James Ellis, Wraptious, Wrendale And 1 Tree Cards Among The Finalists Of Gift Of The Year

James Ellis’ Paper Shakies cards, Wraptious’ Sophie Corrigan range, 1 Tree Cards’ Tree Wishes Festive Box and Wrendale Designs’ Christmas planner are among the product ranges to have reached the finals of the Gift of the Year 2020, the Giftware Association competition.

The winners of all the 20 product categories as well as the Judges’ Choice accolade will be revealed on the Inspiring Retail Stage at Spring Fair on Sunday February 2.

Above: GOTY spans 20 different product categories as well as a special Judges’ Choice award.
Above: GOTY spans 20 different product categories as well as a special Judges’ Choice award.

To arrive at the finalists, some 41 judges (including retailers, media specialists and industry experts) carefully considered the shortlisted products that were displayed at the judging event, held at The Button Factory in Birmingham, last Thursday.

And here are the finalists…

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

Stationery

Busy Bee: Busy Life Planner

Hello Day: Sakana Daily Planner

Thinking Gifts: Pen Bookmark

Wild & Wolf: Yes Studio Stationery Collection

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

Ethical Gift

Milly Green Designs: Planet Happy Giftware Range

Playpress Toys: Space Station

Stib: Children’s Earth Lover Beeswax Wraps

Tikiri: Tikiri

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

 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

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

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 –

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

Beauty, Bath And Spa

Bathing Beauty: Gift Tin

Danielle: Oil Infused Hair Turbans

Fikkerts: Botanical Range

Kushboo Soaps: Kushboo Soaps

 Commemorative And Collectable

A Year Of Dates: Things To Do When You Are…

Moscow Studios: VE Day 75th Anniversary

Professor Puzzle: Sherlock Holmes – The Case Of The Priceless Coin

Woohooyoo: Woohooyoo

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

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

Under £10

Best Years: Fair Trade Vegetable Rattles

History Heroes: Art Game

My Little World: Airport

Sock Academy: Mini Me

Above: James Ellis’ Paper Shakies have reached the finals of GOTY with its Paper Shakies range.
Above: James Ellis’ Paper Shakies have reached the finals of GOTY with its Paper Shakies range.

“It was a fantastic year for the Gift of the Year competition,” The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward told PG Buzz. “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.”

Above: Part of the product display of Gift of the Year short-listed products.
Above: Part of the product display of Gift of the Year short-listed products.

Among the Independent gift retailer judges this year were Retas winners, 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,” they told PG Buzz.

Above: Sarah Ward, ceo of the GA at the GOTY Judging.
Above: Sarah Ward, ceo of the GA at the GOTY Judging.

Louise Prydderch, owner of Forget-Me-Not and Lulu Loves in Stubbington was also full of praise. “I especially loved judging the categories that are outside the box for me such as pet gifts,” she said. “I took lots of photos of the shortlisted products and will be feeding back to the team.”

Above: Some of the paper products that judges could consider.
Above: The judging process.

Other retail judges on the panel included John Lewis’ gift buyer Sara Allbright; Tabi Marsh, owner of Papilio at Heritage, Thornbury and Karen Ebers, owner of Something Special in Edenbridge.  Sue Marks, editor Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net, sister publication/news site of PG/PG Buzz was also a judge while the publication is sponsor of the Judges’ Choice award. www.ga-uk.org

Above: Judging in process.
Above: Some of the paper products that judges could consider.

Top: There were 41 judges for the Gift of the Year, who selected their favourites from the short-listed products.

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