There is no doubt that the Harrogate Christmas & Gift exhibition is the major U.K. show for all things Christmas. Once again the 2026 show is totally full, very much against the trend for many U.K. exhibitions.
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I welcome a number of new advertisers and exhibitors to our pages including Benross, a company that have added a licensed range for 2026 with Coca-Cola and the Smiley face license.
Also in Hall ‘G’ we welcome toy company Bigjigs with their range of toy products. Making a return to our pages are Peggy Wilkins with their soft furnishings and the Milford Collection.
I am sad to record the passing of long-time director of the show and exhibitor Terry Padgett. Terry first visited Hong Kong as a 15 year old working with then Harrogate exhibitor Woolman Bros. in the early sixties. Along with his brother David they created the A-Z series of pocket money toys – Padgett Bros. in the early eighties and continue to exhibit in Hall ‘A’.
It continues to be a tough year for all companies, with a government not helping to support commercial enterprises and a world situation that also brings a variety of challenges, so it is all the more impressive that Harrogate exhibitors continue to offer buyers visiting the show a huge variety of ideas and colourways that will create great opportunities for consumers around the country.
The retail interview this month is with garden centre Garsons, Titchfield in Hampshire. Their assistant manager Lloyd Farrand and his buying team always visit Harrogate where along with his team they finalise their various theme names. Lloyd continued “The show really gets our creative juices going, it’s a really important show for us as it kickstarts the season.“
Innovation has always been key to the success of Christmas Decorative products. When times are tough the public tend to overspend at Christmas and to forget their troubles. Premier Decorations sold out in 2025 quite early of their candle in a champagne glass. To add even more good cheer for 2026 the company have added wine, whiskey, Martini and even a Stout glass that looks very much like a glass of Guinness.
Cheers!
Piers Croke of Gisela Graham fame investigates the history of the Christmas stocking, long a staple product at Christmas. Evidently the Dutch, who arrived in New Amsterdam (later to become New York) long before the English created the tradition, that historically started with St. Nicholas. I leave our readers to turn to page 10 to find out more.
Character licensing continues to play a big part in the creation of Christmas ranges, Snowtime have added to their ‘Snowman’ range with the addition of ‘Wallace and Gromit’. All will be revealed on their stand in hall ‘D’.
It is also great to welcome back Floralsilk after an absence of a few years. You can read all about their plans for 2026 on page 48.
Our Coffee Break page 8 fires a number of questions at Joe Puleo of Puleo International. With Konstsmide not at the show, Puleo take their stand location in Hall ‘M’ enabling them to show even more of their ranges. Based in New Jersey, USA, but having had a U.K. presence for many years this 4th generation company enjoyed a great 2025 in the U.K.
As usual we have a stand at the entrance to Hall ‘A’ where we shall be very happy to meet our readers as they enter the show.
Malcolm Naish
