2026 Finalists - Cotton Twist
We’re delighted to sit down with Anne-Clare Ribbons, founder of the beautifully mindful craft brand Cotton Twist, whose Solar System Craft Kit and Stitched Christmas Tree Decoration Kit have both earned a place as finalists in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards. Known for their sustainable, design-led approach to children’s creativity, Cotton Twist has captured the hearts of families and judges alike with products that blend imagination, learning, and thoughtful making. In this interview, Anne-Clare shares the inspiration behind their standout kits, the values driving the brand, and what this recognition means for their small but passionate team.
Company Name: Cotton Twist
Product(s) in the Finalist "Solar System Craft Kit" and "Stitched Christmas Tree Decoration Kit"
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? It feels incredibly rewarding to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards. As a small, design-led business, so much care goes into every detail of our products - from the creativity of the activity to the sustainability of the materials. To have that acknowledged by the industry means a great deal. It’s a real moment of pride for our team and a lovely reminder that thoughtful, plastic-free gifting continues to resonate with both judges and customers alike.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? Cotton Twist is a UK-based brand creating thoughtfully designed craft kits and small gifts for children. We focus on encouraging creativity, imagination, and mindful play, all whilst keeping sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our products are eco-friendly and packaged with care, making them as appealing to gift-givers as they are engaging for children.
The inspiration behind our products comes from a desire to offer meaningful alternatives to throwaway toys — something children can enjoy making as well as keeping. We’re inspired by nostalgic, hands-on crafting and the joy it brings, combined with a modern focus on design and eco-conscious materials. Each kit is created to spark creativity, build confidence, and provide a sense of achievement.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? Solar System Craft Kit: What makes this product special is the way it beautifully combines creativity, learning, and sustainability in one engaging activity. The Solar System Craft Kit invites children to build their own solar system using tactile, high-quality materials like engraved wooden shapes and watercolour pencils, turning a simple craft into an immersive, hands-on experience. It’s not just about making - it’s about discovery. At the same time, the finished piece becomes something to proudly display, giving the activity a lasting sense of achievement rather than being quickly discarded. We also think its strong sustainability message helped it stand out. It is entirely plastic-free and thoughtfully designed to move away from throwaway toys, offering a more mindful gifting option without compromising on play value. It’s that balance of creativity, education, and conscious design that makes the product feel both meaningful and memorable, and likely resonated with the judges.
Stitched Trees Decoration Kit: This kit brings together creativity, tradition, and sustainability in a really meaningful way. It invites children to slow down and create something by hand - stitching, threading and decorating their own wooden ornaments, which adds a sense of care and craftsmanship that you simply don’t get with ready-made decorations. The process itself is just as important as the end result, encouraging focus, fine motor skills and mindful, screen-free play, while the finished decorations become keepsakes that can be brought out year after year. Ultimately, it’s that combination of nostalgic crafting, meaningful making, and eco-conscious design, along with a beautiful end product that becomes part of family traditions, that we think really resonated with the judges.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? Our products are designed for children aged 3+, with a strong focus on encouraging creativity, independence, and screen-free play. That said, they’re very much enjoyed beyond just the child - parents, grandparents, and families often get involved, making them a shared experience rather than a solo activity. Whether it’s crafting a festive decoration or building a solar system, our kits are created to be accessible, engaging, and rewarding for a wide range of ages.
The reaction from customers has been incredibly positive. We often hear that people really value the experience our kits provide. They’re seen as calming, mindful activities that allow children to slow down, focus, and take pride in what they’ve made. There’s also a real sense of achievement, as each finished piece becomes something to keep, display, or revisit over time.
Customers also consistently highlight the quality and sustainability of the products. Knowing that everything is sustainably made and thoughtfully designed adds to their appeal as gifts, particularly for those looking for more meaningful alternatives to throwaway toys.
Overall, the feedback shows that our kits don’t just entertain - they help create moments of connection, creativity, and lasting memories.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? We’re seeing a real shift in the gifting industry towards more thoughtful, intentional choices. Sustainability has become a baseline expectation rather than a bonus. Customers are actively seeking out products that are plastic-free, responsibly made, and designed to last. There’s a growing awareness around reducing waste, and that’s influencing everything from materials to packaging.
At the same time, there’s been a move towards more meaningful, experience-led gifting. People are looking for gifts that create moments - something to do, not just something to give. Whether it’s crafting, making, or learning, there’s a real desire for connection and shared experiences, particularly for families wanting to spend quality time together away from screens. Alongside this, there’s been a lovely return to nostalgic, hands-on creativity - a move back towards tactile, mindful activities that encourage people to slow down and enjoy the process.
There’s a noticeable shift towards buying fewer but better gifts. Quality, design, and longevity are becoming more important, with people choosing items that can be kept, displayed, or revisited over time. Overall, gifting is becoming much more about meaning - products that tell a story, create memories, and feel special to both give and receive.
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 a hugely positive moment for our brand. It’s given us a real sense of validation - not just for the products themselves, but for the values that sit behind them. As a small, independent business, a lot of care goes into every detail, from the design process to our commitment to sustainability, so having that recognised at an industry level means a great deal to our team.
It’s also brought increased visibility, helping introduce Cotton Twist to a wider audience of retailers, buyers, and customers who may not have discovered us otherwise. There’s been a real boost in awareness and credibility, which is incredibly valuable.
Looking ahead, we hope the awards will help us build new relationships and open up further opportunities within the industry. More than anything, we’d love to continue championing thoughtful, creative, and sustainable gifting - and to keep reaching more families who are looking for meaningful, screen-free alternatives for children.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We have lots of exciting plans ahead as we continue to grow and evolve the Cotton Twist range. We’re always exploring new product ideas, with a strong focus on developing kits that feel both fun and meaningful for children. Expanding our collection with fresh themes, seasonal launches, and new techniques is a big part of what’s to come.
Sustainability will continue to be at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly looking at ways to refine our materials and packaging, ensuring we stay true to our sustainability promise.
We’re also excited about building more connections — whether that’s working with new retail partners, collaborating with like-minded brands, or reaching more families both in the UK and internationally. Ultimately, our goal is to keep creating thoughtful, design-led gifts that encourage creativity, reduce screen time, and become part of children’s everyday moments and celebrations.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was a weaving loom when I was a child. I remember spending hours completely absorbed in it — choosing colours, learning new techniques, and creating something from scratch with my own hands. It sparked a real love of making and that sense of quiet, mindful creativity that stays with you.
Looking back, it wasn’t just the gift itself, but the experience it gave me — the time, focus, and pride in creating something of my own. That’s something that has definitely shaped what we do at Cotton Twist today. We’re passionate about creating gifts that offer that same feeling — where the joy comes not just from the finished piece, but from the process of making it.
