Following a ‘live’ judging that took place last Thursday (January 9) at The Button Factory in Birmingham, the Gift of the Year finalists have been announced, with the winners revealed on the Inspiring Retail Stage at Spring Fair on Sunday February 2.
The finalists in this year’s competition are:
Beauty, Bath And Spa
Bathing Beauty: Gift Tin
Danielle: Oil Infused Hair Turbans
Fikkerts: Botanical Range
Kushboo Soaps: Kushboo Soaps
Branded Gift
Big Potato Games: Blockbuster
Enesco: Beatrix Potter Baby Collection
My Icon Story: Mr Men Little Miss Love Couples
Wow! Stuff: Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak
Cards And Wrap
Decorasian: Pyramid Gift Boxes
From You To Me: Wow! You’re…Birthday Books
James Ellis: Paper Shakies
Wraptious: Sophie Corrigan for Wraptious
Children’s Gift
Apples To Pears: Build A Bee Hotel
Slipfree: Slipfree Shoes
Squelch Wellies: Squelch Wellies
The Den Kit Co: The British Woodland Den Kit
Commemorative And Collectable
A Year Of Dates: Things To Do When You Are…
Moocow Studios: VE Day 75th Anniversary
Professor Puzzle: Sherlock Holmes – The Case Of The Priceless Coin
Woohooyoo: Woohooyoo
Contemporary Gift
A Year of Dates: New Parents Date Box
Nobile Glassware: Ice and Slice
Stone: Squireme
Talking Tables: Host your own Escape Room
Design And Craft
Berserks Glass: Pocket Hearts
Banjo Robinson: Banjo Robinson
Clockwork Soldier: Citygami Berlin
The Crafty Kit Company: Baby Bunny Needle Felting Kit –
Ethical Gift
Milly Green Designs: Planet Happy Giftware Range
Playpress Toys: Space Station
Stib: Children’s Earth Lover Beeswax Wraps
Tikiri: Tikiri
Fashion Accessory
My Gifts Trade: Yvonne Ellen Eclectic Glamour Beauty Range
Peace of Mind.925: PoM Recycled Polyester Scarves
Sock Academy: Donuts
Squelch Wellies: Squelch Wellies
Fashion Jewellery
Billys Beach Hut: Isla Jewellery Range
Carrie Elspeth: Spring Millefiori
Life Charms: Rosey Rabbits
Shrieking Violet: Heart Chain Bracelets with Real Flower Charm
Festive And Occasional
1 Tree Cards: Tree Planting Cards: Tree Wishes Festive Box
Talking Tables: BoHo Bride Activity Book
The Lagoon Group: Plasticine Christmas Advent Calendar
Wrendale Designs: Christmas Planner
Garden And Outdoor
Personalised Memento Company: Personalised Garden Printed Hanging Slate Plaque
Professor Puzzle: Wonderland Games Queen of Hearts Croquet
Squelch Wellies: Squelch Wellies
The Great British Card Co: Year in the Garden – Garden Planner
Gift Food
COCO Chocolatier: Twelve Bar Collection
Tom Savano Cocktails: Devon Coastal Negroni
Ross and Ross Gifts: Veggie Roast Dinner Kit
Spice Kitchen: Gin Botanicals Tin With Silk Sari Wrap
Home Accessory
Aery: Orbital Candle Holder
Flaty: Handmade Flat Candles
Parlane: Leopard Pot Hanger
Wraptious: Anatomy Vegan Suede Cushions by Sophie Corrigan
Home Fragrance
Aery: Aromatherapy Collection
Europium World: Olly
Purbeck Candles: Aromatherapy Range – Blend No. 5
Wax Lyrical: Yvonne Ellen Stacking Candles
Hot Novelty
Bubblegum Stuff: Vegan Not Vegan
Puckator: Resteazzz
The Somerset Toiletry Co: Bubble Bath & Bubble Blowing
With Creative: Animal Suitcases
Kitchen And Dining
Clayspoon: Wonki Ware
Iona Buchanan: Bread Warmer
Stone: W&P Porter Seal Tight Containers
Whispers of Wood: Wooden Bladed Cheese Knife
Pet Gift
Apples To Pears: Dog Lovers Gift Range
HayPigs!: The Haypigs! Guinea Pig Circus Range
Norfolk Industries for Disabled People: Colour in Animal Houses
Wren & Rye: BowDangle
Stationery
Busy Bee: Busy Life Planner
Hello Day: Sakana Daily Planner
Thinking Gifts: Pen Bookmark
Wild & Wolf: Yes Studio Stationery Collection
Under £10
Best Years: Fair Trade Vegetable Rattles
History Heroes: Art Game
My Little World: Airport
Sock Academy: Mini Me
“It was a fantastic year for the Gift of the Year competition,” The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward told GiftsandHome.net. “More companies than ever entered, with an increase in the number of products that were shortlisted. We also saw many more new companies entering, plus we had 41 judges this year, our largest ever judging panel. It was incredible to hear the feedback from the judges and how they were finding it hard to choose from so many quality products.”
Among the Independent gift retailer judges this year was Louise Prydderch, owner of Forget-Me-Not and Lulu Loves in Stubbington. “I especially loved judging the categories that are outside the box for me such as pet gifts,” she told GiftsandHome.net. “I took lots of photos of the shortlisted products and will be feeding back to the team.” At Alligator Pear in Tadworth, owner Maggie Thornton said: “There was a huge selection of gifts and in some categories it was difficult to choose a shortlist, as there were quite a few products that I really liked.”
Added Rachel and Paul Roberts who have three gift shops in Northamptonshire and one in Olney: “We were very impressed with the shortlisted products and there are several suppliers that we will be making contact with. It was a good edit of the best products in advance of Spring Fair.” Also full of praise was Helen Crawford, co-owner of The Old School Beauly in Beauly: “The quality was through the roof and innovation was top class.”
Other retail judges at the ‘live’ judging included John Lewis’ gift buyer Sara Allbright, Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton and Karen Ebers, owner of Something Special in Edenbridge. Returning as a judge was Sue Marks, editor Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net, sponsors of the Judges’ Choice award.
