The 2016 Gift of the Year Awards had a fresh feel and designer’s eye at Spring Fair, under the helm of new Chief Executive Sarah Ward and ambassador Cath Kidston.
There were clear winners in every category, while Woking-based Ginger Ray, (right) which took The Judges’ Choice prize for its Heart Drop Guest Book Frame, did so by a convincing margin. This award is sponsored by Spring Fair.
At a special ceremony at the NEC, attended by finalists, judges, GA retail members and sponsors at the close of the opening day of Spring Fair 2016, Cath Kidston presented this coveted prize – for the outstanding product in the competition – alongside awards to the winners of all 20 categories.
As part of The Judges’ Choice prize, Ginger Ray will also be given a free stand at Autumn Fair by the competition’s headline sponsor, i2i Events Group, organiser of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair.
Sarah Ward, chief executive of The GA, commented: “A significant number of them have already been earmarked for purchase by the judges, who represent multiple retailers, garden centres, mail order, online retail and independent shops and department stores. The Gift of the Year competition is highly regarded because it is a proven way of enhancing sales.”
There was double delight for Treat Gifts, which triumphed in the Commemorative and Collectable Gifts category with its Baby Personalised Oak Photo Keepsake Box, while also winning Premium/Luxury with the Adventurer’s Personalised Sun Dial and Compass.
Carrie Elspeth also won two categories – Fashion Accessories for mycolourbands, and Fashion Jewellery with her Agate Medley Collection.
Wild-Olive took the Body, Bath and Spa prize for The Great British Bathe Off, while Paladone Products was victorious in Branded/Character for Batman Egg Cup & Toast Cutter.
Really Good (left) won the Card and Wrap category for its Showtime Cards, and Cubic Products claimed the Eco-Friendly award for Magpie The Modern Home Bamboo Trays.
The Peel the Sprout Game from Talking Tables took the Festive and Seasonal prize, while the Garden and Outdoor Living category was won by Burgon & Ball with Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball – Seed Collections.
Arora Design triumphed in Gifts for Men with The Ultimate Gift for Man, and Wraptious (third from top) claimed the Home Accessories award for its Vegan-Suede Cushions by Katherine Williams.
Wax Lyrical took the Home Fragrance prize with the Fired Earth Candle Tin in Assam and White Cedar, and Hot Novelty saw victory for the Star Wars Millennium Falcon Multi Tool from Ginger Fox.
That company called IF won the Kids category with its Teeth-Marks, with Thumbs Up claiming the Kitchen and Dining prize for its Microwave Popcorn Maker.
Vineyard Candles’ Prosecco Candle took the Made in UK prize, while The Judges’ Choice award winner, Ginger Ray, also scooped the Occasions category for the Heart Drop Guest Book Frame.
Wrendale Designs was the winner of Stationery with its Letter Writing Set, while Dunk Trading triumphed in Under £10 with the Glo Bottle Lamp.
New judge Jo Gohill, who buys gifting products, cards and stationery for Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “It’s really nice for me to find new products, new suppliers and new brands that I haven’t seen at the NEC. I’ve spotted some really good stuff, especially in the Occasions and Collectable Gifts categories, and also in Gifts for Men, which we normally struggle with. It’s been really useful.”
