Award winning Christmas gift list for 2024

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The must-have, award winning gifts for the 2024 holiday season have been crowned!

The business design centre 

I attended a Christmas press event in September 2024 at the business design centre. Where top Christmas gifts were judged and awarded for their innovative designs. It was weird seeing Santa Claus in September as I arrived. He was there to greet guests along with real reindeer! Many well loved brands were on display with product samples and gift bags to take home. I even got to enjoy some delicious mince pies with cream. Christmas cocktails, mulled wine, and chocolate treats. 

Prior to the event I had no idea what I would get my almost 7 year-old son for his birthday and for Christmas. He celebrates both occasions in the same month. The incredible toys on display provided much needed inspiration and excitement about the amazing gifts he would be able to unwrap and enjoy. There were some brand new family friendly games. Some adults only gifts, gadgets, stunning Christmas decor and tasty treats for the festive period. I also won some prizes and was first on the leaderboard for a darts competition.

Industry professionals, including consumer specialists, retail insiders, shopping experts, and trendsetters, have joined forces to unveil the top must-have items for Christmas 2024. At The Big Christmas Press Show 2024, the winners were announced live, and they include products from a variety of brands and retailers including LEGO, B&M, Not On The High Street, and Russel Hobbs.

The successful products' recommended retail prices (RRPs) range from an average of £44.75 and cover a diverse array of 12 categories, such as homeware, beauty, advent calendars, and budget-friendly purchases.

The splurge section includes the most expensive offering – a LEGO Technic Mclaren P1, which is priced at £389.99. Leading consumer specialists, retail insiders, shopping experts, and trendsetters have converged at The Big Christmas Press Show 2024 to unveil the most coveted items on this season's holiday wishlist. 

Taking place on Wednesday 11th September at the Business Design Centre in Islington, this industry event invites over 60 esteemed brands and retailers to showcase their latest products and innovations for Christmas 2024 before an audience of media and content creators. Now in its second year, The Wishlist Awards offers a glimpse into the hottest trends and must-have products expected to fly off shelves this festive season. This year's winners feature exciting new offerings from top UK brands such as LEGO, B&M Retail, Not On The High Street (NOTHS), and Dualit.

An unbiased panel of judges, carefully selected to represent a variety of backgrounds in TV, broadcast, business, social media and consumer viewpoints, were responsible for selecting the winners from hundreds of gift entries. The panel of seven judges for this year consisted of:

Rosie Marshall - Expert in toys & children's gifts. Senior Commercial Content Editor for Retail Week - Megan Dunsby. Kate Hardcastle, known as The Customer Whisperer, a broadcaster and consumer specialist. Plus TV personality Ollie Locke. Presenter, author and DJ - Kate Lawler. Kelsey Parker and Iwan Carrington.

The traitors Christmas crackers

The award recipients span 12 categories, encompassing Homeware, Tech, Beauty & Self-Care, Advent Calendars, and Budget Buys. These selections cater to a wide range of financial capabilities. The average cost of the winning gifts is £44.75, ensuring accessibility for all. Additionally, the most affordable option is NSPCC's Letter to Santa donation. On the other end of the spectrum, LEGO's Splurge category winner reigns as the most expensive item with a price tag of £389.99 for their LEGO Technic McLaren P1. With something available for every individual and budget, each category boasts three winners, including the coveted judges' pick - the product deemed as their personal favorite by the judging panel for each category.

The category winners are : 

BUDGET-FRIENDLY 

Wilton Bradley,  Pop-Up Play Town RRP £19.99 - Judges Pick

LEGO Speed Champions McLaren Formula 1, RRP £20.99

Craft Buddy, Crystal Art Buddies Series 4, RRP £4.99 (each) 

“What child doesn’t love a bit of pantomime or creating magical stories to perform. I think this is wonderful - perfect for Boxing Day fun.”

Ollie Locke

HOME

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker In Copper, RRP £69.99- Judges Pick

NOTHS, Kate Charlton’s Personalised Festive Plate, RRP £35.00

Russell Hobbs, Steam Genie 2in1 Handheld Clothes Steamer, RRP £59.99

“The fact that you can make mochas, milkshakes and hot chocolates with this product is amazing. I would love to get this on Christmas Day.”

