Gianna’s Gems How Can I Make This Moment More Magical? - The Question That Transforms Everything

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Hi there,


Sorry for the brief hiatus…I’ve been BUSY…making magic. While some of it is confidential, I do want to carry that theme into this week’s Gem since it’s become a part of my daily routine to ask this magical question.

When Will Smith shared his philosophy of asking "How can I make this moment more magical?" it struck me like lightning. While I've only recently begun applying this question to my daily life, I realized I've instinctively used this approach in my event planning for years using different phrases to capture it: pain point-elimination, surprise and delight ,making the ordinary extraordinary…This question isn't just about adding sparkle, even though I love sparkle—it's about intentional presence and the commitment to elevating every experience from ordinary to extraordinary. It's about seeing potential for delight in every interaction.

The Magic Multiplier in Daily Life

When I began consciously asking myself this question throughout my day, the transformation was immediate. My morning coffee ritual went from functional caffeine delivery to a moment of mindful appreciation. I started using my favorite grandmother's china cup instead of a travel mug to remind me of her legacy, playing my favorite jazz pieces when I had a 5 minute break instead of rushing to cram in more email responses, even thinking about how I could amplify joy and delight in the the little amount of time I get to spend with my eight year old son each day.

The magic happens in these small choices:

Instead of texting a quick "happy birthday," I now send voice messages with a funny story I shared with this person in my life, or perhaps I send them a handwritten note or bouquet if I know they’d appreciate it, which leads to laughter, joy (as much for me as them), and deeper connection with the appreciation and positive memories which actually increase hormones serotonin and oxytocin in our brains. Call it selfish altruism, but it does make the world a better and more enjoyable place in which to exist!

Rather than standard dinner conversations about "how was your day," I've started asking questions like "what surprised you today?" or "what made you smile?" I took it a step further and rather than peppering my son with questions, encouraged each family member to take turns asking a question which actually empowered my son to ask questions to mu husband and I that were thought provoking and also helpful to give us perspective on what kinds of things an eight year old wants to know. Similarly, I bring out kid-themed conversation cards whenever my son has friends over for dinner. The boys love reading and answering the questions (and picking them at random). The stories that emerge from authentic interactions like this create intimacy that might otherwise remain buried beneath routine.


I turn things I have to do into things that bring joy both for myself and to others. For example, I love a “gratitude run”. I start off by running and for the full length of the first son gon my playlist, I run through everything I’m grateful for. By that point, I’m grinning, which leads me to the next part of my run which is I intentionally lock eyes and smile at everyone I pass on the street or trail. There’s a scientific fact called “mirror neurons” which cause people to “mirror” the energy and facial expression/body language of those they see, so I inevitably get people smiling. Sometimes, if running with my son, we count how many people we can get to smile during our run. It’s such a beautiful way to make the run pass quickly, improve our mood, and hopefully give someone else a positive start to their morning.


Event Magic: Creating Unforgettable Experiences

This question becomes extremely powerful when applied to events and experiences - look no further than Disney. As event professionals, we're not just logistics coordinators—we're memory architects creating metamorphosis and catharsis for those who attend our events. That’s powerful..

The Attendee Journey Transformation

Gianna’s Gem: Think about approaching every touchpoint with the question: "How can I make this moment more magical?"

Registration becomes recognition. Having staff greet attendees by name the moment they approach the check-in desk (like The Battery private club or Four Seasons Hotel staff masterfully do) immediately signals they matter. I've seen shoulders physically relax and smile when someone says, "Ms. Rodriguez! We've been looking forward to meeting you."

Transitions become experiences. Instead of allowing guests to simply move from one session to another, create hallway interactions that surprise and delight and tie into the theme of the content. Example - Google built a Gemini-Ai powered photo booth for attendees to visit at Google next right after hearing about it in the Keynote. Back when I worked at Google and the very first self driving cars were in beta pre-Waymo, we would hide golden tickets under the general session seats and those lucky attendees got to take test drives of the car during the lunch hour.

