Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall A, Stand A2
Family-run The Milford Company has been supplying beautiful product to the festive and gift retail sectors for more than four decades – so no wonder they instinctively know what customers want. Sarah Welsh spoke to MD David Blower…
“We have a phrase in Welsh called ‘Hiraeth’ which roughly translates as a longing for home and family which I think sums Christmas up perfectly,” says David Blower.
It’s a beautiful sentiment, and one that sits at the core of The Milford Collection, a family-run gift and Christmas distribution business hailing from rural Powys in mid-Wales.
Now, fresh from celebrating the company’s 40th anniversary in 2025, the team is once again heading for Harrogate and then on to Birmingham’s NEC for Spring Fair. Managing Director, David Blower, spoke to CinJ about plans for both shows…
The Milford Company has been supplying gifts for home and garden for 41 years now, what’s the secret to your continued success?
We have always strived to give customers quality products, at affordable prices and great customer service. Our core principle of keeping things simple have served us well during the more difficult years.
2025 must have been a special year for you with your 40th anniversary?
Celebrating 40 years was quite a milestone for us and it was great to share a celebration with our staff, some of whom have been with us since day one.
Do you think the fact you are a family company makes a big difference to your outlook?
I like to think it gives us more empathy with our customers and we are always prepared to go the extra mile. We are determined to remain the opposite of a ‘computer says no’ company!
How long have you been exhibiting at Harrogate and why is Christmas & Gift such an important show for you?
I can’t remember exactly the year we first exhibited at Harrogate but I remember with great clarity how it came about. We had applied to show at Top Drawer but it was deemed our products were not suitable for such a ‘prestigious’ event, so I managed to secure a last-minute stand at Harrogate Christmas. It was only a very small stand and we just had one large basket of our scented pine cones but it turned out to be one of our best trade shows ever.
We are now probably one of the largest suppliers of scented pine cones in the UK with Christmas & Gift our most important show of the year. To accompany our famous scented pine cones, we have now built up an exciting range of products which make up our ‘festive home’ range.
Are you also going to Spring Fair?
Yes, I first attended the Spring Fair in 1982 when I was working for the Welsh Government. I used to help the smaller craft companies based in Wales with their marketing and we would have craft stands underneath with a mezzanine floor for hospitality,
our own stands at Spring Fair are slightly less salubrious. The Spring Fair is also an important show for us and keeps us connected with our customers and to showcase our new product launches.
Innovative product design and customer care are key to your company, but what exciting new ranges can you tell us about that you’ll be showcasing at Harrogate?
We are having a total re-brand this year and bringing everything under our Festive Home banner. Our Hero product for Christmas 2026 will still be our Scented Pine Cones in the red organza bag but we are introducing a new Scented Tealight Advent Calendar which has created a great deal of pre-show interest.
Finally, what does Christmas mean to you personally?
I am going to sound very twee here but being a family business, I can honestly say Christmas is about family, especially when we have all been so busy with the pre-Christmas sales. it’s a time to slow down and share the quieter moments.
For more information visit: www.milfordcollection.com