Kelsey Parker

FOOD & DRINK  

Thermos Icon Straw Cup , RRP £25.00 - Judges Pick

B&M Retail, Movie Night Box, RRP £7.00

Menkind, Whiskey Smoker Kit, RRP £30.00

“Love the design, size and colour options, modern twist from an Iconic brand.”

Iwan Carrington

TECH & GADGET  

Morphy Richards, Mico Microwave Toastie Sandwich Maker & Grill, RRP £34.99 - Judges Pick

STM Goods, BagPack, RRP £69.99

STM Goods, ChargeTree Go, RRP £69.99

“This is a neat innovative gadget for the kitchen and when staying in hotels. I love that it's compact and that you can have toasties whenever you want!”

Megan Dunsby

FOR THE KIDS 

NSPCC, Personalised Letter from Santa, RRP Minimum donation  - Judges Pick

Tonies, Toniebox Starter Set, RRP £79.95

Little Tikes, Story Dream Machine™, RRP £49.99

“My toddler got a handwritten letter from her auntie today and she was over the moon so I can imagine a letter from Santa that's personalised as well is going to make any toddler's Christmas.”

Kate Lawler

FOR THE TWEENS 

Yoto, Yoto Mini (2024 Edition), RRP £59.99 - Judges Pick

Wilton Bradley, Xootz Enigma 24V Electric Scooter, RRP £129.99

Made Happy Gifts, Personalised Night Light, RRP £35.00

“This is a really easy-to-use, portable gift encouraging time away from the screen - a big plus!”

Rosie Nixon

FOR THE TEENS 

Target Darts, Luke Littler Cabinet & Dartboard Set, RRP £69.99  - Judges Pick

Cloud Nine, The Starlight Collection Curling Wand, RRP £149.99

Weird Games, How Am I Weird, RRP £20.99

“Thanks to Luke (The Nuke) Littler, darts is having a fashion moment - and this is a game to reconnect the family at Christmas”

Kate Hardcastle 

BIG KIDS 

LEGO Botanical Collection Bouquet Of Roses, RRP £54.99 - Judges Pick

Uncanny Brands, Harry Potter Hogwarts Checkmate Mini Waffle, RRP £27.99

Asmodee, Monkey Palace, RRP £34.99  

“I just love this from LEGO, get the big kids involved in building, this is such a great idea and a mindful activity for all ages. I love it!”

Rosie Nixon 

GAMES & PUZZLES  

NOTHS, Official Traitors Crackers, RRP £25.00 - Judges Pick

John Adams Leisure, Go Viral Party Game, RRP £17.99

Jumbo Games, Hitster, RRP £22.99 

“I love the Traitors, a fun twist on traditional crackers!”

Iwan Carrington

ADVENT CALENDARS  

B&M Retail, Advent Gingerbread House, RRP £10.00 - Judges Pick

Robert Welch, 12 days of Christmas Decorations Set, RRP £70.00 

NOTHS, BrickbyBrick32’s Advent Calendar, RRP £54.99

Bird & Blend, Tea Advent Calendar, RRP £38.00 

“The chance for you to build your own beautiful Christmas house which can be used every year. It’s sustainable and a wonderful tradition for families every year. Just fill each window with treats you love!”

Ollie Locke

BEAUTY & SELF-CARE 

B&M Retail, Snow Globe Candle, RRP £5.00 - Judges Pick

Cloud Nine, Magical Duo, RRP £47.00 

Remington, Travel Grooming Kit, RRP £24.99

“A great price. It's a candle which also doubles up as a Christmas decoration. These are so festive and being so affordable you could buy one in every colour to make your home look Christmassy or buy one as a gift if you're on a budget as everyone loves a candle”

Kate Lawler

SPLURGE 

Robert Welch, Champagne/Wine Bucket Grand, RRP £315.00 - Judges Pick

Folio Society, Shakespeare, The Complete Plays, RRP £200.00

Available from 7th October. 

LEGO Technic Mclaren P1, RRP £389.99

“It’s no secret that in the Locke household a champagne bucket is a familiar site, especially around the Christmas period. This is no regular ice bucket, it holds 6 bottles so you’re ready for when the party begins and the Christmas tunes begin.”

Ollie Locke