2026 Finalists - Inside Out Toys
As part of our Gift of the Year 2026 finalist spotlight, we’re delighted to be catching up with Nikki Garner from Inside Out Toys, whose Jumini Giftable Collection has been shortlisted in the Children’s category.
Known for its charming wooden toys, thoughtful design, and strong sustainability credentials, Jumini has spent the last ten years creating products that inspire imaginative play while also looking beautiful in the home. With Jumini Giftable, the team set out to elevate children’s gifting—combining classic play value with contemporary, gift‑ready presentation that feels just as special to give as it does to receive.
Company Name Inside Out Toys
Product(s) in the Finalist Jumini Giftable Collection
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? We’re incredibly proud to see Jumini Giftable recognised as a finalist in the children’s category. We put a lot of thought into creating a range that feels special to give, not just to receive, so this means a lot to us as a team.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? Jumini is all about creating charming, high-quality toys that inspire imaginative play while also looking beautiful in the home. As part of Inside Out Toys, we’ve built the brand around sustainability, thoughtful design, and a love of traditional play patterns.
Jumini Giftable was inspired by the idea that children’s gifts should feel just as special as those for adults. We wanted to create a range that combines classic wooden toys with a more contemporary, gift-ready presentation—something that feels considered, stylish, and meaningful. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how well that approach has connected with both retailers and customers.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? What makes Jumini Giftable special is that it works on multiple levels and it delivers strong play value for children, beautiful presentation for gifting, and standout shelf appeal for retailers.
We believe it stood out to the judges because it successfully bridges the gap between toy and gift, offering something that feels both commercially relevant and emotionally meaningful.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? Jumini Giftable is designed for young children and the people who love to buy for them. We wanted to create a range that captures children’s imagination through play, while also giving parents and gift-givers something that feels special, considered, and stylish.
The response so far has been incredibly encouraging. Customers often comment on how ‘giftable’ the range really feels—from the packaging to the overall design—and retailers have seen strong engagement thanks to its visual appeal and clear point of difference.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? We’re seeing several key trends shaping the gifting industry right now.
Firstly, sustainability has become a fundamental expectation rather than a ‘nice to have’, with consumers actively looking for eco-friendly materials, responsible sourcing, and plastic-free packaging.
Secondly, there’s a clear shift towards products that feel more thoughtful and personal. Whether through design, storytelling, or presentation, people want gifts that feel considered rather than generic, creating a stronger emotional connection.
We’re also seeing the growing importance of ‘giftable’ presentation—products that are ready to give, visually appealing, and designed to feel special from the moment they’re received. This ties closely into the influence of social media, where discovery and visual impact play a huge role in purchasing decisions.
Finally, there’s a move towards gifts that combine practicality with joy—items that are not only beautiful, but also have lasting play value or everyday use.
Together, these trends are shaping a more conscious, design-led approach to gifting, which is exactly what we set out to achieve with Jumini Giftable.
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 a finalist has been a real highlight for our team, and even more special as it comes in Jumini’s 10th anniversary year. It’s a proud moment for us and a great reflection of how the brand has evolved over the past decade.
We’ve seen some really positive interest since the announcement, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to introduce Jumini Giftable to a wider audience. Looking ahead, we hope the awards will help us continue to grow the brand, reach new customers, and build on the strong foundations we’ve created over the last ten years.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We’re really excited about the next stage of growth for Jumini. Following the success of Jumini Giftable, we’re planning to expand the range with new ideas that continue to elevate children’s gifting. At the same time, we’re growing our Jumini Junior range by developing more lifestyle-led products that fit naturally into children’s everyday routines, as well as their playtime.
We’ve also seen a brilliant response to our Jumini Friends plush collection, so we’re looking forward to building on that success with new characters and designs.
Our aim is to continue evolving Jumini into a well-rounded, recognisable brand that brings together toys, gifts, and lifestyle products in a thoughtful and cohesive way.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? One of the most memorable gifts I’ve received was a Mother’s Day scrapbook my children put together, filled with photos and memories. It was such a thoughtful and personal gift, and something I’ll always keep.
It’s a great reminder that the most meaningful gifts are the ones that create an emotional connection, rather than focusing on value
You can find out more from Inside Out Toys here - https://insideouttoys.co.uk/
