There was great cause for joy at Dublin-based greeting card company Alljoy Design, the sun was definitely shining down on Blue Eyed Sun while Go La La owners Laura Kavanagh and John Higgins went ‘la la’ as all clinched wins in Gift of the Year (GOTY) awards. Organised by the Giftware Association, the awards event took place virtually during this week’s Spring Fair@Home.
Alljoy Design won the Card & Wrap category for its innovative 3D Message in a Bottle range.
“We are so thrilled! We really did not expect this – but it definitely brightens up the days during this time and proves that hard work pays off.☺️ We would really like to thank all the customers who have supported us through the years and like our cards – it means a lot to us,” commented Lingxiao Ji, director of Alljoy Design.
Meanwhile for Blue Eyed Sun and Go La La it was actually their non-greeting card products that were feted in the GOTY awards.
Blue Eyed Sun swept the board, winning an impressive five awards. The company’s Bioloco Loop water bottles won the Contemporary Gift and People’s Choice categories; the Bioloco Plant Kids Bottles won the Ethical Gift category; the Bioloco Plant Lunch Box won the Kitchen & Dining category while the Bamboo Cup by Chic.Mic won the Own Label category.
Commenting, Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun said: “It’s been incredible to have such a positive reaction to our latest products. To win five awards after not having won at the Gift of the Year awards since 2003 has just blown us away. Thanks to everyone who voted for us.”
What started as a bit of fun B2C project during the first lockdown for Go La La husband and wife team Laura Kavanagh and John Higgins has seen their Filthy Gorgeous soap range win two Gift of the Year awards, cementing plans to further expand the brand.
After promoting the funny soap bars on social media, Go La La found increased contact from shop buyers wanting to stock their humour product despite the difficult trading circumstances.
“Buyers recognised the great credentials of these bars; ethical and natural to which we applied our irreverent brand of humour. They really are uplifting in every sense!” sums up Laura.
‘When we heard we’d be shortlisted in two categories of the Gift of the Year and then made the finals for the Novelty category, we were blown away. We then learned we’d won the Novelty category and were more than ecstatic! But then soon after that, we were told that we’d secured the top prize and won the Judges’ Choice award. The celebrations haven’t really stopped since!”
The couple have been so blown away by the wins that they have been driven to sing about it!
Click below to see Laura and John full of voice…
The themes of care, gifts that give back, sustainability, helping others and protecting the environment were the key trends throughout the last year and were evident in the types of gifts that were entered and performed well in the GOTY awards. They included jigsaws that gave back to charity, vases that encouraged us to plant more trees as well as gifts and kits that can be posted to loved ones for birthdays, baking and crafting.
The full list of GOTY winners are as follows…
Cards & Wrap
Alljoy Design: Message In A Bottle Pop Up Cards
Beauty, Bath & Spa
The Candle Brand: The Burn & Bloom Candle Collection
Contemporary Gift
Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Loop
Stationery
Thinking Gifts Company: Bookworm Lights
Children’s, Educational and Pre-School
Whiz Kid Games: Passport To Genius
Novelty
Go La La: Filthy Gorgeous Soaps
Commemorative, Collectable and Charitable
Gibsons Games: Rainbow Heroes In Aid Of Samaritans Charity 500 piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Design & Craft
Fizz Creations: Hyper Jungle Paper Heads
Ethical Gift
Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Plant Kids Bottle
Fashion Accessories
Carrie Elspeth: Stay Safe Sentiment Bracelets
Branded Gift
Hacche Retail: Richard Osman’s House of Games
Festive & Occasions
Gibsons Games: Christmas Around the World Jigsaw Advent Puzzle
Food & Drink
The Bottled Baking Co: Baking Mixes
Home and Garden
Ilex Studio: Avocado Vase
Home Fragrance
The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser
International
Julia Gash: Julia Gash
Kitchen & Dining
Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Plant Lunch Pot
My Gift of All Time
The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser
Own Label
Blue Eyed Sun: Bamboo Cup by Chic.Mic
Pet Gift
Wren & Rye: Pawbles
Under £15
Craft + Crumb: Birthday in a Box
Tech & Gadgets
Fizz Creations: Make Your Own Tech
Judges Choice Award
Go La La: Filthy Gorgeous Soaps
The People’s Choice award
Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Loop
This year’s competition attracted over 700 entries, with over 6,000 members of the public voting for the inaugural People’s Choice award.
Top: One of the Message in a Bottle pop-ups from Alljoy Design.
