Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall A, Stand A13

The generational story behind Maple Moon Gifts is nothing short of enchanting, much like the beautiful festive ranges this family-run company will be bringing to Harrogate. Sarah Welsh spoke to Matthew and Susan Gibson from the brand…

In 1989 couple Brian and Jacqueline Gibson founded Gibson Plus, a family run business specialising in industrial engraving, printing and enamel school badges. 

Fast forward 35 years, and in 2024 their children Susan and Matthew went on to launch Maple Moon Gifts. What connects the brands is not just entrepreneurial spirit and artistic attention to detail handed down from one generation to the next, but a love of beautiful design utilising premium materials. And now the team behind Maple Moon is bringing a wealth of new designs across four product ranges to Christmas & Gift.

Specialising in bespoke wooden and enamel decorations, they also boast their own classic enamel range.

“The original business Gibson Plus began in our first family home in County Down,” Matthew explains. “But then in Christmas 1994 we moved to Maple Cottage, which consisted of the family home, seven stables and several outhouses.

“We have a dedicated team of six now, but although Mum and Dad say they’re retired, there’s never a week that goes by when they aren’t helping us with something”

“That year we had the whole family round for a very makeshift Christmas. Everyone sitting around the Christmas table was at a different height as we were using every emergency chair going! I was only four but I still remember that holiday very fondly.

“Susan now lives in Maple Cottage with her family, which is lovely as her kids are always floating around the workshops causing mischief, much like we did ourselves growing up! And it’s obviously the inspiration for the name Maple Moon.”

The original idea for Maple Moon actually came in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic. The team were in need of creating more revenue, so Susan had the clever idea of utilising Gibson’s existing engraving machine to create Christmas decorations depicting local landmarks. In October 2020 the first Landmark Bauble was sold, and just a month later the new brand had booked to attend Christmas & Gift in 2021.

Susan got to work designing and creating everything buyers would see on the Maple Moon show stand and business continued apace through the next few years. Wooden ranges were added to the festive collection along with a whole new range of classic enamel decorations.

“Our products were where we needed them to be – fantastic quality, with eye-catching designs and at prices people could afford,” Susan says. “Then late in 2023 we took the bold move to re-brand our Christmas ranges to Maple Moon, from 2024, and it’s all grown from there.

“We have a dedicated team of six now, but although Mum and Dad say they’re retired, there’s never a week that goes by when they aren’t helping us with something.”

But why is Harrogate such an important retail event for the business? “Having tried a few shows, Christmas & Gift is definitely Maple Moon’s stand out event of the year,” Susan explains. “It’s just so lovely. The second you set your foot through the doors you are back into Christmas. We find the quality of leads there second to none.”

The brand is committed to putting high quality, durable materials at the heart of the design process, creating beautiful, handcrafted pieces that become treasured keepsakes. 

“Our festive designs are inspired by the warmth and beauty of Christmas,” Matthew says. “We draw inspiration from timeless traditions, nature’s winter landscape, twinkling lights and joyful spirit shared with loved ones. We craft gifts that evoke the magic and comfort of the festive season and our goal is to bring a touch of charm to every piece, making customer celebrations even more special.”

Maple Moon’s best sellers are the bespoke ranges they create in partnership with retailers, including the likes of The British Museum and Center Parcs. Also top of the tree is the classic enamel range, in particular the Tunnocks Teacake decoration. This is followed closely by the brand’s Celtic range.

“With bespoke ranges our design process is highly flexible,” Matthew says. “Clients can either send us a detailed concept, or can just share a faint idea which we then develop into a polished, one-of-a-kind piece. What sets us apart is our collaborative approach.

“We excel at transforming simple ideas into stunning, bespoke enamel ranges.”

For Harrogate this year visitors to the Maple Moon show stand can expect a wealth of new designs, across a quartet of ranges. A Hobbyist range made from maple veneer, a Felt & Fabric range, a Spring Easter range and an Autumnal range, both of which use felt and enamel.

“We’re really excited about Christmas & Gift and have no doubt it will be as crucial a show for us as always,” Matthew says.

“For us Christmas is about family, creating lasting memories and embracing the warmth of tradition. And that all translates into our products. Each piece is a labour of love.”

For more information visit: www.maplemoongifts.com