The Gift of the Year Awards

The Gift of the Year Awards The most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year. Being crowned a category winner gives your business industry-wide recognition and previous entrants have seen a huge boost to their sales and revenue. The competition gives a unique platform to all that enter and welcomes all businesses, whether you are a start-up or a multinational brand. The competition has helped to elevate businesses through exposure at trade shows, our winners’ area at Spring Fair, the winners’ brochure and social media channels.

WINNER SPOTLIGHTSay hello to Zesty Lemons, Gift of the Year 2026 winners with their stunning Carnival Candle Collection!...
03/09/2026

WINNER SPOTLIGHT

Say hello to Zesty Lemons, Gift of the Year 2026 winners with their stunning Carnival Candle Collection!

Created to be more than just a candle, the collection combines beautiful home fragrance with eye-catching striped ceramic vessels inspired by vintage circus tents. Once the candle is finished, the vessel can be reused and enjoyed for years to come.

What started as a creative idea between founders Jack and Sally has grown into a thriving brand known for its design-led, circular approach to gifting. Now, their passion and innovation have been recognised with a Gift of the Year award! 

Congratulations, Zesty Lemons London and we can't wait to see what you enter this year.

WINNER SPOTLIGHT"Winning Gift of the Year is the biggest achievement for Kodes since I started the brand 11 years ago"We...
27/08/2026

WINNER SPOTLIGHT

"Winning Gift of the Year is the biggest achievement for Kodes since I started the brand 11 years
 ago"

We're delighted to feature Kodes, winner at the 
Gift of the Year Awards 2026! 🎉

Founder Carmelina created Kodes as a celebration of individuality, confidence, and self-expression. Her award-winning Aromatherapy Bracelets combine beautiful jewellery with the wellbeing benefits of essential oils and semi-precious stones.

From launching her business in London to achieving a long-held dream of winning Gift of the Year, Carmelina's journey is an inspiring reminder of what passion and perseverance can achieve. 

Head to the link in bio to read the full interview and discover what's next for Kodes. And enter today for 15% off entries using code EARLY15

     WomenInBusiness SmallBusinessUK Giftware RetailSuccess HandmadeJewellery WinnerSpotlight HomeAndGiftAssociation

Gift of the Year Winner Spotlight: Sunshine LaneFor Sunshine Lane - Emma , winning a Gift of the Year award was more tha...
13/08/2026

Gift of the Year Winner Spotlight: Sunshine Lane

For Sunshine Lane - Emma , winning a Gift of the Year award was more than just industry recognition, it was a deeply personal milestone.

After reaching the finals for a second consecutive year, founder Emma and her mum Allison, now officially a mother-daughter team, took home the award for the very first product they created together. Combining expertise in mental health, social work, and design, they developed a wellbeing toolkit that puts practical therapeutic strategies directly into people's hands.

Since their win, the response from retailers has been incredible, with new stockists quickly embracing the range and many reordering within weeks due to strong sell-through rates.

In our latest winner interview, Emma shares: 
✨ The story behind their award-winning product
✨ How the Gift of the Year win has impacted the business
✨ The importance of creating meaningful wellbeing gifts
✨ What's next for Sunshine Lane, including their upcoming Patchwork Positivity collection

Read the full interview on our Gift of the Year blog to get you inspired.

And if you're inspired by Sunshine Lane's success, entries for Gift of the Year 2027 are now open. Take advantage of our 15% Early Bird discount using code EARLY15 and put your products in front of our expert judging panel.

WellbeingGifts GreetingCards Stationery Giftware HomeAndGiftAssociation EARLY15

From a simple idea to an award-winning product...What if a bookmark could brighten a book in the same way flowers bright...
10/08/2026

From a simple idea to an award-winning product...

What if a bookmark could brighten a book in the same way flowers brighten a room?

That's exactly the thinking behind the beautiful Flower Bookmarks from IF, a product that captured the attention of our Gift of the Year judges and went on to become a winner.

In our latest winner spotlight, we speak to the team at IF about their journey from creating a wearable cardboard biplane back in 1996 to developing original gifts loved by readers around the world. They share the story behind their winning product, what the award means to their business, and what's next for the brand.

 "It's a real honour for the whole team to have one of our products recognised by a well-respected industry award."

Could your product be next?

Gift of the Year 2027 is now open for entries.

For a limited time, you can receive 15% off your entries using code EARLY15.

