2026 Finalists - Elite Tins
Elitetins has been crafting standout tinware since 1985, building a reputation for quality, originality and design-led gifting. This year, the brand is celebrating its place as a Gift of the Year finalist with not one, but two beautifully executed product ranges: the Sara Miller London Dapper Dogs Collection, shortlisted in Pet Gift, and the Arts & Crafts Food Filled Gift Tins, finalist in Food & Drink.
We caught up with James Brierley from Elitetins to talk about the inspiration behind these successful ranges, the power of thoughtful design details, and why affordable, giftable “pick-me-up” products are resonating so strongly with today’s consumers
Company: Name Elitetins
Product(s) in the Finalist: Sara Miller London - Dapper Dogs Collection in Pet Gift, and Arts & Crafts Food Filled Gift Tins in Food & Drink
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? We spend a lot of time developing our ranges, focusing on all the little details to ensure we create something our customers, and ultimately their customers, will love. Recognition like this helps validate how worthwhile that time is.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? Elitetins aim is to always be at the forefront of tin design in the UK. We’ve been selling tins since 1985, with the aim of creating the very best tinware in homewares and gifts. We strive for original designs and working with licensed partners, keeping quality and longevity at the heart of our products.
The Arts & Crafts range was inspired by the timeless designs of William Morris. We wanted to bring these iconic patterns to customers in a new way, one that’s both practical and affordable. The Sara Miller collection, on the other hand, was inspired by her already popular Dapper Dogs design. Bringing this print onto tin has been an immediate success.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? The Dapper Dogs treat tin features metallic gold detailing against a matte finish. It’s details like this that set an Elitetins product apart from others on the market.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? We always design our products with the customer in mind, creating pieces that feel both practical and giftable. We have a global reach and ensure a tin for everyone within our range.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? We’re seeing a growing trend towards smaller “pick-me-up” gifts. With the cost of living increasing, customers are looking for affordable options that still feel thoughtful and meaningful. We’ve found that our food-filled ranges, like the Arts & Crafts collection, are particularly popular as they make an easy, ready-made gift.
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? We’ve received multiple enquiries about our ranges following the live judging event at Spring Fair, everything helps in a competitive marketplace.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We always have something exciting in the pipeline, but it’s a little too early to share just yet! We are working with some new partners on ranges planned for Autumn this year, but that’s all we can say for now.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? We are fortunate to work with some amazing top-of-the-tree licensing partners, and every team member has been sent a personalised mug with our name on it from Emma Bridgewater, it really means we know who has or hasn’t done the washing up!
Find out more about Elite here - https://www.elitetins.com/
