The Gift Awards: More Winners Reactions

A week on from the fabulous Gift Awards, which took place at London’s Royal Lancaster hotel last week (12 May), winners of both The Greats and The Gift of the Year awards are still on a high.

“Absolutely over the moon and quite shocked actually, to have won in such a big category this year,” said an ecstatic Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s in Rayleigh, who won the Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts category. “I couldn’t believe it when they read my name out, it means so much! Totally on cloud nine. I’m dedicating this award to my amazing team and my incredible staff that help me to run my business, whether it’s behind the scenes, website team, social media, my tearoom girls or shop girls. I simply couldn’t do what I do without them all,” underlined Libby.

Above: Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s, was presented with the Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts trophy by Claire Harris, founder of Talking Tables, category sponsor. — **Above**: Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s, was presented with the Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts trophy by Claire Harris, founder of Talking Tables, category sponsor.

“The stress, strains, jubilation and pride of 18 months solid hard graft, breaking down barriers and developing a new brand that we hoped would be accepted among its renowned peers came pouring out of me in one go the moment FYG was announced as the winner,” said Demi Pendakis, owner and founder of Find Your Glow (FYG), winner of the Gift of the Year’s Best Home Fragrance Product or Range. “I had to wipe my eyes before enjoying the walk up to the stage to collect the award. We feel so blessed to have been recognised,” added Demi.

Above: Above: Demi Pendakis, owner and founder of Find Your Glow (FYG), received his GOTY trophy from Kim Baker, product merchandise manager at Cardzone, category sponsor. — **Above**: Above: Demi Pendakis, owner and founder of Find Your Glow (FYG), received his GOTY trophy from Kim Baker, product merchandise manager at Cardzone, category sponsor.

Winner of the Best Commemorative, Collectable and Charitable Product or Range was Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Accessories Range from Just Trade. “We are absolutely delighted to have won, and this award is not only for us, but for all the amazing artisans we work with around the world,” said operations director Ali Cave. “It’s a privilege to have our hard work recognised by the Gift of the Year Awards – we’re pawstively buzzing!” enthused Ali.

Above: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s operations director Ali Cave was presented with her trophy by Warren Traegar, Battersea’s licensing manager. — **Above**: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s operations director Ali Cave was presented with her trophy by Warren Traegar, Battersea’s licensing manager.

For Laura Keller, co-owner of Concrete & Wax, winner of the Gift of the Year’s My Gift of All Time category, it was a pinch me moment. “Hearing our brand announced as the winner was a truly memorable moment – it was as if time slowed down. We were stunned and delighted in equal measure! We’re only just about coming down to earth!”