2026 Finalists - Creek Lifetstyle
We’re delighted to shine a light on Creek Lifestyle, finalists in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards for their beautiful Recycled Cotton Blankets. Founded on a deep connection to the British coastline and a shared love of the outdoors, Creek Lifestyle blends nostalgia, sustainability and British craftsmanship to create products that are both purposeful and timeless.
In this interview, co-founder Sam Webb shares the story behind the brand — from windswept beaches and teenage adventures to traditionally woven Lancashire textiles — and explains why making products with care, longevity and respect for the environment sits at the very heart of Creek Lifestyle.
Company Name: Creek Lifestyle
Product(s) in the Finalist Recycled Cotton Blankets
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? We are absolutely thrilled. As a fledgling business, it is fantastic to be recognised by our well established peers and delighted for our team that the love they have poured into the design and production process has brought us here.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? Richard and I met as teenagers in the 1980s and we often went for long walks and spent days on beaches where we would windsurf, swim, BBQ and laugh. We camped, explored, picnicked, and sometimes we would just watch the clouds race and the stars twinkle. We didn’t know it at the time, but those amazing connections we felt with our friends and each other, were orchestrated by the rhythm of nature.
Now we are older, we have the words to explain the joy we felt back then; Mother nature’s elements ground us, connect us and remind us of what really matters. And when we are outside the ebbs and flows of daily life are suspended and we feel lighter, rejuvenated, connected and happy.
We can’t be outside all the time, and let’s face it, sometimes there is nothing better than cosying up in front of the fire. To elevate that experience, we have developed these gorgeous blankets which take design inspiration from the sights and textures of the British coastline. A luxury reminder of what is happening outside, and a beautiful way to stir memories.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? We want to make products which last and made with care and respect to our world, so where we can, we make our collections in the UK. Our blankets are traditionally woven in Lancashire, and the yarns are exceptionally soft made from recycled cotton. By making these in the UK, we are supporting British manufacturing, helping to retain traditional textile skills here, and reducing the carbon footprint of the supply chain. I hope the judges could see and feel the passion and core values of Creek Lifestyle in our blankets, as it is these which make them so special.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? Our blankets are designed for anyone who holds space for beautiful British-made products, and who appreciates the move away from the traditional coastal designs and colours. Someone who wants to layer up and elevate their soft furnishings at home or on their boat, a retailer or a boutique. Without exception, people love the softness, it’s the first comment, and they also appreciate the less obvious design approach.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? The sustainability trend is ramping up for sure, and I saw some fantastic gifts at this years’ GOTY which were purposeful, made from natural materials and based on a small batch production strategy. Sustainability isn’t only about the materials and manufacturing - we must also consider wastage from over production and function. And at a seasonal level, there are a lot of stripes around this spring, which I love.
How has being shortlisted, and nowbeing a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? As I mentioned before, the recognition from the public and our peers has really helped us feel confident with what we are doing. We have been able to effectively use the awards with our marketing, and we have seen an increase in sales. Winning this category would be amazing, and what we would really love to achieve, is winning the people’s vote as nothing says success more than the public loving and buying our products.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We are launching two more, British-made products this year: The Dicky, a hard-working and functional work jacket named after our co-owner, and the brains behind the engineering of this jacket. The Dicky is made in the UK from a super tough 100% cotton half Panama and designed for versatility. Perfect for sailors, walkers, gardeners and pub goers. And the Blakeney, a 100% British wool Gansey-inspired jumper, knitted in the UK. The Blakeney incorporates traditional Gansey stitches, and we have developed our own which connect the jumper directly with the village of Blakeney.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? My goodness, this isn’t an easy one to answer. I always try to buy gifts I know people really want, and I would say I have a respectable 80% success rate!
Find out more here - https://creeklifestyle.co.uk/
