How to Give Big Gift Energy (Even if It’s Something Small)

November 20 | 4 minute read

Words by Izzy Wight

If you’ve ever handed over a present that’s been met with (happy) tears, you’ll understand that good gift-giving is an artform. And though the goal isn’t always to make your recipient weep, the classic idiom is true – it really is the thought that counts.

Just ask Emma Kininmonth, MECCA’s resident gifting expert and Retail Innovation Manager. “I like to think deeply about the person and what would spark some joy specifically for them in that particular occasion or time of their life,” she explains.

“Whether it’s evoking a memory shared through a particular scent or tapping into their affinity for the outdoors through Flamingo Estate’s garden-inspired candles, I want the giftee to know that I have selected this particularly for them.”

Emma’s a firm believer that ticking off your list doesn’t have to mean blowing the budget – instead, it’s all about embodying Big Gift Energy (BGE) with careful curation, beautiful wrapping and personalised touches. Below, Emma’s tips for ensuring BGE, every time.

Dynamic Duos

“I think pairing two smaller items that together tell a bit of a story... it makes it feel more curated rather than just picking one slightly bigger thing,” Emma says. “This could be a sleep spray like kit:’s Good Night Pillow Mist plus Kitsch’s The Pillow Eye Mask as a bit of a wind-down routine for someone needing a bit of rest at the end of a big year. One plus one equals five – when curated well!”

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Wrap It Up

“No matter how big or small the gift, everything looks equally beautiful and special when well wrapped,” Emma says. “Engraving is also a beautiful touch if available – but if not, you can personalise through the card. This is where I like to tie back to the thought behind the gift and why it’s special for the recipient, sometimes leaving a little clue as to what they’ll find inside.” If you’re yet to visit MECCA Bourke Street, now is the time – the immersive gifting mezzanine comes complete with engraving, calligraphy, personalised name tags and seasonal wrapping stations.

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If You Have $25…

“I think anything self-care feels luxe,” Emma tells me. “And kit: does this so well.” There’s the For Gentle Hands Ornament, which features the brand’s ultra-nourishing Urban Hand Salve, or the botanical-infused Kissing Balm – a minty, moisturising treatment with a cooling metal applicator.

For a moment of indulgence – and to get their skin ready for party season – LOOPS masks come in a whole rainbow of colours and targeted skin benefits. The Weekly Reset Rejuvenating Hydrogel Face Mask leaves skin bright, bouncy and hydrated, while the Clean Slate Detoxifying Hydrogel Face Mask is perfect for skin that craves a deep cleanse.

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If You Have $50...

“A hair fragrance is a great option, as it’s usually less expensive than an EDP or EDT but offers the same beautiful scent,” Emma says. For gifting, her favourites are Gisou’s Honey-Infused Hair Perfume (with argan oil for a hit of shine) and the Vanilla Skin Hair and Body Mist from PHLUR creative director Chriselle Lim. The latter is a creamy, slightly spicy gourmand, while Gisou’s hair mist is a sweet, delicate floral.

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If You Have $100...

“Bath oils and salts are the ultimate luxury if you know someone has a bath... It’s often something they typically wouldn’t buy themselves,” Emma says. Inspired by 19th century apothecary traditions, Parisian brand Officine Universelle Buly makes beautifully scented, sensorial body products that double as decor. The Fragrant Bath Salts in Berkane Orange Blossom are soothing, refreshing and smell like fresh citrus, while the Lait Virginal Mexican Tuberose Body Milk is the most luxurious, lightweight all-over moisturiser they’ll ever use.