2026 Finalists - The Tipsy Candle Company
We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on The Tipsy Candle Co., created by Lucy Vernon, a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards with her Classic Cocktail Collection.
What began as a small lockdown project has grown into a vibrant and distinctive brand, blending the indulgence of cocktails with the comfort of home fragrance. Hand-poured in Derbyshire using natural soy wax and premium fragrance oils, Lucy’s creations perfectly balance playful creativity with high-quality craftsmanship. With scents inspired by iconic cocktails, these candles offer something truly unique—bringing joy, personality and a touch of fun into gifting.
Company Name: The Tipsy Candle Co.
Product(s) in the Finalist: Home Fragrance - Classic Cocktail Collection
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? It feels really special. The business started as a small lockdown project, so to now be recognised at this level is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s a lovely moment to step back and realise how far it’s come.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? The Tipsy Candle Co. is all about bringing a bit of fun into home fragrance. I started the brand combining two things I love – cocktails and candles – and it grew from there. Everything is hand-poured in Derbyshire using natural soy wax and premium fragrance oils, and the aim is to create something that not only smells amazing but also lifts the mood and sparks conversation.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? I think it’s the mix of playful and premium. The scents are inspired by real cocktails from Espresso Martini to Passionfruit Martini, but they’re still designed to feel like a quality home fragrance product. They’re fun, but they’re also long-lasting, clean-burning and made with care.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? They’re designed for anyone who loves giving (or receiving) a gift that feels a bit different. A lot of customers say they’ve never seen anything quite like them, and that’s exactly what we were going for. The reaction has been really positive - people love how true to life the scents are and how giftable they feel.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? People are definitely looking for gifts that feel more personal and a bit more fun. There’s a shift away from generic presents, towards something that has a story behind it or feels a bit more thoughtful. At the same time, quality and ingredients still really matter.
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? It’s given us a real boost in confidence and credibility, especially with new stockists. It’s also just been a great moment for the brand. Going forward, we’d love to keep building on that and get the candles into even more stores across the UK.
What exciting plans do you have for the future? We’ve got new scents and collections in the pipeline and we’re focused on continuing to grow the brand, whilst keeping that same balance of fun and quality. It’s important to me that it still feels like the same brand people fell in love with at the start.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? The best gifts are always the ones that feel really thoughtful. I've always tried to shop small or independent and love sending something a bit different through the post to someone special with a note "I saw this and thought of you". Who doesn't love a suprise?!
You can find out more about The Tipsy Candle Compnay here - https://www.thetipsycandleco.com/
