Welcome to our holiday home tour. Join me as I show how I styled our townhouse for Christmas 2025 using classic colors, thrifted finds, and meaningful décor—what I like to call our very own Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas.
Welcome to our holiday home tour, sweet friends!
If you came for coffee today, I’d greet you at the front door of our cozy townhouse, tuck your coat into the small entry closet, and lead you to the kitchen for a warm cup of coffee or tea—whatever you prefer.
From the kitchen we’d stroll into the main living space: the dining area and living room where we spend most of our days. We might chat at the dining table over a Christmas snack, or curl up in the living room with our feet up and a cozy throw.
Everything feels a little more special because the house is decorated for the holidays. I’m excited to show you around and share a few simple, approachable ideas you can use in your own holiday décor.
My holiday décor philosophy
For many years my guiding principle has been to keep seasonal decorating simple, meaningful, and intentional. For 35 years I’ve limited our Christmas décor—no matter the size of our home—to just two large totes and a small artificial tree. Why this minimal approach?
- It keeps storage manageable and teardown easy.
- It forces me to hold on only to pieces I truly love—items that carry memories, tell our family’s story, or can be mixed and matched each year to create a fresh look.
This year I noticed the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” aesthetic trending, and I laughed a little because I’ve loved that classic, equestrian-inspired look for decades. Much of what I already own fit perfectly into that style: rich reds, deep greens, tartan accents, and layered textures.
So pull on your slippers and come on in—let me show you how a few thoughtful pieces can create a warm, elegant holiday feeling without overwhelming your space.
Dining area and Christmas tree decorations
Our long, narrow room places the tree in the dining corner beside the buffet. Because the tree itself is small, I set it on a wooden box to give it presence and height. Decorations stick to a classic palette—red and gold ornaments, green bows, and a festive tartan topper.
On the buffet shelves I embraced layered styling: a mix of thrifted and vintage finds with a few newer accents like platters, angel figurines, framed prints, and bits of greenery. Layering creates depth and a sense of history without cluttering the room because every item has a story.
The dining table centerpiece was assembled mostly from what I already owned—a thrifted ice bucket as a container, a tiny faux tree, spray-painted gold hydrangeas, and sprigs of faux greenery—arranged casually but thoughtfully. Leather-look chargers, white dinner plates, red cloth napkins with tartan napkin rings, and small pine-cone wreath napkin rings at the head and foot of the table pull the look together.
Tip: You don’t need to buy everything new. Use what you have, borrow accents from other rooms, and let your décor reflect your memories.
Christmas in the townhouse living room
Because we don’t have a mantel, I decorated the top of our bookcases with garland. I split a garland in two, draped it across the tops, and added extra faux greenery to make it feel fuller. Green velvet bows at the corners give a finished, layered look reminiscent of classic designer styling.
On the shelves I arranged vintage books by color, used horizontal stacks as small platforms, and tucked sentimental ornaments and a little balsa village into the display. Above the couch I hung a vintage-style art print with rich colors that echo the equestrian theme. Plaid and faux-leather cushion covers add warmth, and a simple basket on the coffee table holds tall candles and a vintage red truck ornament.
Tip: If you don’t have a mantel, shelves, doorways, or the tops of bookcases are perfect places to display garland and layered décor.
Why less is more—and how to make it meaningful
Limiting what you bring out each year leads to more intentional decorating. When your holiday décor fits into just a couple of tubs, you’re selective about what earns a place in your home. I choose items with story and sentiment, and occasionally add a new piece that complements the collection. When I add something new, it often means letting go of something that no longer sparks joy.
The practical benefits are real: easier storage, quicker setup, and less stressful teardown. The emotional benefit is even better—your home feels personal and lived-in, not like a retail display.
Visit Grandma Rita’s Christmas Shop
Explore a curated collection of classic Christmas décor, easy holiday gift ideas, and a small recipe e‑book to help make your season simpler and more festive. Browse the shop on this site for my favorite finds and seasonal recommendations.
More holiday ideas you might enjoy
- Make handmade gifts like felt ornaments for a personal touch.
- Try classic holiday recipes such as rolled sugar cookies or a savory roasted turkey dish with bacon for festive dinners.
A week of holiday home tours
Looking for more inspiration? Here’s a schedule of participating home tours happening all week. These names represent friend bloggers and creative homes to browse for ideas and seasonal styling inspiration.
MONDAY
- Living Large in a Small House
- Amy Sadler Designs
- Shiplap and Shells
- This Is Simplicite
- Stonegable
- She Gave It A Go
- WM Design House
TUESDAY
- Perfecting Places
- Cottage in the Mitten
- Willow Bloom Home
- Thistle Key Lane
- Sonata Home Design
- Harbour Breeze Home
- Decor To Adore
WEDNESDAY
- Vintage Home Designs
- A Life Unfolding
- Lazy Girls Garden Club
- My Family Thyme
- Pasha is Home
- Midwest Life and Style
- Country Peony
THURSDAY
- Old Castle Cottage
- South House Designs
- A Hundred Affections
- A Stroll Thru Life
- White Lilac Farmhouse
- Cloches & Lavender
- The Crowned Goat
FRIDAY
- Returning Grace Designs
- Dabbling & Decorating
- County Road 407
- Bungalow 47
- Sky Lark House
- Follow the Yellow Brick Home
- Lora Bloomquist — Create and Ponder
Pin this post to your favorite holiday board so you can return for ideas, and feel free to revisit the tour any time for fresh inspiration. Wishing you a warm and joyful decorating season filled with meaningful pieces and simple traditions.