The GA (Giftware Association), the UK's trade body for the gift and home industry, has unveiled the winners of its 2005 Gift of the Year awards. Announced at a gala ceremony at The Savoy in London, the Gift of the Year awards were also supported by Autumn Fair Birmingham (4th-7th September 2005) and Spring Fair Birmingham (5th - 9th February 2006). The awards were divided into 19 categories, with most categories attracing their own sponsors. Details of the winners and sponsors are provided below:
Category: Celebrations
Sponsor: Tradexpo
Winner: Love Life - Talking Tables
Category: Collect It (Under £50)
Sponsor: Gifts Today
Winner: Poultry in Motion - James Winchester Export Ltd.
Category: Collect It (Over £50)
Sponsor: Gifts Today
Winner: Twiggy - Gund UK Ltd.
Category: Gifts Contemporary
Sponsor: Progressive Gifts & Home
Winner: Rosanna Tableware - World's Greatest Minds Ltd.
Category: Gifts - Traditional
Sponsor: T.H. March
Winner: Angel Kiss - Fragrance Boutique Ltd.
Category: Home Accessories - Contemporary
Sponsor: Clarion Retail
Winner: Airswitch TC - Mathmos
Category: Home Accessories - Classical
Sponsor: Streamline
Winner: Pine Cheese Larder / Shaker Cheese Larder - Paxton & Whitfield
Category: Design Led Greetings Cards
Sponsor: Focal Point
Winner: Tasty Greetings Gift Cards - Tasty Greetings
Category: Wellbeing
Sponsor: GLEE
Winner: 'Yellow' Range by Di Palomo - Unex Designs Ltd.
Category: Gift and Fashion Jewellery
Sponsor: Gift Focus
Winner: Laguna Ring Collection - Antica Murrina Venezia c/o Italy Direct
Category: Fashion Accessories
Sponsor: BJGF
Winner: Silk Bubblewrap - Margo Selby
Category: Cooking and Dining
Sponsor: Tableware International
Winner: English Eccentrics Creamware - Big Tomato Company
Category: Under £10
Sponsor: The Gift Directory
Winner: Hands Free Wine Glass Holder - AAV Plastics Design
Category: Kids Gifts
Sponsor: Giftware Review
Winner: Pull Along Pals: Clifford the Dog - Great Gizmos
Category: Licensed Gifts
Sponsor: Tradeasi
Winner: Santoro Snuggle Sacs - The Snuggle Sac Company Ltd.
Category: Art Gallery
Sponsor: Scotland's International Trade Fair (SITF)
Winner: Twists - Twists Glass Studio
Category: Made in UK
Sponsor: Autumn Fair
Winner: Little Duck - Repeat Repeat
Category: Hot Novelty
Sponsor: Copywatch
Winner: Candy G-String - Spencer & Fleetwood
Category: Mug of the Year
Sponsor: Viking Associates
Winner: Drink Selector Mug - Suck UK Ltd.
Additional support for the awards was provided by Cubelite, New York International Gift Fair, Melville Exhibition & Event Services, Caspari and Opal London. Practically the only absence from this extensive list of gift categories was corporate gifts, though who knows, sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2006 Gift of the Year awards (see foot of page for contact details) so maybe a Corporate Gift category may be added to the line up?
