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The joy of giving
We speak to Belma Gaudio, Fisayo Longe and Julia Brenard on their gift tips and hosting traditions.
The joy of giving
We speak to Belma Gaudio, Fisayo Longe and Julia Brenard on their gift tips and hosting traditions.
Belma Gaudio
Founder and creative director
KOIBIRD
Belma Gaudio
Founder and creative director
KOIBIRD
What is your ideal Holiday Season and what do the Holidays mean to you?
My ideal Holiday season is being with family, in a warm place (no cold X-mas’s here), and eating great food. It’s the one time of year when I get to slow down and spend quality time with my family, watching TV, eating cake and just getting some much-needed rest!
Have you started shopping for gifts? Do you get organised in advance, or are you a last-minute shopper?
I am super organised well in advance as my gifting list is very large. I have to think ahead otherwise there is just no time, and then the stress is unbearable! I have already done half of my list!
What are the hottest gift trends this year?
Beauty and wellness tech is always on the list, like LED blankets from Higher Dose, a massaging sleep mask from Theragun, or an Oura ring! Fun homeware is always a gifting trend; fabulous wine glasses, bowls, and candles. This season, KOIBIRD has invested in fun and cute small things such as gingerbread house kits, DIY dolls, ‘boob’ chocolates. Jewellery has to be mentioned also, it’s always a hot gift trend!
What are your top 5 gifting picks from KOIBIRD?
Julia Brenard
Belma Gaudio
Founder and creative director
KOIBIRD
ORNAMENTAL BY LAMEICE
Dreamlike Wine Glass
L'OBJET
Haas Poker Set
GAETANO PESCE
Handmade Extra Colour Vase
AREA
Crystal Bow Mini Dress
PANCONESI
Lido Diamanti Earrings
What makes a good gift?
Something unique, different, and special but also useful! I hate throwaway things. I like to think about what the person may need, what they wouldn’t buy for themselves and what would make them giddy to receive.
Can you share some ideas for unique gift wrapping?
I have taken a wallpaper design in my house and made it into wrapping paper so the person knows which house the gift is coming from. Becomes a bit of a signature.
What makes KOIBIRD’s gift curation so unique this year?
I really LOVE our gift curation every year. We try to source fun, special items that when gifted will be the stars of the show for many years to come. They are unexpected, colourful and joyful
What are your favourite picks from the KOIBIRD homeware edit, to jazz up your holiday table?
What makes a good gift?
Something unique, different, and special but also useful! I hate throwaway things. I like to think about what a person may need, what they wouldn’t buy for themselves and what would make them giddy to receive.
Can you share some ideas for unique gift wrapping?
I have taken a wallpaper design in my house and made it into wrapping paper so the person receiving knows which house the gift is coming from. Becomes a bit of a signature.
What makes KOIBIRD’s gift curation so unique this year?
I really LOVE our gift curation every year. We try to source fun, special items that when gifted will be the stars of the show for many years to come. They are unexpected, colourful and joyful.
What are your favourite picks from the KOIBIRD homeware edit, to jazz up your holiday table?
&KLEVERING
Pretzel Jar
ORNAMENTAL BY LAMEICE
Dreamlike Wine Glass
GAETANO PESCE
Ice Bucket
ORNAMENTAL BY LAMEICE
Dreamlike Jug
L'OBJET
Haas Cake Stand
And for the big question: Were you naughty or nice?
A little bit of both! I like to keep Santa on his toes.
Fisayo Longe
Influencer and founder of KAI collective
And for the big question: Were you naughty or nice?
A little bit of both! I like to keep Santa on his toes.
Fisayo Longe
Influencer and founder of KAI collective
What is your ideal Holiday Season and what do the Holidays mean to you?
My ideal holiday season is to spend Christmas at home with my family and then travel somewhere tropical with clear blue waters immediately after, to celebrate the New Year.
How do you go about choosing a gift? Do you start with a list?
I write a list of the people I need to buy gifts for and spend a very long time thinking about what to get each person. The gift must be personal to the person and something they actually want so if I’m stuck, I just ask them what is on their wishlist.
What are your top 5 gifting picks from KOIBIRD?
Belma Gaudio
What is your ideal Holiday Season and what do the Holidays mean to you?
My ideal holiday season is to spend Christmas at home with my family and then travel somewhere tropical with clear blue waters immediately after, to celebrate the New Year.
How do you go about choosing a gift? Do you start with a list?
I write a list of the people I need to buy gifts for and spend a very long time thinking about what to get each person. The gift must be personal to the person and something they actually want so if I’m stuck, I just ask them what is on their wishlist.
What are your top 5 gifting picks from KOIBIRD?
FLAMINGO CANDLES
I'm Not Bossy I Am The Boss Deskplate
FREDERICKS AND MAE
Playing Cards
CHOC ON CHOC
Boob Chocolates
&KLEVERING
Coupe Spiral Glass
&KLEVERING
Rectangular Braided Photo Frame
How long do you have to date someone, to get them a gift?
