.

Deep red ribbons, tartan blankets, twinkling lights, decorations that have been brought out year after year, and a Christmas tree that looks as though it belongs in an old country house.

Just a wonderfully warm, traditional Christmas.

And that's exactly what I love about the Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas aesthetic.

It's rich and elegant without being overly modern. Think burgundy velvet, forest green, traditional tartan, antique brass and plenty of natural textures.

The sort of Christmas decorating that wouldn't look out of place in an old Scottish manor house.

Or, in my case, a rather more modest 180-year-old cottage in rural Scotland.

And the good news is that you don't need a Ralph Lauren budget to recreate the look.

Here are six rustic Christmas tree ideas inspired by that beautiful, timeless country-house style.

What Is a Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas Tree?

If you've spent any time looking at Christmas decorating inspiration on Pinterest, you've probably come across the Ralph Lauren Christmas look.

It's inspired by traditional country-house interiors, heritage fabrics and the sort of decorations that never really go out of fashion.

Instead of icy silver baubles, bright white lights and ultra-modern ornaments, think rich colours, soft fabrics, natural greenery and vintage decorations.

The main ingredients are:

• Traditional tartan and plaid ribbons

• Burgundy, navy and forest green

• Velvet bows and rich fabric textures

• Antique gold and brass ornaments

• Warm white Christmas lights

• Pinecones, wooden decorations and natural greenery

• Vintage ornaments that look collected over time

But I think the most important part of this style is that it feels personal.

A Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas tree shouldn't look as though every decoration came out of the same box.

It should feel as though it's been added to over many Christmases.

1. The Classic Red Tartan Christmas Tree

If I had to choose one Christmas tree that perfectly captures the traditional Ralph Lauren-inspired look, it would be a beautiful green tree covered in red tartan ribbon.

There's something so wonderfully nostalgic about tartan at Christmas.

Especially here in Scotland, where it feels entirely at home.

Start with a full green Christmas tree and plenty of warm white lights.

Then weave lengths of red, green and navy tartan ribbon loosely through the branches.

You don't need to wrap the ribbon around the tree in perfectly even spirals. I actually think it looks nicer when it falls naturally between the branches.

Add a mixture of deep red baubles, a few antique gold decorations and perhaps some little brass bells.

Finish with a large tartan bow at the top.

How to recreate the look on a budget: Look for second-hand tartan fabric, unwanted scarves or leftover ribbon. You can make your own bows rather than buying expensive ready-made decorations.

2. The Burgundy Velvet and Antique Gold Christmas Tree

This one is a little moodier, and I absolutely love it.

Imagine a deep green Christmas tree decorated with rich burgundy velvet bows, antique gold baubles and softly glowing fairy lights.

It's elegant, but not in a particularly flashy way.

More old country-house library than luxury hotel lobby.

I think this would look beautiful in a cottage with dark wooden furniture, old books and warm, cosy lighting.

Start with burgundy velvet ribbon and tie a selection of simple bows.

You can make them in different sizes so the tree doesn't look too uniform.

Scatter them throughout the branches, then add antique gold ornaments and perhaps a few dark bronze decorations.

Keep the lights warm rather than bright white.

The finished effect should be rich, soft and slightly nostalgic.

Budget tip: If you have damaged velvet clothing that can't be repaired or worn, you might be able to salvage suitable sections of fabric for handmade bows.

It's a lovely way to give old materials another purpose.

3. The Rustic Woodland Christmas Tree

This is probably the style I'd be most tempted to try in our Scottish cottage.

A rustic woodland Christmas tree takes the traditional Ralph Lauren colour palette and combines it with natural decorations.

Think pinecones, wooden stars, dried orange slices, little bundles of cinnamon sticks and deep green velvet ribbon.

The idea is to make your tree look as though it belongs in a countryside cottage surrounded by woodland.

Start with a natural-looking green tree.

Add warm white lights, then decorate with pinecones and wooden ornaments.

A few burgundy or forest green velvet bows will bring in that heritage-country-house feeling.

You could even make some decorations yourself using leftover fabric, scraps of ribbon or small pieces of wood.

And there's no need to cover every branch.

Let some of the greenery show through.

I think rustic Christmas trees often look their loveliest when they're not too perfectly decorated.

Budget tip: Reuse pinecones from previous decorations, make dried orange slices at home and look for second-hand wooden ornaments.

If you're gathering natural materials outdoors, make sure they're clean, dry and suitable for indoor use.

