The Giftware Association has today revealed six finalists in each category of the Gift of the Year (GOTY) 2022 awards.
Shortlisted in the Children’s Educational and Pre-School category are the following suppliers:
ReCycleMe Kits from Inside Out Toys
Build Your Own Mini Builds from Adrenalin
Colour & Learn Heroines of History Tablecloths from Eatsleepdoodle
Eco Walking Puppets from The Puppet Company
Pop-Up Theatre Production from Fiesta Crafts
The Plantable Children’s Book from Willsow
Inside Out Toys’ ReCycleMe has also been shortlisted in the Design and Craft category, while The Plantable Children’s Book is also up for the Ethical Gift award.
Other preschool names feature elsewhere across the categories. Blade & Rose‘s Recycled Colour Changing Rain Macs are up for the Ethical Gift Award, while the company’s Peter Rabbit Collection is a finalist in the Branded Gift category.
The winners and highly commended products will be announced at The Gift Awards, to be held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 12 May, marking a significant unified step forward for the UK gift industry.
May’s ceremony will bring together the Gift Association’s Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats gift retailer awards – currently celebrating their 20th year – organised and owned by Max Publishing (publishers of Progressive Preschool magazine and Progressive Gifts & Home magazine). At the lavish event, both product excellence and retail prowess will be duly recognised and rewarded.
Gift of the Year finalists are also in with a chance of winning the Judges’ Choice award.
The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward, commented on the judging day: “It was great to back to live judging again as it was sorely missed last year. And being able to hold the judging during Spring Fair – the most important exhibition on the gift industry’s calendar – makes perfect sense.”
Sarah continued: “We are delighted that Gift of the Year 2022 has been so well supported by the whole gift community – from Hyve Group’s commitment as headline sponsor, to our strong roster of category sponsors – in addition to the widespread engagement from the suppliers who entered, and the great care and attention to detail from our enthusiastic judges. I can’t wait for everyone to celebrate together at The Gift Awards on 12 May.”
Ian Downes, director of Start Licensing, and part of the judging panel, added: “I so enjoyed reviewing all the shortlisted entries and chatting to my fellow judges. There were a few recurring themes that I noticed across the entries, most notably being a greater awareness of sustainability with regard to product development and packaging.”
To view the GOTY finalists, click here – www.giftoftheyear.co.uk/2022-category
Tickets and tables for the awards event on 12 May can be booked via the Max Publishing digital box office event at Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Createvents: clare@createvents.co.uk or 0118 334 0085.
