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In my role at Apartment Therapy, I’m most passionate about making my home look beautiful and organized and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience…read more
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor, and media consultant. Her writing has appeared in almost every major American design publication, most notably as a longtime contributor to Architectural Digest and Dwell, and she’s also been published in places like The New York Times, AFAR,…read more
My friends and I are obsessed with Christmas — like, decorating-our-dorms-in-November obsessed. But as college students on a budget, we needed a way to make holiday gift-giving affordable and meaningful.
The concept we decided, which we call “the Big Four,” on is simple but ingenious: We “assign” out names Secret Santa-style, and each person puts together a gift box for their giftee with one thing the person needs, one thing they want, one thing that reminds you of them, and one thing in their favorite color. I have been doing this with my friends for two years now, and this year was even better than the last.
The Secret Santa format means everyone gets a gift without spending a ton (we each keep it under $50). It’s thoughtful, budget-friendly, and honestly way more exciting than just swapping wish list items.
If you love the idea of trying this gift exchange method with your friends, here’s exactly how you can make it happen this holiday season.
This method turns out so well with my friends because we’re all super clear about how it will work. If you also want to give it go, establish a spending limit early on that works for everyone. Again, my friends and I stick to $50, but it should be whatever you and your friends feel comfortable with.
Then, make sure everyone understands the four categories: something the person needs, something they want, something that reminds you of them, and something in their favorite color.
If you want to assign a random person to each friend like my friends and I do, you can draw names out of a hat in person or use an online generator like Elfster if your group is spread out geographically.
Of course, you can also simply use this “Big Four” blueprint for individual gifting — it’s perfect for a bestie, sibling, or significant other when a full group exchange isn’t an option.
Don’t forget to think about the four categories while shopping for your giftee: If you keep them as a checklist in your Notes app, for example, it makes the whole process easier and more intentional.
Remember to stick to your budget (it keeps things fair for everyone else, too!), and know that thoughtfulness matters more than price. Go for personal touches: Whether it’s a DIY element or something that shows you really “get” your friend, those details make all the difference.
Then, for an extra-adorable touch, use a cute box or basket to hold everything — and don’t forget festive tissue paper.
Plan a day to meet up, swap your boxes, and watch everyone’s reactions as they open their presents. It’s so heartwarming to see how thoughtful everyone gets with their picks!
If you and your friends live all over, you could also ship them to each other and then do a Zoom gift exchange.
This year I did all my shopping at T.J. Maxx, which was a goldmine for cute and affordable gifts. I also loved picking out a decorative box and tissue paper to tie everything together. Here’s what I put in my friend’s box to fit each category.
I chose a framed photo of our friend group. My friend recently moved into her own apartment, and I felt like this was something she needed to make her space feel more like home.
For this category, I went with a beginner-friendly crochet reindeer kit. She’s been talking about wanting to try crocheting ever since she saw it trending on TikTok.
An initial necklace. My friend loves layering necklaces, and the one I saw felt so like her when I saw it. Plus, initial jewelry is super trendy right now!
To make the staircase the statement Matthew and his husband were after, Matthew bought some green tiles that caught his eye at Lowe’s. “I knew immediately what I was going to do with them,” he says. “Everyone thought the idea of tiling a staircase was crazy, but I told them to trust the process.”
And trust the process they did; Matthew’s husband and a friend, Sarah, actually installed the tile over a holiday break when Matthew had to work. And it seems the tile was truly meant to be, because not a single piece had to be cut to size! “The tiles across fit perfectly, and they were the exact height that we needed,” Matthew says. “The tile at first seems to make the biggest difference, but in my mind, as soon as the honey-colored wood tone was gone, the space immediately felt better,” Matthew says.
As AT’s Senior Style Editor, I cover the latest interior design trends, expert decorating ideas, and must-see home products. Whenever I’m not keeping tabs on the next TikTok “core” or buzzy IKEA collection, I’m most likely reading, online shopping, or looking for the best tacos in New York (recs are encouraged).
Before Scandinavian design became synonymous with pale wood floors and clean-lined chairs, it was a response to everyday life in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland). It developed in response to the region’s long, sun-deprived winters, shaping its emphasis on natural materials, usefulness, and bright interiors.
Beyond its cozy sense of “hygge,” the Danish concept of contented well-being, Scandinavian design is also philosophical. It reflects an investment in craftsmanship and the belief that well-made objects can — and should — improve daily living.
“Scandinavian design is known for its warmth and simplicity,” says architect Karen Frome, owner and founder of New York-based Rise Projects. “Their theory is that design should be present in all aspects of life to enrich and elevate the everyday experience. It creates a beautiful and eminently livable aesthetic, but more importantly, it maintains that design is for everyone and not a luxury commodity. ”
That democratic spirit helped make Scandinavian design one of the most influential global aesthetics of the 20th century. Namesake designers like Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Hans Wegner created pieces that weren’t just visually striking; they were also pragmatic and eternally in style. That unpretentious, practical mentality still shapes Scandinavian interiors today.
At its core, Scandinavian design is a balancing act: Simple but not sterile, thoughtful without trying too hard, and utilitarian yet not rigid. It leans minimalist in its style, yes, but softened by tactile materials and inviting textures. Most importantly, its design is defined not just by how a space looks but how it feels.
“Scandinavian design blends minimalism and warmth,” says Los Angeles-based interior designer Sarah West. “Each space is created with intentional choices that emphasize function.”
Clean lines and neutral color palettes guide the framework, while natural textures — wood, wool, leather, and linen — give the style depth.
Lived-in warmth is what differentiates Scandinavian interiors from other minimalist styles. A room may be pared back, but it’s never cold. Architect Marina Bourderonnet, founding partner of FAME Architecture & Design in Los Angeles, explains, “Scandinavian design is about coziness and the true feeling of home. It celebrates timelessness and the simple things in life: a warm wooden floor, a soft throw, light filtering through large windows. It’s the kind of space that makes you feel grounded, cared for, and at home.”
Ultimately, Scandinavian design endures because it isn’t just visually appealing; it also promotes serene spaces that enhance daily routines.
Designmuseum Danmark traces the global rise of Scandinavian design to the 1950s and ’60s, when Nordic designers introduced a warmer take on modernist design. Their approach stood in contrast to the era’s more austere interpretations that didn’t focus on comfort at all.
The Vitra Design Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Nordic modernist furniture, credits designers like Alvar Aalto — with his gently curved armchairs, iconic vases, and major institutional buildings — with shaping international perceptions of Nordic style. “He took the hard edge off the modernist movement using organic shapes, warmer materials, and a lighter palette,” Frome explains.
Today, Scandinavian design remains influential, reflected in the enduring popularity of warm minimalism, natural materials, and functional living. Design lovers across continents continue to draw on its principles. Bourderonnet attributes this staying power to how Scandinavian spaces embody “calm, comfort, and harmony,” a balance that feels both grounding and livable.
Scandinavian design may look effortless, but its visual clarity is built on a handful of core principles. These ideas anchor the style, creating spaces that are both practical and pretty.
Bourderonnet adds that Scandinavian spaces echo “the textures of the natural world,” from stone and wood to handmade ceramics. “Think of a pale oak dining table with a soft wool throw draped over a chair,” she says.
Scandinavian design is surprisingly easy to incorporate into any home, no renovation required. A few adjustments can shift a room toward the calm, warm minimalism the style is known for.
For gentle contrast, layer in accents of pale pastels. Finish spaces with a few handmade objects, like ceramics or carved wood, for additional conversation-starting character.