Celebrating The Gift

Did you see the giant bunting display in Hall 3 at the Spring Fair – Celebrating the Gift?  The Giftware Association has been working with Vicki Thomas for over forty years, starting with her work as a design historian researching the history of the industry. She shared her findings with the Chairman of the BFGF – Morrie Janis and then The GA committee and they encouraged her to set on her Consultancy and become a member. 

The display at this year’s Spring Fair was planned to complement the Gift of the Year and the Celebration of 75 years of the Spring Fair. Vicki worked with the Hyve Team and The GA on key dates for the timeline in Hall 4.

Yet, Vicki’s display is not just a history of 40, 75 or 100 years of the industry but takes as its starting place studies that argue that giving is a social process common to all cultures, that support social cohesion, creativity and develop trading relationships. An essay by Marcel Mauss written in 1924 summoned a theory that has then been developed and discussed ever since. But strangely not amongst those involved on the gift trades.

Lincoln Exley thought he was one of the few people at the show that who knew about the studies. Now, many that saw the display were seen to be taking pictures of the panels – to mull over later. Others were interested in the idea that there are gender differences in our roles in the gift exchange process. Firms like Candlelight, BigJigs and Talking Tables and Farrar, all commented on their own shared gift industry history - although producing very different products. Sales staff from Shared Earth and buyers from garden centres understood the notion of nature or the planet as being the first giver and we ought to care for the environment in return.

 The display was near the Buyers’ Lounge where a tea party was held for the Association of Cultural Enterprises members. Several of them stopped as it resonated with them too. Glastonbury, Ironbridge, Manchester Gallery and the V&A all representing different eras and all institutions supported by patrons and funded in part by their gift shops, events and hospitality.

The Spring Fair has been for the last 75 year the key UK gift show and The GA played a key role in its foundation and continuing success. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of sales we fail as Morris Janis said, “to see the wood for the trees”. Trading gifts commercially or simply sharing a cuppa is vital to all our well-being, creative industries and economy.

So, if you have an opportunity in the next 12 month to mull over your photographs or support or attend one other events, please do so. www.yearofthegift.org.uk

 

For more information contact Vicki@vickithomasassociates.com 0207 5115767