21 SHOWS & EVENTS This season’s most unmissable events Shows, news & events Christmas & Gift 2025 highlights The year 2025 certainly began on a high note for the UK’s only festive trade show – Harrogate Christmas & Gift – as exhibitors and visitors turned up in large numbers to not only see the latest products the industry had to offer; but to celebrate a few important milestones too. Next year, Harrogate Christmas & Gift will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 11th to 14th January 2026. Whilst the fair celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, one exhibitor, Playwrite, boasted having attended every single show since it began! Warren Cornelius, one of the directors of Harrogate Christmas & Gift, first attended the event himself as an exhibitor in 1967. However, his predecessor Syd Vening (who joined the company with his brother-in-law William (Con) Cornelius and took over the reins on Con’s death in 1944), was one of the show’s founders when it began its journey in Harrogate as International Toy Fair. Fast forward seven decades and the show never fails to impress. The halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre were packed with an array of fabulous products, not only for Christmas but for celebrations throughout the year. New colours and trends are presented each season and for Christmas 2026 it looks as though we will be seeing lots of rustic colours with autumnal hues; and pretty bold colour mixes such as purple with pink and blue with brown. Quality wrapping and packaging was also trending with a number exhibitors displaying gift wrap, gift boxes, labels, cards and adornments to make gift giving that extra bit special. The traditional Christmas cracker appears to be returning in popularity – and family pooches will be topping Santa’s wishlist next year with a selection of dog toys and baubles to choose from. Kerry Brassil of Listowell Garden Centre in Ireland, told us: “It’s been a great show and we placed lots of orders. I loved seeing more unusual colour mixes this year. It’s so nice to see so many bold and retro colour schemes.” Exhibitors were happy with the quality of visitors and buyers too with Tara Hardman of RSW commenting: “RSW had a great show. Our sales figures were up by a whopping 80 percent on 2024. Many of our existing customers visited us and we also gained a lot of new customers. Once again, the show was great for networking.” Alan Pimm of SIL Interiors reiterated this adding: “Harrogate Christmas & Gift was very successful for SIL with both orders and quotes substantially up on last year’s show. Visitor numbers to our stand also increased and we look forward to re-booking for 2026.” This was the second year that Jackson’s Comprehensive Retail Supplies exhibited in Harrogate and Greg Jackson of the company told us that it was their most successful trade show to date. “We noticed a significant increase in footfall to our stand, which was incredibly encouraging. Not only did we engage with more visitors but secured numerous orders during the event. This has had a positive impact on our business and we are thrilled with the results.” Next year, Harrogate Christmas & Gift will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 11th to 14th January 2026. Diary dates Artisan Made UK 22nd – 23rd March, 2025 Skipton Auction Mart www.artisanmadeuk.com h+h Americas 7th – 9th May, 2025 Rosemont, USA www.hh-americas.com London Stationery Show 13th – 14th May, 2025 Business Design Centre www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk NY Now 3rd – 5th August, 2025 Javits Centre, NYC https://nynow.com Autumn Fair 7th - 10th September, 2025 Birmingham NEC www.autumnfair.com The Knit Show 7th - 8th September, 2025 The Pavilions, Harrogate https://theknitshow.co.uk Top Drawer 14th – 16th September, 2025 Olympia, London www.topdrawer.co.uk
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