Companies that entered The Giftware Association’s prestigious Gift of the Year competition for the first time in 2013 emerged as winners of almost half the categories at this year’s awards, which were celebrated at Spring Fair International on Sunday February 3.
At a special ceremony attended by finalists, judges, GA Retail members and sponsors, Birmingham Assay Master, Michael Allchin, handed the coveted Judges Choice award to Cubic Products for its Birdy Ceramics range. As part of this prize the company will also be given a free stand at Autumn Fair International by the competition’s headline sponsor, i2i Events Group, organiser of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair.
The remarkable performance of newcomers to the competition saw them either winning or highly commended in 13 categories.
Isabel Martinson, chief executive of The GA, commented: “More and more companies now appreciate that Gift of the Year success leads to increased sales and a higher profile. We are really pleased to see suppliers that are new to the competition giving established entrants a run for their money and, in many cases, coming out on top.”
Louise Young, Managing Director, Retail, for i2i Events Group, the headline sponsor, said: “We are delighted that the majority of companies who have been successful this year – including many that are new to the competition – have chosen to exhibit at Spring Fair. This gives the winners and those who have been highly commended the opportunity to show their highly regarded products at Britain’s premier exhibition – not only at a time when they are at their hottest but when UK and overseas buyers are also looking for something that will give them that vital competitive edge in the coming year.”
The rest of the winners are as follows:
Body, Mind and Soul, sponsored by Giles Healthcare: Winner, Apple Shaped Soap (Ottoman Scent Co); highly commended, English Garden Collection (beefayre); highly commended, Waggledance Happy Collection (beefayre)
Branded/Character, sponsored by The GA’s Legal Helpline Steeles Law: Winner, Tetris Light (Paladone Products); highly commended, EAMES Office 4-Cup Espresso Gift Set (Whitbread Wilkinson/W2 Products); highly commended, Cadbury Wrapper Storage Tin (Half Moon Bay)
Collect It, sponsored by GA Costwatch: Winner, Mr Ringneck Pheasant (Dora Designs); highly commended, Old Tupton Ware Seaside Collection (Widdop Bingham); highly commended, Jubilee Gifts (The Original Metal Box Company)
Eco Friendly, sponsored by T H March: Winner, Animal Felt Slippers (Sew Heart Felt); highly commended, FSC Certified Beech Honer Board (T&G Woodware); highly commended, Penrose Apaca Pillow (Penrose Products)
Fashion Jewellery and Accessories, sponsored by The Assay Office Birmingham: Winner, Zip Earphones (ThumbsUp!); highly commended, Why Not Collection (Disaster Designs); highly commended, VW Washbags (The Monster Factory)
Garden and Outdoor Living, sponsored by Melville Exhibition Services: Winner, Matthew Rice Large Deep Garden Tray with Handles (Elite Gift Boxes); highly commended, Garden Tin for Her (giftinatin); highly commended, London Underground Children’s Play Tent (The Monster Factory)
Home Accessories, sponsored by Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide as Primary Magazine Sponsor : Winner, The Bath Map Cushion (My Place Maps); highly commended, Kakkoii WOW Speaker (Kakkoii); highly commended, iTap (ThumbsUp!)
Hot Novelty, sponsored by GA Copywatch: Winner, Silly Socks (Bluw); highly commended, Secret Agent Alarm Clock (ThumbsUp!); highly commended, Bubble Wrap Costume (ThumbsUp!)
Kids, sponsored by Ravensden: Winner, London Underground Children’s Play Tent (The Monster Factory); highly commended, 24 Sleeps til Christmas Personalised Book (Signature Gifts); highly commended, Be Safe + Be Seen – Reflective Accessories (Cari and Co)
Kitchen and Dining, sponsored by Autumn Fair International: Winner, Birdy Ceramics Range (Cubic Products); highly commended, Tea Towels and Gauntlets (Morrigan); highly commended, Ecologie (Gift Republic)
Stationery, sponsored by the NEC: Winner, Snap Sticks Photo Album (Wrap Artists); highly commended, Horrible Histories Giftware Collection (Elgate Products); highly commended, The Story of Me and My… (Life Canvas – Parragon Books)
Card and Wrap: Winner, Grandson’s 1st Birthday Noah’s Ark Card (Hallmark Cards); highly commended, Goose Greeting Cards (Cards for Art’s Sake); highly commended, Twinkle Twinkle Birthday Cards (mail@tranquilspacedesigns.com)
Gifts for Men: Winner, Ted Baker Stag and Brogue Collection (Wild and Wolf); highly commended, Dual SIM Case for iPhone 4 (ThumbsUp!); highly commended, e-Kitch Cocktail Gift Set with 1600+ Recipe Database (Creative 7)
Made in UK: Winner, Typography for Tables – Table Mats and Coasters (Bluebell 33); highly commended, Made in England Collection, from Wax Lyrical (Wax Lyrical); highly commended, Calverts Guide to the British (that company called if)
Occasions: Winner, Decadent Decs (Talking Tables); highly commended, Sunshine Bouquet (Say it Personally); highly commended, Wedding Favours (Heyland & Whittle)
Premium/Luxury: Winner, Penrose Apaca Pillow (Penrose Products); highly commended, Looking Good (Thabto); highly commended, Hand Painted Finest Bone China Bowls (CHH Design)
Under £10: Winner, Scrabble Keyrings (Wild and Wolf); highly commended, Penguin Popper (Cheatwell Gifts & Games); highly commended, Recipe Mugs (Bluw)