4. The Scottish Highland Tartan Christmas Tree

Now this one feels particularly appropriate for a Christmas in Scotland.

Imagine a beautiful traditional Christmas tree decorated with dark green tartan, navy blue velvet, antique brass bells and little rustic wooden ornaments.

It's a slightly darker, more understated take on the classic red tartan tree.

And I think it would look absolutely gorgeous in an old cottage.

Choose a tartan featuring forest green, navy and perhaps a little burgundy.

Black Watch-inspired colours would work beautifully.

Use the tartan to make generous bows or loose lengths of ribbon that can be tucked between the branches.

Add dark blue and deep green baubles, along with a handful of brass or antique gold decorations.

For a finishing touch, use a simple wooden star or a large tartan bow.

You could even wrap the base of the tree with a second-hand tartan blanket.

Budget tip: Charity shops can be wonderful places to look for old tartan scarves, blankets and festive decorations.

Just make sure anything you repurpose is no longer suitable for wearing or another more useful purpose.

5. The Vintage Country House Christmas Tree

I think one of the nicest things about traditional Christmas decorating is bringing out the same ornaments year after year.

Some might be slightly scratched.

Others might be a little old-fashioned.

But that's what gives them character.

For this tree, forget about creating a perfectly coordinated colour scheme.

Instead, imagine a collection of vintage glass baubles, little wooden figures, old-fashioned bells and decorations that look as though they've been collected over decades.

Use traditional colours such as red, green, gold and cream.

Add some velvet ribbon, perhaps a few tartan bows, and plenty of warm white lights.

The key is to make the tree feel layered and personal.

A little wooden rocking horse ornament would look lovely.

So would vintage-style angels, bells and traditional glass baubles.

And if you've inherited any Christmas decorations from family members, this is the perfect tree for them.

Budget tip: Look for mixed bundles of second-hand Christmas decorations rather than buying individual designer ornaments.

You can often create a much more interesting collection by mixing old and new.

6. The Cosy Neutral Rustic Christmas Tree

Not everyone wants a Christmas tree covered in red and green.

And while those colours are central to the traditional Ralph Lauren-inspired look, I think you can create a softer rustic interpretation using neutral shades and natural materials.

Imagine a tree decorated with cream knitted bows, champagne-coloured baubles, wooden ornaments and little touches of warm brown.

Add some subtle forest green ribbon to bring a little colour into the scheme.

This style would look beautiful in a small cottage living room, particularly if you already have light walls, wooden furniture and cosy knitted blankets.

I love the idea of using fabric scraps to create some of the decorations.

Old cream jumpers could become little knitted ornaments.

Leftover linen could be turned into simple bows.

And small wooden stars would add a lovely handmade touch.

The finished tree should feel warm and traditional rather than stark or minimalist.

Budget tip: Use leftover fabric from damaged clothing to make your own ornaments, and reuse neutral baubles you already own.

How to Create the Ralph Lauren Christmas Look Without Spending a Fortune

One of the things I always try to remember when decorating our cottage is that you don't need to buy everything new.

And I think this particular Christmas aesthetic lends itself beautifully to second-hand shopping and upcycling.

In fact, I would argue that older decorations often suit the look better than brand-new ones.

Here are a few ways to keep the cost down.

Reuse old fabric. Tartan shirts, damaged velvet clothing and leftover fabric can all become beautiful Christmas bows or decorations.

Shop second-hand. Charity shops, car boot sales and online second-hand marketplaces are worth checking for traditional Christmas ornaments.

Choose one main colour scheme. Rather than buying lots of different decorations, stick to two or three main colours and build around them.

Use natural materials. Pinecones, dried oranges and wooden decorations are perfect for rustic Christmas styling.

Keep decorations year after year. A timeless Christmas tree doesn't need to change completely every December.

And perhaps most importantly, don't feel that your tree has to look exactly like a photograph on Pinterest.

Sometimes the nicest Christmas trees are the ones with a little personality.

There's something rather lovely about continuing that tradition.

And whether you choose a rich burgundy velvet tree, a traditional tartan Christmas tree or something a little more rustic and woodland-inspired, I think the most important thing is that it feels like home.

Because the nicest Christmas decorations aren't necessarily the most expensive ones.

They're the ones that make you smile when you walk into the room.

If you're planning your Christmas decorations, save this Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas tree guide to Pinterest so you can come back to it when you're ready to decorate.

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