Gift Smarter, Not Harder: How MECCA's Finance Team Masters the Holidays

November 26 | 5 minute read

Words by Izzy Wight

If you’re anything like me (read: a hedonist), the holidays make for the perfect excuse for no-holds-barred indulgence. Extravagant gifts, spontaneous getaways and second (third, fourth) helpings of dinner are the name of the game. Who am I to deny the festive spirit?

As a self-professed December Over-spender, I'm determined to find a world in which I can treat myself – and my loved ones – without spiralling into debt. So, in the name of protecting my holiday ROI, I enlisted MECCA’s Finance Team for some expert insight. Read on for the gifting portfolio tweaks I’ll be making this season.

Stick to the limit

“I always go into the holiday season with broad bands around what I’d like to aim to spend,” says Sharon, MECCA’s Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. “What generally helps is having a few Kris Kringle or Bad Santa-type events with family and friends and having a strict spending limit to work with.” Once you know what you’re aiming to spend, Sharon recommends shopping via the ‘Gifts by Price’ page on the MECCA website “so you’re not tempted by other products outside of your price range.”

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/I-077152-I-077152-M1-KORRES-MidnightDahliaShowergel-31Zl0qbS2q7Pqi4WLgdnA.jpg?v=03fc10a0

Once your limit is set, it helps to have a few reliable, crowd-pleasing ideas up your sleeve – especially for giftees you don’t know well (think: the Kris Kringle colleague you’ve never actually spoken to). “I find what usually works best is splurging on an everyday item... rather than on something niche,” Sharon says. “For example, a bougie hand or body wash.” As MECCA’s most popular scent of 2025, Korres’ Midnight Dahlia Showergel is a universally appealing pick for anyone who loves a fruity–floral blend. And for those who lean toward something more masculine, Le Labo’s fresh, forest-y Hinoki Hand Soap will take their handwashing experience to the next level.

Set yourself up

You’ve heard of ‘girl math’ – now it’s time to master ‘gift math’. For Bella, MECCA’s Commercial Business Partner, it’s all about understanding the value built into a gift set (or, even easier, checking the ‘valued at’ price on the Value Sets edit page). “Gift sets are cost-effective because you get multiple products for less. It makes giving more without overspending incredibly easy,” she says. Kiehl's Head To Toe Hydrators Set, for example, delivers generous sizes of the brand’s nourishing, skin-loving essentials – at a saving of $62 compared to buying each item individually.

“I'm always happy to splurge on value sets,” says Sarah, MECCA’s Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. “It's worth it to pay that little bit extra now and still feel like you’re saving. As busy mums, I love to gift my sister holiday skincare sets where at least one item is a loved favourite, she can restock and try out something new.” Maybe you’ve spotted Tatcha’s beloved Dewy Skin Cream on their bathroom shelf – the brand’s Hydrating and Plumping Set is the perfect way to help them build out a routine for bouncy, hydrated skin.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-080012-m1-kiehls-headtotoehydrators-wFmuFTE4TFGQ2AmUuM046A.jpg?v=7ea4f1cf

If you really want to impress, Bella recommends a fragrance discovery set. “It feels fancy, fits the budget and gives them the chance to find their next signature scent,” she says. Grace, MECCA’s Commercial Analyst in the Merchandise Team, seconds this sentiment. “A mini of someone's favourite fragrance or even picking a new one to try is always super impactful,” she tells me. “It shows you know them well.” Packed with eight of their bestselling scents, PHLUR’s Discovery Set ranges from edible gourmands to green, earthy blends, while Dries Van Noten’s Collection Modepaleis Discovery Set features the kind of artfully designed fragrances they’ll want to keep on display.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/I-068248-I-068335-a3-DriesVanNoten-ModepaleisDiscovery-1OHbI7lRYC5Q3rZorpcaw.jpg?v=9ac09018

Pick your splurge moments

Finally, Grace recommends starting with your biggest purchase and working backwards. Do your research, choose your 'splurge moments’ carefully and opt for something that will bring lasting joy as opposed to instant gratification (like DIPTYQUE’s Set of 5 Miniature festive Candles – the gift that keeps on burning). “A splurge is always worth it when you know the person will love the gift,” she says. If you’re hesitant to bite the bullet on a big present, it’s always worth heading in-store for some expert MECCA guidance.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/I-078968-I-078968-M1-Diptyque-5MiniatureCandleSet-Rskmm5sVStmoGzGXYQodw.jpg?v=2ada9d9b

Once you’ve wrapped up your big-ticket gifts, you can move on to the smaller stocking stuffers – and where better to do that than the MECCA Mini Mart? For petite presents of all kinds, you can head to the one-stop mini shop in Melbourne Central, or explore the edit online. "Putting together a few minis adds variety to a gift without increasing the cost,” Grace says. “A great way to make a gift more exciting!”