2025 Finalists - Ancient Wisdom

We are delighted to spotlight another finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards – Ancient Wisdom, whose Crystal Elemental Soaps have been shortlisted in the Beauty, Bath & Spa category. Known for their ethical, handmade gifts, Ancient Wisdom blends craftsmanship, wellness, and a touch of magic to create products that resonate with both retailers and customers. We caught up with Founder, David Hardy to hear more about the story behind this beautifully unique range.

Company Name: Ancient Wisdom 

Name: David Hardy 

Product in the Finalist: Crystal Elemental Soaps 

Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards? 

We’re absolutely thrilled to be a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year awards. At Ancient Wisdom, we put a lot of passion into creating unique and meaningful products and seeing our Crystal Elemental Soaps recognised on such a prestigious competition is incredibly rewarding. 

Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product? 

Ancient Wisdom - Giftware Wholesale is a well-established supplier of ethical, handmade, and inspiring giftware for retailers and small businesses. We take pride in curating products that blend wellness, spirituality, and craftsmanship, offering unique items that tell a story. We’re committed to helping our retailers offer products that sell, with innovative designs, strong gifting trends, and a focus on quality. 
 
The Crystal Elemental Soaps were born from our passion for nature’s elements and holistic well-being. Inspired by the four classical elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—each soap is carefully crafted to reflect the characteristics of its element, from colour and scent to the embedded real gemstone inside. The idea was to create an everyday luxury that feels magical, combining the sensory pleasure of high-quality soap with the surprise and energy of a gemstone, making it a perfect gift for self-care enthusiasts and crystal lovers alike. 

What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges? 

Our Crystal Elemental Soaps are special because they offer a multi-sensory and meaningful experience, blending luxury skincare, elemental symbolism, and the magic of gemstones. Each soap is more than just a cleansing product—it’s a self-care ritual, a spiritual connection, and a surprise gift all in one. 

Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far? 

Our Crystal Elemental Soaps are designed for gift lovers, self-care enthusiasts, and crystal fans—anyone who appreciates products that are both beautiful and meaningful. They are perfect for spiritual and wellness-focused customers, as well as those who simply enjoy luxury bath and body products with a unique twist. 
 
Retailers have been excited about this range because it fits multiple categories—it’s a bath product, a crystal gift, and a self-care treat all in one. 

What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now? 

The gifting industry is leaning towards artisan-made, sustainable, and unique products, especially in the UK, where consumers love UK-made cosmetics and bath products. Many of our products tick these boxes—handcrafted, eco-conscious, and designed with a unique twist. 

How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards? 

Being a finalist is a great honour, and while we haven’t noticed a big change yet, it’s a fantastic recognition of our craftsmanship and creativity. This year, we’ve been shortlisted with three product lines in three different categories, which reassures us that we’re heading in the right direction and that our approach to creating unique gifts is working. It’s a great confidence boost, showing that our products truly resonate in the industry. We hope this exposure helps us reach more retailers and showcase our commitment to meaningful gifting. Winning would be amazing, but even making it this far is something we’re really proud of! 

What exciting plans do you have for the future? 

We don’t need to draw a tarot card to see that exciting things are ahead for Ancient Wisdom! With nearly 30 years in the industry, we’ve mastered the art of creating unique, artisan-made gifts that retailers love—and we’re not slowing down. 
 
Our future plans include expanding eco-friendly and UK-made ranges, launching more innovative gift lines, and continuing to bring fresh, trend-led products to the market. One thing’s for sure—we’ll keep surprising you with magical new creations that customers will love! 

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why? 

Well every gift in some way is an act of love between humans. It's part of human make up to give to those we love. We, in the gift industry, are incredibly honoured to be part of the process of enabling so many small acts of nothing less than love. It's the best industry in the world to be in, when you realise and appreciate that... That in itself is the most amazing of gifts. 

With nearly three decades of experience in the giftware industry, Ancient Wisdom continues to push boundaries with thoughtful, trend-led creations. Their Crystal Elemental Soaps are a true celebration of nature, spirituality, and self-care – and their place in this year’s finals is well deserved. We wish them the best of luck in the Beauty, Bath & Spa category and look forward to seeing what enchanting innovations they bring next.

To find out more about the product entry, visit the Ancient Wisdom Finalist page and explore the full collection on Ancient Wisdom.