Entries for Gift of the Year 2016 – the UK’s premier competition for gift and home products organised by The Giftware Association – have soared by 70% compared with the same time last year.

GA events co-ordinator Chris Munns reports that suppliers have taken advantage of the special early-bird rate which gave them a 20% discount on entries submitted before mid-October.

Well-supported categories to date include Home Accessories, Gifts for Men, Kids, Under £10 and Hot Novelty.

Says Chris: “I expect us to receive the usual avalanche of entries as the December 16 deadline approaches. While that is still some time away, suppliers of products which fall into the Eco-Friendly, Premium/Luxury, Fashion Jewellery and Body, Bath & Spa categories – which haven’t yet seen a rush of entries – may feel that this is an opportunity for them to win one of our coveted awards.”

First-round online judging will take place between December 17 and January 4, with successful suppliers seeing their products going forward to the second round where a panel of retailer judges – including those from John Lewis, Ocado, V&A Enterprises, The Garden Centre Group and independent department store Jarrolds – will choose the winning and highly commended products.

The awards will be presented at Spring Fair on Sunday, February 7.