2026 Finalists - Neon Magpie
We’re delighted to spotlight Megan Hicklin, founder of Neon Magpie, a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards with her beautifully imaginative Tiny Town Soaps.
A brand rooted in illustration and storytelling, Neon Magpie brings everyday products to life through hand-drawn designs and thoughtful craftsmanship. Megan’s work transforms simple items into something far more meaningful — blending creativity, place, and personality in every piece.
We spoke with Megan about her creative process, the inspiration behind the range, and how being a Gift of the Year finalist is helping her growing brand reach new audiences.
Company Name Neon Magpie
Product(s) in the Finalist Tiny Town Soaps
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? It feels incredibly special to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards. As a small, independent business, so much love and care goes into every part of what I create; from the initial illustrations through to the final handmade soap. To have the ‘Tiny Town’ range acknowledged in this way is both exciting and very meaningful.
It’s also a real boost to be recognised alongside so many inspiring brands in the industry. Being named a finalist feels like a celebration of not just the products themselves, but the storytelling behind them.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? My brand is built around illustration, storytelling, and creating thoughtful, design-led products that bring a sense of joy and place to everyday items. Everything begins with my own hand-drawn artwork, which I then transform into a range of products.
The ‘Tiny Town’ soap range is a perfect example of that approach. I was inspired by the charm of little buildings and the character you find in towns and villages across Scotland. Each soap is packaged in a box designed to look like a miniature building, all illustrated by me, so they can be displayed together to create a playful “town” scene.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? What makes ‘Tiny Town’ special is the combination of storytelling, illustration, and functionality. Each soap is more than just a product—it’s part of a miniature world. The boxes are all hand-illustrated by me and designed to look like little buildings, so when they’re displayed together they create a charming “town” scene. It brings a sense of playfulness and collectability that goes beyond a typical soap.
It’s also a truly handcrafted product, made in Scotland in small batches, which adds a level of care and authenticity that customers really value. From the initial drawings to the final bar, every detail has been thoughtfully considered, making it feel like a unique and personal gift rather than an off-the-shelf item.
I think it stood out to the judges at the Gift of the Year Awards because it blends strong visual design with a clear commercial appeal. It works beautifully as a retail display, encourages multiple purchases, and has a distinctive identity that feels both contemporary and rooted in a sense of place. It’s that balance of creativity, craftsmanship, and giftability that makes it memorable.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? The Tiny Town soaps appeal to those who appreciate illustration, storytelling, and beautifully designed products; whether that’s customers buying for friends and family, tourists looking for something authentically Scottish, or independent shops searching for unique, design-led pieces. A real highlight has been winning a Gold Award at the Scottish Trade Fair, which was a fantastic moment and a real validation of the concept. Alongside being recognised as a finalist in the Gift of the Year Awards, it’s been amazing to see the range resonate so strongly with both customers and the industry.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? I think the gifting industry is being shaped by a really clear shift towards more meaningful, thoughtful purchases. People are moving away from generic, mass-produced items and instead looking for gifts that feel personal and considered; whether that’s through storytelling, design, or a sense of connection to the maker. In fact, a significant proportion of UK shoppers now actively prefer gifts with a personal touch over something more generic.
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 in the Gift of the Year Awards, has already had a really positive impact on the brand. It’s brought increased visibility and credibility, particularly within the wholesale side of the business, and has helped introduce ‘Tiny Town’ to new stockists who may not have discovered it otherwise. It’s also been a lovely opportunity to reconnect with existing stockists and strengthen those relationships. Having that recognition from the industry gives retailers extra confidence in the range, which has naturally led to more conversations and interest.
Looking ahead, I’d love for the awards to help continue building those relationships; both with new stockists and those I already work with. Growing a strong network of independent shops is such an important part of the brand, so any opportunity to expand that, share the story behind the products, and reach new customers is incredibly valuable.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? I have lots of exciting plans to continue growing the ‘Tiny Town’ range and the brand as a whole. I’m currently working on expanding the collection with new “buildings” and designs, so customers and stockists can continue to build their own little towns. Developing that sense of collectability and storytelling is something I’m really keen to grow.
Alongside that, I’m always exploring new product ideas that bring my illustrations to life in different ways, while still keeping that focus on thoughtful, design-led gifts. Ultimately, the goal is to keep creating products that feel special, tell a story, and bring a little bit of joy to everyday moments.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? The best gift I’ve ever received was a set of handmade “inspiration prompt cards” that my husband created for me. I absolutely love sketching, but like most creative people, there are times when I sit down and just can’t think what to draw.
He designed and made a beautiful set of illustrated prompt cards to help spark ideas, each one offering a little starting point or theme to get me going again. It was such a thoughtful gift, not just because of the time and care he put into making them, but because it really understood something about me and my creative process.
It’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving too, I still use them whenever I feel stuck, and they always help me rediscover that sense of play and creativity.
Find out more about Neon Magpie here - https://neon-magpie.co.uk/
