2026 Finalist - Charlie & Ivy's
We’re delighted to spotlight Charlie & Ivy’s, finalists in this year’s Gift of the Year awards, with their beautifully considered Bread Dipper Tasting Set.
Founded in 2014 and still proudly based on the family farm on the Yorkshire Wolds, Charlie & Ivy’s is a family-run British brand built on quality, provenance and the joy of sharing good food. Named after the founders’ children, the brand has carved out a loyal following by creating products that elevate everyday moments into something special.
Company Name: Charlie & Ivy's
Product(s) in the Finalist: Bread Dipper Tasting Set
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? It feels amazing! This is the first year we have entered, and to be a finalist is just incredible. It's a credit to our wonderful team who work so hard to create products that people will love and enjoy.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? Charlie & Ivy's was launched in 2014, with a view to bring people a British oils range that elevated their everyday. At it's core Charlie & Ivy's is a family business, still based on the family farm on the Yorkshire Wolds and named after the founders children.
The Bread Dipper Tasting Set came from an idea of togetherness, sharing food and creating something uniquely different for people to gift and enjoy. A homegrown tasting experience in every sense of the word.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? I would hope the quality and provenance of the product stood out, but also the experiential aspect of the gift. Whether sharing with friends and family, or using it across many different occasions, the opportunities for using this gift are endless.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? This gift is our best seller online, and we see it being gifted to a wide range of people. It targets not only foodies, but those who love cooking and entertaining too. We have had brilliantly positive views across platforms like Not on the High Street and QVC. It sells across demographics and is a really inclusive gift.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? I think people are looking for stand-out gifts with a difference. The gifting scene is very competitive at the moment, and I think people are looking to step away from the norm. I think there is also real support for smaller independent brands that step away from the mass-produced industry. We also see an additional interest from consumers in sustainability and quality.
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist, impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? It has been an excellent platform for us to reach a broader audience, both with the showcase at Spring Fair, and the additional PR we have been able to share about becoming a Finalist. It is something that we will certainly promote both through our consumer and trade comms, and really positively highlights our products when pitching to our trade customers.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We are constantly looking to improve and build on our gifting range and our standard product range. Our mission is to continue to grow our brand to reach more people and continue to bring people together through delicious food!
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? I think the best gifts are ones that have been truly thought through. Sometimes a jar of homemade jam, a thoughtfully chosen recipe book, or a favourite plant for your garden. For me, it's about getting away from the 'stuff' and receiving something you can use.
