Greeting card and stationery suppliers including Stormy Knight, Ohh Deer, Joe Davies, and Belly Button Designs have made it onto the shortlist for the Gift of the Year 2026
The Giftware Association unveiled the shortlist. The trade body said: “After an incredible response from the home and gift industry, our panel of over 115 expert judges has spent weeks reviewing hundreds of entries to select the most innovative, inspiring and commercially brilliant products across all categories.
“Judges described the process as one of the toughest yet, with standards soaring and competition fiercer than ever. From clever design solutions to trend-setting gifts, these products represent the very best our industry has to offer.”
The shortlisted products now move forward to the live judging round, which takes place during Spring Fair, held at the NEC in Birmingham from February 1 to February 4. This round gives the panel the chance to see, touch, and experience the products in person, and is also a fantastic opportunity for brands to shine.
With thousands of buyers, retailers, and industry professionals attending Spring Fair, the shortlisted products will be showcased to a massive audience at one of the biggest events in the home and giftware calendar.
Winners will be announced at the Gift Awards 2026: a glamorous black-tie celebration held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel in May.
The Giftware Association PR & marketing manager Chris Workman commented: “The Gift of the Year competition continues to highlight the incredible creativity and passion within our industry. This year’s entries have raised the bar yet again, and we can’t wait to see the shortlisted products shine at Spring Fair and beyond. Good luck to all our entrants – we look forward to celebrating with you at the Gift Awards in May!”
For the full shortlist and the latest updates, visit www.giftoftheyear.co.uk
Category shortlists include:
Cards, Wraps & Stationery
Audiobook In A Card Spiracle Audiobooks
Big Mouth Automatic Bookmark Thinking Gifts Company
Designworks Ink A Dopo! Designworks Collective
Flower Pot Pencil Sharpener WITH Creative
Fox Under The Moon Meaningful Stationery Collection Joe Davies
Pencilmark Thinking Gifts Company
Pressed & Posted Letterpress Cards Stormy Knight
Rainbow Dachshund Markers Kikkerland Europe
Recycled Sari Gift Wrap Namaste
Tea Round Tags IF
The Bouquet in a Book: Spring David & Charles
V&A Neon Floral Stationery Ohh Deer
What’s The Cat Up To Notes Pikkii
Affordable Gifts
Art & Crafts Egg tins filled with Chocolate Eggs Elite
Birthday Interview Books Pretty Perfect Products
Boxed Ceramic Decoration Belly Button Designs
Cat, Sloth & Capybara Screen Cleaners Gift Republic
Grab and Go Play Activity Cards UnderSky
Mini Matches (Football, Golf, Rugby) Pikkii
Mystery Guides Mystery Guides
Pencilmark Thinking Gifts Company Ltd.
Pretty Little Birds Wild Things
Tiny Notes (A7 Notebooks) Ohh Deer
Warmies Mini’s Warmies
You’re my Lobster The Chocolate Gift Company
Festive & Occasions
Audiobook in a Card Christmas Collection Spiracle Audiobooks
Blade & Rose – Halloween Collection Blade & Rose
FESTIVE TREATS Wild-Olive
Festive Trivia Baubles (range) Pikkii
Fold Your Own Christmas Tree Pikkii
Icons Christmas Jumpers Widdop & Co.
Pop-out Christmas Bauble Cards Stormy Knight
Santa Tracker Advent Calendar With Activity Cards Designer Kids and Baby
Stitched Christmas Tree Decoration Kit Cotton Twist
Tales of Christmas Puzzle Advent Calendar Gibsons
The 1% Club Christmas Crackers Puzzle Post
The Brussel Sprout Game Pikkii
The Cosy Collection The Tipsy Candle Co.
UK + Ireland Countries Glass Hanging Books Heaven Sends
