2026 Finalists -
Celebrating creativity in its most delightful form, we’re thrilled to spotlight Jo Lochhead, founder of The Crafty Kit Company Ltd, and a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards.
With a passion for making creativity accessible to all, Jo and her team have captured the judges’ attention with their Mini Matchbox Cross Stitch Range—a collection of beautifully designed, perfectly giftable kits that bring the joy of crafting into the palm of your hand. Combining simplicity, thoughtful design and a mindful making experience, these charming kits prove that great things really do come in small packages.
Company Name: The Crafty Kit Company Ltd
Product(s) in the Finalist: The Mini Matchbox Cross Stitch Range
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? It’s a real honour. As a small, independent business, recognition like this means a lot to the whole team. We put a huge amount of care into what we do, so to see that acknowledged by the judges is incredibly rewarding.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? The Crafty Kit Company is all about making creativity accessible. We design and produce craft kits from our base in Scotland, with a focus on helping people slow down and enjoy the process of making something by hand.
Our Mini Matchbox Cross Stitch range was inspired by the idea of creating something small, simple and satisfying—something you could pick up, complete, and feel proud of without needing lots of time or experience. We also wanted to design a kit that was the most 'giftable' product in our range - and I think we've achieved that, with the fun and quirky sayings on each of the kit boxes.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? The Mini Matchbox Cross Stitch range combines thoughtful design with simplicity. Each kit is compact, beautifully presented, and genuinely achievable—even for complete beginners. I think it stood out because it delivers a complete creative experience in such a small format. It’s a product that feels like a gift before you’ve even opened it.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? It’s designed for anyone who enjoys creativity—or wants to give it a try. A lot of our customers are beginners looking for an easy starting point, as well as experienced crafters wanting a quick, satisfying project. The response has been fantastic. Customers often tell us they love how achievable the kits feel, and how relaxing it is to complete something in a short space of time.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? We’re seeing a real shift towards meaningful gifting—people want to give something thoughtful rather than just “more stuff”.
There’s also a growing interest in wellbeing, mindfulness and experiences, which is where craft fits in so naturally. Sustainability and supporting small businesses are also becoming more important to customers. Personalisation continues to be a strong trend, and we're tapping into that by offering bespoke versions of our Mini Matchbox kits.
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’s already helped to raise awareness of our brand, particularly within the trade. It opens up conversations and gives buyers confidence in what we’re offering. From the awards, we’re hoping to continue building those relationships and introduce our products to even more retailers.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We’ve recently launched a new range of cross-stitch bookmark kits, which have been incredibly well-received. One major UK department store even told us they’re struggling to keep them in stock, which has been amazing to hear. We’re really excited to continue growing that range, alongside developing new designs across all of our craft kits.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? One of the best gifts I’ve received was something handmade. It wasn’t perfect, but that was exactly the point—it showed the time, care and thought that had gone into it, and that’s what made it so special.
