Gen Z’s Nostalgia Crisis: Why They’re Escaping to ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’

Clark Griswold spoke of having a good old fashioned family Christmas in "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation". It now appears that he isn’t alone.

A Ralph Lauren Christmas

If you spend any time on Instagram or Tik Tok, you have probably seen a new trend titled “Ralph Lauren Christmas”. Like anything on social media, it has its fans and its haters. The fans say it is a desire for a nostalgia filled Christmas. Its opponents say it is a rebranding of the official Christmas decor. No matter one’s opinion, the phrase “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has millions of views on TikTok.

What is the Ralph Lauren Christmas Style?

The Ralph Lauren style is the traditional Christmas style. It consists of red and green, red and green plaid, velvet ribbons, nutcrackers, fireplaces, basically the Christmas decor many of us already have and use each year.

Gen Z and Nostalgia

Christmas is not the only area getting the nostalgia treatment by Generation Z. It is a continuing effort by the group born between 1997 and 2012. These guys have had a tough time of it, spending their formative years locked down at home through covid and having their awkward teenage years broadcast across the world on social media. It is no surprise that these guys long for a simpler time when things moved at a slower pace, and the world seemed much smaller.

Gen Z and 1920's Art Deco

Art Deco came out of the roaring 1920's. It was a time that saw the rise of skyscrapers and an increased interest in the film industry. The style has a modern edge and Gen Z loves it. According to Pinterest's Fall 2025 Trend Report, searches for “art deco interior 1920s vintage” are up 745 percent among Gen Z users.

Gen Z’s Desire to Return to Yesteryear and Christmas 2025

Knowing where Gen Z’s interest lies makes Christmas shopping somewhat easier. All you have to do is look for items that scream “comfort” and “vintage”. Where do I find these things? Two words. Antique Stores. An antique store has items ranging from the 1800’s to last year. There is no scenerio that will have you walking into an antique store and walking out emptyhanded. Find the proof in the gallery below. Every picture is an item I found this past weekend in two antique stores in Waxahachie, Texas. Happy hunting!