The Giftware Association is extremely excited to announce the winner of our very first Gifts of Hope Competition as ‘Dragonfly Dichroic’ with their beautiful mini glass rainbows. The rainbows were designed and made by founder Ann Maitland to help raise money for a local care home and support the UK during the ongoing health crisis.

Ann says of the product “My 15 year old and I were both starting to struggle with lockdown so we came up with a ‘let’s cheer ourselves up’ project. We took the scraps of glass left from making the larger rainbows I’d launched in September, and made sets of two for friends and relatives which we posted or delivered by hand.” She continues “We gave about 100 away but so many people got in touch asking for them that we decided to make some to sell while donating 25% of retail sales to Strathcarron and so far have donated enough money to run the hospice for 48 hours.”

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The Competition which ran for the month of June, highlighted all the great work giftware suppliers were doing during the health crisis. Whether that was raining money for charities, key workers or care homes or giving back to community with profits from their products and ranges. 20% of each entry fee went to charity of the entrants choosing and we have so far given money to 12 different charities including NHS Charities Together, Mind and St Johns Ambulance.

Judged by buyers, retailers and industry experts, who had their work cut out with the amount of great products entered. Tabi Marsh from Papilio Heritage said “A fantastic range of products” and Samantha Swain former buyer for Lakeland and retail consultant said “I've loved looking through the wonderful contenders. Some fantastic products!  Made me quite emotional"

The winners will receive ongoing promotion through all the GA channels, trade Press and throughout out the Giftware community. They will also be included in the main Gift of the Year awards held at Soring Fair 2021 receiving a special trophy and a place in the coveted winner’s brochure.

Sarah Ward said of the competition “We are extremely happy to have a winner from what has been a competition born out of a crisis. During the first months of Covid-19 we were seeing so many great products that gave back so we are happy that its gone to such a beautiful product, with a touching back story, though all the products are to be celebrated”

Gift of the Year will be back in July as when we will be accepting entries into our main competition with a few key changes which we are excited to announce soon.