For me, not long at all. It’s all about the connection and depth of the relationship. If I like you and we have what feels like a safe, respectful relationship, and I see something that reminds me of you, I am getting it! Even if I’ve only known you for a month.
Can you share some ideas for unique gift wrapping?
For my boyfriend’s 30th, I wrapped his gifts in custom wrapping paper that was made of photos of both of us- that was cute. Recently, I love wrapping gifts in the same colour but with different textures. So, black wrapping paper with black velvet ribbons and completed with a metallic accent- that sort of thing!
What is your favourite holiday dish/cocktail/song?
I love a Nigerian feat- jollof rice, chicken, plantain, the whole works! And my aunt used to make the best pineapple crumble and custard- I crave that every Christmas.
Are you a Holiday Hostess? Are you planning a dinner party this season?
I think I will be a hostess when I have a bigger home and lots of hands to help! I was in Houston for Thanksgiving with my boyfriend’s family last year and it was so much fun to cook together. In London, I just don’t have enough space to host and have everyone over comfortably. I am in Houston this Christmas and I am so excited to have a repeat of last Thanksgiving.
What are your favourite picks from the KOIBIRD homeware edit, to jazz up your holiday table?
ORNAMENTAL BY LAMEICE
Dreamlike Jug
L'OBJET
Haas Cheese Louise Boards
MARIE DAAGE
Hand Painted Plates
GAETANO PESCE
Handmade Indian Summer Vase
WAVEY CASA
Eco Soy Oh Shit Candle
What is your most magical festive memory?
Every Christmas as a child when my nuclear family was still together- it was being too excited to sleep, and waking up super early to open gifts. We ate and watched Disney movies all day. Those were the best times!!
And for the big question this year: Were you naughty or nice?
I was naughty, of course. Nice girls don’t get the corner office. Always kind but never nice.
Can you share some ideas for unique gift wrapping?
I have taken a wallpaper design in my house, and made it into wrapping paper so the person knows which house the gift is coming from. Becomes a bit of a signature
What makes KOIBIRD’s gift curation so unique this year?
I really LOVE our gift curation every year. We try to source fun, special items that when gifted will be the stars of the show for many years to come. They are unexpected, colourful and joyful
And for the big question: Were you naughty or nice?
A little bit of both! I like to keep Santa on his toes.
Julia Brenard
Contributing fashion editor
British VOGUE
Julia Brenard
Contributing fashion editor
British VOGUE
What is your ideal Holiday Season and what do the Holidays mean to you?
I love starting the season with all the glitz and parties and ending it surrounded by close friends and family. It’s a time to bring everyone together, a time when a little excess isn’t frowned upon and everything is a little more sparkly.
Have you started shopping for gifts? Do you get organised in advance, or are you a last-minute shopper?
I'm usually a no Christmas until December person as I like to save it all for that month but with a new baby arriving before Christmas, I am having to be a little more organised this year!
What are the hottest gift trends this year?
Interiors! Who doesn’t want to add lovely pieces to their home? And sparkle, whether fashion or homeware, since lockdown everyone is unashamedly going for glitter.
What are your top 5 gifting picks from KOIBIRD?
&KLEVERING
Puff Jar
FLAMINGO ESTATE
Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil
&KLEVERING
Coupe Spiral Glasses
SLEEPER
Cosmos Lounge Set
&KLEVERING
Onda Candle Holder
Is there a memorable gift you have given someone?
I gave all my bridesmaids Completed Works inflatable initial necklaces and it brings me joy everytime I see them wearing them.
Can you share some ideas for unique gift wrapping?
I always wrap my Christmas presents in brown paper (from the post office!), much better for recycling. Then tie with a mixture of white, green & red ribbon and add some foliage like dried rosemary leaves or gold sprayed twigs. I like to throw in a few striped paper presents as well as they look so good under the tree.
What is your favourite holiday dish/cocktail/song?
My favourite holiday dish is a smoked salmon terrine, I like to snack on it pre-Christmas then boxing day and beyond! I miss cocktails! Nothing feels as chic as a gin martini by the tree. Song has to be Mariah Carey - blasted out very loud several times a day.
Are you a Holiday Hostess? Are you planning a dinner party this season?
Are you a Holiday Hostess? Are you planning a dinner party this season?I love having a Christmas dinner party while all the decorations are up however with Christmas looking a little different this year it will have to be more of a drop-in for nibbles & mulled wine/glogg invite.
What are your favourite picks from the KOIBIRD homeware edit, to jazz up your holiday table?
GAETANO PESCE
Handmade Resin Placemats
ELIZABETH LAKE
Martini Cocktail Napkins
KIM SEYBERT
Glam Knot Napkin Rings
SERENA CONFALONIERI
Calypso Flute Glasses