✅ Gain recognition from industry experts
✅ Get your products in front of buyers and retailers
✅ Benefit from extensive PR and media exposure
✅ Join an award programme trusted across the home and gift industry

Enter today: www.giftoftheyear.co.uk

Retail ProductInnovation AwardWinning SmallBusiness ProductLaunch EARLY15

The Gift of the Year competition has been successfully running for over 45 years and attracts an amazing pool of talent ...
04/08/2026

The Gift of the Year competition has been successfully running for over 45 years and attracts an amazing pool of talent from our diverse and creative industry.

The awards celebrate the best new products to market. At its heart it’s all about raising your profile, boosting your brand, and getting you in front of retail judges.

Entries are open now until November 30th and we have some exciting new categories to enter your products into too. The awards is a platform to boost your brand and elevate your produxts to the next level.

We can't wait to see your entries. ENTER NOW

From small business to Gift of the Year winner AND Judges' Choice winner, what an incredible journey!Sophie founder of R...
10/07/2026

From small business to Gift of the Year winner AND Judges' Choice winner, what an incredible journey!

Sophie founder of Rosy Roo started her business in 2023 after the birth of her daughter, creating products from home and selling at local markets. Fast forward to today, and her award-winning car diffusers are stocked in 500+ retailers across the UK.

Winning a Gift of the Year category award was an incredible achievement, but being selected as the overall Judges' Choice winner made the moment even more special.

In our latest interview, Sophie shares: 

🌟 How it felt to win Gift of the Year 
🌟 The story behind her bestselling product 
🌟 The importance of great packaging and POS 
🌟 Her journey to 500+ stockists 
🌟 What's next for the Rosie Roo brand

A huge congratulations to Rosie on her fantastic success we can't wait to see what's next! 

🔗 Read the full interview via the link in our bio.

A huge congratulations to Joe Davies and Fox Under the Moon, winners of the Branded & Licensed Gift Category at this yea...
02/07/2026

A huge congratulations to Joe Davies and Fox Under the Moon, winners of the Branded & Licensed Gift Category at this year's Gift of the Year Awards!

The award-winning collection brings Stacey McNeill's much-loved Fox Under the Moon artwork and heartfelt messages to life through beautiful giftware and jewellery designed to inspire, comfort and connect.

With meaningful sentiments at the heart of every piece, it's easy to see why this collection has captured the hearts of consumers, retailers, and the Gift of the Year judges alike. 

As Joe Davies celebrates over a century in business and continues its journey as a proudly employee-owned company, this award is a fantastic recognition of the creativity, collaboration, and passion behind the range.

Read the full winner interview via the link here -  https://www.giftoftheyear.co.uk/blog/2026-winners-joe-davies

Congratulations again to everyone involved in this wonderful partnership!

14/05/2026

Finalist Spotlight: Neon Magpie

Congratulations to Megan Hicklin, founder of Neon Magpie, and a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards with her charming Tiny Town Soaps.

Inspired by the character of towns and villages across Scotland, each soap is housed in a hand-illustrated miniature building designed to be collected and displayed to create your very own “Tiny Town” 

Handmade in small batches and full of storytelling, this beautifully crafted range is as thoughtful as it is playful.

It’s a perfect example of how design, creativity and craftsmanship can transform an everyday item into something truly special.

Join us in celebrating this unique and imaginative finalist!

Finalist Spotlight: The Chocolate Gift Company Congratulations to Zoe and The Chocolate Gift Company, finalists in this ...
14/05/2026

Finalist Spotlight: The Chocolate Gift Company 

Congratulations to Zoe and The Chocolate Gift Company, finalists in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards with their deliciously creative Coffee & Croissant Truffle Tin.

Inspired by the simple joy of a café moment, this beautifully designed, reusable tin brings together great taste, storytelling, and standout gifting.

Inside, indulgent truffles deliver the perfect treat — making it an ideal gift for coffee lovers, foodies, and those “hard-to-buy-for” recipients.

Blending creativity with quality, it’s a gift that’s not just enjoyed… but remembered.

Join us in celebrating this fantastic finalist!

Finalist Spotlight: The Wheat Bag CompanyCongratulations to Sally Moore and The Wheat Bag Company, finalists in this yea...
14/05/2026

Finalist Spotlight: The Wheat Bag Company

Congratulations to Sally Moore and The Wheat Bag Company, finalists in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards with their comforting Beddy Buddies.

These adorable plush companions are more than just cute they’re filled with a removable flaxseed bag that can be gently heated to provide soothing warmth and relaxation.

Perfect for helping little ones wind down at bedtime or easing aches and pains, Beddy Buddies are loved by both children and adults alike.

With a focus on wellbeing, comfort and natural materials, it’s no surprise they’ve received such amazing feedback from customers.

Read the whole interview here

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