Waiting becomes worthwhile. Line-ups are inevitable, but they needn't be empty time. Here are some easy, budget-friendly examples:

  • At a financial services event, we placed QR codes on floor decals that led to one-minute investment tips, making the queue both educational and entertaining. 

  • For keynotes, I always plan an interactive pre-show with trivia, interactive or virtual reality games, or if an internal event, photos of the evening before to entertain people as they wait for the room to fill. 

  • For long sessions, I sometimes leave waters or snacks under people’s seats so they don’t feel the need to get up and leave the room mid-session.

  • At Google, I turned a large event for tens of thousands of employees into an opportunity to create a world record for “the largest yoga session” by having a yoga instructor lead the keynote room in some standing poses before the content began. 

  • Have renowned speakers at your event? Create a “library” stocked with their books where attendees can pick them up for free after the event (and as a surprise, some have autographs)

  • Departures become memorable closings. Instead of the standard "thank you for coming" email, we've created personalized video compilations showing each attendee participating throughout the event, delivered within 24 hours of the event's conclusion. 

  • For a whole chapter on these surprise and delight examples, check out my book: The Art of Event Planning or podcasts: GiannaGaudini.com/press.


The Ripple Effect of Magic-Making

The impact of this approach extends far beyond the moment itself.

For you personally, consistently asking "how can I make this moment more magical?" rewires your brain to spot opportunities for joy and connection. You become a magician of the everyday—finding enchantment where others see routine.

For event attendees, the effect is profound. When people feel seen and delighted, they don't just remember the content of your event—they remember how you made them feel. This emotional connection creates advocates, not just attendees. They share their experiences organically because remarkable moments demand to be relived.

For event organizers, the benefits multiply:

  • Unparalleled word-of-mouth marketing – People can't help but talk about magical experiences

  • Higher return attendance – Memories of magic create powerful FOMO for future events

  • Stronger participant engagement and retention – Attendees who feel special actively participate more fully and are more likely to attend your future events

  • Increased perceived value – Magic-infused experiences justify premium pricing

  • Brand differentiation – In a crowded market, being the "magical" choice sets you apart

Making Magic a Method

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn't require massive budgets—it requires intentionality. Some of the most magical moments I've created or experienced came from thoughtfulness rather than expenditure.

Start by mapping your attendee journey or your daily routine. At each touchpoint, pause and sincerely ask, "How can I make this moment more magical?" Listen to the answers that arise. Test one small magic-making idea tomorrow.

Remember that magic-making isn't about perfection—it's about presence and possibility. It's about refusing to accept that any moment must be merely functional when it could instead be memorable.

The most powerful event feedback I ever received wasn't about the celebrity speaker or the gourmet food. It was from an attendee who wrote: "For three days, I felt completely seen. Every detail made me feel like someone had thoughtfully considered how to make my experience special. I've never forgotten it."

That's the ultimate power of asking "How can I make this moment more magical?" It creates memories that linger long after the moment has passed.

What I’m Loving this week:  For all my favorite vendors, partners and products, visit: https://www.giannagaudini.com/gianna-recommends

Balloon Museum - Art You Can Experience: I took my family to a very magical experience in San Francisco a few weeks ago. Given the amount of questions about where this magical place was, sent to me from my instagram posts, I wanted to feature it here. The Balloon Museum is such a brilliant concept - it takes world class art that is interactive and all themed around air/balloons. In their words: they are committed to the work of emotions, transforming artworks into mirrors to explore the profound relationship between art and emotions, action, and reaction. This is manifested tangibly through Inflatable Art, which offers itself as a medium to express the most intimate nuances of human feelings. Through a mix of interactive installations, emotional projections, and performance art, EmotionAir aims to transport visitors on an unprecedented sensory journey.Lucky for me, it’s currently at The Palace of Fine Arts, right in my marina backyard, but for those of you visiting SF over the coming weeks/months, I’d rate this a 10/10 on the must do list (buy your tickets in advance though as there’s always a line!)

Gianna's Gems is a weekly exploration of ideas that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. If you found this valuable, please share it with a fellow magic-maker, and subscribe for more inspiration delivered directly to your inbox.

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