Gift Awards winners take home their trophies including three for POC Member Gibsons Games
The winners of The Gift Awards 2026 – which unite The Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats Awards – were announced on Thursday 14 May at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Featuring a double bill of hosts, fashion designer Jeff Banks CBE, hosted The Greats Awards, and comedian Ignacio Lopez hosted The Gift of the Year Awards.
The Awards were attended by some 400 guests,spanning gift retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, reps and agents, who shared in the joy as the delighted winners made their way to the stage to collect their trophies.
In her welcome speech, The Giftware Association’s managing director, Gemma Sault, told guests: “It’s fantastic to see excellence across both product and retail celebrated together, as the Awards unite the two sides of our industry: the Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats. Tonight is all about recognising the talent, passion, and imagination that make this sector so special and highlights the importance of collaboration.”
Added Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net: “The bar was set exceptionally high for both The Greats Awards and the Gift of the Year Awards. Engagement was at an all-time high, with every one of our fabulous finalists excelling in their respective categories.”
The final award of the evening was The Gift Awards Outstanding Achievement Award, (sponsored by the British Allied Trades Federation, BATF), which was presented to Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net.
POC Members scooped up a number of awards on the night, including the Art File and Gibsons Games, which won an unprecedented three awards.
Alongside its sustainability accolades such as the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability and certification as a B-Corp, this recognition marks a significant moment for Gibsons, reflecting its longstanding commitment to quality, creativity and the power of play.
“Winning a Gift of the Year Award is a huge accomplishment, so we are absolutely over the moon to take home three. It’s a reflection of the care and attention our team instils into every product. We’d also like to thank the fantastic partners we work with for their trust in Gibsons to bring these wonderful products to market. 107th birthday gifts do not get much better than this!” commented Kate Gibson, managing director, Gibsons.
Gibson’s account manager, Amy Clare, sporting the three awards. Credit: Max Publishing.
Products of Change sponsored and handed out the Best Ethical & Sustainable Gift Product award, which went to the Self-Watering Ocean Pot from POTR.
The full list of winners of The Gift Awards 2026 are:
THE GREATS AWARDS 2026 – RETAIL AWARDS CATEGORIES
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London, South, South East & East Anglia (sponsored by Gift Republic)
Brand Academy, London
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands & Wales (sponsored by The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium)
KooKoo Madame, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Talbot Green
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North & N. Ireland (sponsored by Joe Davies)
The Barn At The Hollies and Hollies on the High Street, Little Budworth
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – West & South West (sponsored by Dizzy Heights Agencies)
Soukous, Bristol
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland (sponsored by The Giftware Association)
Groats Gifts, John o’ Groats
Best Newcomer Gift Retailer (sponsored by The Puppet Company/Wilberry Toys)
CAHM, Farsley
Best Specialist Multiple Retailer Of Gifts (sponsored by Boxer Gifts)
Oliver Bonas
Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts (sponsored by Paper Salad)
Morley Stores
Best Non-Specialist Retailer Of Gifts (sponsored by Talking Tables)
The Savill Garden Visitor Centre Gift Shop, Windsor Great Park
Best Garden Centre Retailer Of Gifts (1-4 centres) (sponsored by Cereria Molla 1899)
Okells Garden Centre, Tarvin
Best Garden Centre Retailer Of Gifts (5+ centres) (sponsored by Inis the Energy of the Sea)
British Garden Centres
Best In-Store/Window Display (sponsored by Gisela Graham)
Paper Tiger, Edinburgh
Best Retailer Initiative (sponsored by Candlelight Products)
Bill & Bert’s for its What’s In The Box? initiative
THE GIFT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2026 – PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Affordable Gift Product (sponsored by CardGains)
Tiny Notes A7 Notebooks from Ohh Deer
Best Beauty, Bath & Spa Product (sponsored by Top Drawer)
Tiny Town Soaps from Neon Magpie
Best Branded Gift Product (sponsored by Pembe the Pink Cat)
Fox Under the Moon Sentiment Jewellery from Joe Davies
Best Cards, Wrap & Stationery Product (sponsored by Progressive Greetings Live)
The Bouquet in a Book: Spring from David & Charles
Best Children’s Educational or Preschool Product (sponsored by PreschoolNews.net)
Fun Things To Do… Range from Pikkii
Best Contemporary Gift Product (sponsored by Spring Fair)
Flower Measuring Spoons from Sass & Belle
Best Design & Craft Product (sponsored by London International Stationery Show)
Pocket Crochet Kits from Gift Republic
Best Ethical & Sustainable Gift Product (sponsored by Products of Change)
The Self-Watering Ocean Pot from POTR
Best Fashion Accessories, Textiles & Jewellery Product (sponsored by Skylight Media)
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelets with Semi-Precious Stones from Kodes
Best Festive & Occasions Product (sponsored by Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair)
The Art File Tales of Christmas Puzzle Advent Calendar from Gibsons Games
Best Food & Drink Product (sponsored by HousewaresNews.net)
The Coffee & Croissant Club Truffle Tin from The Chocolate Gift Company
Best Games & Puzzles Product (sponsored by London Toy Fair)
The Art File Classic Games Collection from Gibsons Games
Best Garden & Outdoors Product (sponsored by Autumn Fair)
Flower Bookmarks from IF
Best Health, Well-being & Accessible Gift Product (sponsored by N Smith Packaging and Display)
Anxiety Toolkits from Sunshine Lane
Best Heritage Gift Product (sponsored by Trade Counter Distribution)
National Trust Collection from Gibsons Games
Best Home Fragrance Product (sponsored by Progressive Gifts & Home)
Carnival Collection from Zesty Lemons London
Best Home & Kitchen Gift Product (sponsored by Ambiente)
Aperitivo Spritz Collection from Rex London
Best Made In The UK Gift Product (sponsored by The Giftware Association)
Car Diffusers Collection from Rosy Roo
Best Novelty, Tech & Gadgets Product (sponsored by Sourcing Support Asia)
Zipcharger from Thinking Gifts Company
Best Pet Gift Product (sponsored by Method UK)
Dog Travel Bowls from The Little Dog Laughed
The Judges’ Choice Award (sponsored by Home & Gift, Harrogate)
