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Gift of the Year 2023 is open for entries
The Gift of the Year 2023 awards contest, organised by The Giftware Association (GA), was launched at the Home & Gift trade fair in Harrogate on July 17.
GA PR & marketing manager Chris Workman said: “We want to grow on 2022’s success and really boost the competition to new audiences, as well as encourage brands to enter earlier so we can highlight their great products. We have been working hard behind the scenes to create a smooth user journey on our website for entering products, and we will be reviewing sustainability through all the categories, and recruiting specialist judges for selected categories.”
With an entry deadline of November 30, the 2023 contest features 18 categories that cover the whole of the home and gift sector, and welcomes back the People’s Choice Award, where judging is opened up to endconsumers. The GA will allow entry to the People’s Choice award for all shortlisted companies.
To view the 2022 winners or to enter the 2023 awards, visit www.giftoftheyear.co.uk. For more information, contact chris.workman@ga-uk.org
Mantons Gifts & Cards raises funds for charity
The award-winning Mantons Gifts & Cards shop in Port Erin on the Isle of Man has raised more than £30,000 so far this year for charities and local organisations, through a Chris Beards with Mantons’ team members combination of running Lisa Walster, Olivia Leggate, Debbie Beards, events, donating stock and Sophie Christian and Esther Leece selling greeting cards.
Owner Chris Beards said: “We are all extremely proud to have been able to raise over £30,000 - as well as recently raising £660 for the DEC [Disasters Emergency Committee] and the Red Cross to help the people of Ukraine. We are also thrilled to have worked with and helped local organisations such as Crossroads [an Isle of Man charity that provides support to carers and people with care needs], Isle of Man Arts Council, and The Isle of Man Post Office. I would like to thank all our amazing current and previous team members and our fantastic customers who have helped make this possible.”
The Mantons team plans to keep on fundraising, helping the community and supporting new artists and small gift and greeting cards suppliers.
Maybugs opens third store
L-R: Greg Rose and John Dale
The East Sussex-based independent gift and homewares chain Maybugs launched its third store, in Bexhill-On-Sea, on July 1.
Co-founders Greg Rose and John Dale invited Bexhill-On-Sea’s Town Mayor Councillor Paul Plim to officially open the branch by cutting the yellow ribbon, alongside other local dignitaries, business owners and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce.
Greg said: “Once again, we are just stunned by the love for Maybugs! Customers were queuing to get it an hour before opening. We know our existing customer base will love the new store, as all their favourites are there, plus lots of exclusive things just for the Bexhill store.”
John added: “Maybugs is like our child, and it’s just so special to see it grow and blossom. You’d think by the third one it would get easier, but this store was particularly hard work to get ready. But with the help of our fabulous team and superb suppliers, we pulled it off! We may be a small independent business, but we like to think we can give the big shops a run for their money!”
Maybugs opened its first store in Hailsham in 2018, followed by a second branch in Eastbourne in 2021. It stocks a huge array of quality gifts, homewares, jewellery, toys, fashion accessories and fragrance from brands including Jellycat, Wrendale Designs, Sophie Allport and Carrie Elspeth, plus locally-made merchandise including soaps, artworks, greeting cards and textiles. Greg & John also own Flowers by Maybugs: a contemporary florist in Hailsham that opened in 2019.
The owner of an online gift shop opened her first bricks-and-mortar store, in the Lancashire market town of Ormskirk, on August 20.
Michelle Henriksen (pictured), who runs Personalised Gifts Ormskirk, says the shop will fill a much-needed gap in the local market for made-to-order goodies.
Merchandise comprises jewellery, T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, aprons, chopping boards, metal signs, and more - all handmade or hand-printed by Michelle, and almost every single product can be personalised to include names, special messages, or dates. The 24sqm premises includes the workshop where Michelle makes the items.
With a passion for crafting, Michelle says her gifts will offer something different to the market in Lancashire this summer, and she hopes her new venture will encourage more people to support local businesses.
Located on Burscough Street in Ormskirk town centre, the store has launched just in time for last-minute summer and autumn gifting. Christmas is also expected to be a busy period, with gifts, clothes and more on offer. Other products that customers can expect to find include babygrows, tops, coasters, beach bags and tote bags - almost all of which can be personalised.
Kushboo Soaps & Skincare
Award winning, British brand ‘Kushboo’ select and blend the finest essential oils & botanicals creating a range of exquisite 100% Natural, Vegan, Plastic-Free skincare.
Kushboo places ethical business practices & sustainability at it’s core. Initially establishing a reputation for it’s multi-award winning artisan handmade soaps, they have since expanded to include beautiful Bath & Shower Oils, Salt Soaks, Shampoo Bars & Hair Care.
The brand was founded by entrepreneur Sarwat Jaleel (pronounced ‘Ser-vet’). “My Indian parents gave me the skillset and knowledge that Nature provides for everything we need - and this is the core of Kushboo - creating skincare that puts Nature and the consideration of others central to everything. All Kushboo products are formulated, developed and made by us in-house. Every product is Vegan, Cruelty-Free, 100% Natural & all our packaging is Plastic-Free. We sustainably source from UK suppliers and use only 100% finest essential oils to create our beautiful signature scents.”
Sarwat did not set out to have a skincare business. She had previously worked as a qualified BBC Broadcast Journalist & Producer for nearly 20 years on numerous productions including BBC’s ‘Blue Peter’ working both in the live studio & behind the scenes. However, for years people had asked her about her skincare routine. “The opportunity came during a long stay in hospital” Sarwat explains. “I had a ‘lightbulb’ moment after using a bar of soap brought in by my husband. Inhaling the beautiful aromas of essential oils, I immediately felt my spirits lifted as the scent took me back to a happy childhood memory. I decided that as a way of giving back, I would begin to make the very best soap I could for a local homelessness charity as I believe soap is dignity that should be available to all. I formulated my unique recipes from the knowledge & wisdom of plant based ingredients passed down from my Indian parents.”
Very quickly, the reputation for the soap bars spread and soon stockist began to stock the soap. Today, Kushboo’s expanded range is stocked worldwide and the brand is proud to still donate a soap bar, for each one sold, to UK charities. “Every new product we launch is a product that our customers ask for - proof that they trust the brand with the knowledge that any new product will have the same ethics, values and quality as the first one.”
And if proof is needed for the nourishing and effective Kushboo formulations, then Sarwat is it’s embodiment, many being surprised on first meeting her that she is a mother of three daughters aged 25, 21 & 18.
Kushboo will be showcasing a new range at Autumn Fair & Top Drawer with more exciting products in 2023.
