2026 Finalist - Sass and Belle
We’re delighted to continue celebrating the incredible innovation within this year’s Gift of the Year Awards by shining a spotlight on one of our standout finalists.
Recognised for their creativity, thoughtful design, and strong connection to today’s gifting trends, Sass and Belle has captured the attention of the judges with their impressive products. Blending originality with purpose, their entry reflects the growing demand for meaningful, inspiring gifts that truly resonate with customers.
Company Name: Sass & Belle
Name Richard Stone
Product(s) in the Finalist: Flower Measuring Spoons
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? We’re delighted to be named finalists in not just one, but two categories in this year’s competition! This achievement reflects the creativity and dedication of our design team, who pour charm and character into every collection. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? At Sass & Belle, our promise is to provide lovable, trend-led designs to an ever-evolving gift market. Our journey began in 1998 and has been constantly developing. Nurtured by a fabulous team, with our designers at the heart, we create gifts full of charm to make customers smile.
The inspiration behind our Flower Measuring Spoons came from the continued love for botanical design and the desire to bring a sense of joy into everyday routines. We noticed that while kitchens are often the heart of the home, many functional tools lack personality and are typically hidden away. We wanted to reimagine a simple, practical item and turn it into something that could be proudly displayed - something that adds colour, character, and a touch of nature to the space.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? What makes our Flower Measuring Spoons so special is the way they seamlessly combine everyday functionality with joyful, decorative design. Rather than hiding measuring tools away in a drawer, we’ve reimagined them as a display-worthy piece - transforming a kitchen essential into something that adds personality and charm to the home.
We believe the product stood out to the judges because it delivers on multiple levels: it’s highly giftable, commercially accessible, and instantly eye-catching. Most importantly, it creates an emotional connection - people don’t just need it, they want it. The product was recently featured on a popular morning television programme as a must-have gift for Mother’s Day!
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? Our Flower Measuring Spoons are designed for the trend-conscious and fun-loving customer who wants to create elements of joy in their home. Perfect for bakers, gardeners-at-heart, and anyone who loves unique, uplifting home accessories, our Flower Measuring Spoons make an irresistible gift for birthdays, housewarmings, Mother’s Day, or simply “just because.” The sturdy construction ensures long-lasting use, while their charming design makes them a favourite keepsake that recipients will treasure.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? There is a growing desire for more meaningful, in-person connections, with people increasingly hosting themed brunches, lunches, and dinner parties at home. This shift is partly driven by cost-of-living pressures, but also by a renewed appreciation for creating special moments at home. As a result, consumers are increasingly drawn to products that help them elevate these moments—particularly playful yet functional tableware and serveware. Items such as vegetable-shaped serving pieces, characterful salt and pepper sets, and novelty kitchen accessories are performing strongly, as they bring personality and conversation into social occasions without sacrificing practicality.
Alongside this, we’re seeing a clear seasonal shift toward Mediterranean-inspired design for Spring/Summer 2026. Sardines, lobsters, citrus motifs, and coastal colour palettes are all resonating strongly, reflecting a broader appetite for joyful, escapist themes that feel vibrant, nostalgic, and easy to style at home.
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? Being shortlisted - and now named a finalist - has been an incredibly valuable moment for our brand. It’s provided external recognition of our design approach and reinforced our commitment to creating products that are both joyful and commercially relevant. Internally, it’s been a real boost for the team, validating the creativity and care that goes into every product we develop.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We are currently focused on expanding our product offering, with several new product types planned for our AW26 collection. We’re excited to introduce around six new ranges for the season, all developed with a continued emphasis on fun, design-led, yet highly functional gifting. Our goal is to build on the success of our existing collections while bringing fresh ideas to market that feel distinctive, commercially strong, and true to the playful spirit of the brand.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? Funnily enough, one of the best gifts I’ve ever received was actually one our Mojave mugs - given to me by someone who had no idea it came from my own company! What made it so special wasn’t just the product itself, but the moment. It was a genuine, thoughtful gift chosen because they felt it suited me perfectly.
