2025 Finalists - New English Teas
This year, we’re delighted to welcome New English Teas as a finalist in the 2025 Gift of the Year Awards with their beautifully curated Vintage Victorian Luxury Tea & Biscuits Gift Set. Known for combining heritage-inspired design with exceptional quality, New English Teas has earned a reputation for turning tea time into a truly giftable experience. We caught up with Marketing Manager, Alice O'Toole about the inspiration behind their standout set, their approach to meaningful gifting, and how it feels to be recognised on such a celebrated platform.
Product in the Finalist: Vintage Victorian Luxury Tea & Biscuits Gift Set
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards?
We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as a finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year awards. At New English Teas, we pride ourselves on creating beautiful, high-quality tea gifts that bring a little bit of joy to every occasion. Being nominated alongside so many innovative and creative brands not only validates our team's hard work, but also reinforces our commitment to offering unique and thoughtful gifts. It’s truly exciting to be acknowledged, and we’re over the moon to be able to showcase it on such a prestigious platform!
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product?
New English Teas was born out of our passion for combining the rich tradition of British Tea with beautifully crafted, thoughtful gifts. We want to help people create truly memorable experiences, through the simple pleasure of a well-brewed cuppa.
Tea isn’t just a drink — it’s a moment of relaxation and connection with our closest friends and family. Our gift sets are created to enhance that experience, whether it's for a special occasion or as a thoughtful gesture.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges?
Consisting of our best-selling Vintage Victorian tea tins filled with our signature blend tea bags, the set also features traditional Cornish Fairing Ginger Biscuits to create a gift that feels luxurious, yet accessible. Vintage Victorian Luxury Tea & Biscuits Gift Set shows our focus on maintaining the finest quality in every aspect—from the tea leaves we source to the designs we create. Our aim is to give customers something that not only delights the senses but also provides a timeless gift that people can cherish.
The positive response we've received for our product line really reinforces our belief that great quality and thoughtful design can make gifting both meaningful and memorable. We hope this resonated with the judges too, and they recognised that the Vintage Victorian Luxury Tea & Biscuits Gift Set is not just a gift, but a memorable moment in itself!
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far?
It’s designed for anyone who appreciates the art of tea and the joy of gifting! Whether it’s a tea lover, someone looking for a luxurious present, or even a company seeking elegant corporate gifts, our gift set caters to a wide audience. We’ve created collections that appeal to both the traditional and the modern, something making our set perfect for everything from birthdays, holidays, or even a simple "thank you"!
The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive! We consistently receive wonderful feedback about the quality of our teas, the beauty of the packaging, and the joy our sets bring to those who receive them. It’s great to know that our products have been able to create such memorable moments, and we’re thrilled that our customers continue to return for special occasions, recommending our sets to others.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now?
Right now, people are really seeking meaningful, high-quality gifts that align with their values. There’s a clear shift towards gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and intentional - something that can truly resonate with the recipient. This is a trend that we see reflected in the way our tea gift sets are appreciated, as they provide a moment of calm and meaningful experience.
On that note, another major theme is wellness and self-care. With so many people looking for ways to unwind and prioritise their well-being, tea has become the perfect gift. It’s not just a beverage—it’s a way to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and a moment of peace in the midst of busy lives. Tea’s comforting, soothing nature makes it an ideal choice for those seeking to enhance their self-care routine. Our gift sets, which offer a variety of relaxation teas, fits perfectly into this trend, allowing recipients to indulge in a moment of self-care and tranquillity.
Overall, the gifting industry is shifting towards products that offer more than just a physical item—they provide an experience and support a lifestyle that values well-being, relaxation, and authenticity.
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 shortlisted has been a really positive experience for us. Firstly, it’s great to have been recognised for the craftsmanship that goes into every product we create at New English Teas. It’s great to see that our reputation for quality isn’t just contained within the industry, but to consumers too, reaffirming the trust people place in us for premium tea experiences.
It has also given our team a well-deserved congratulations, motivating us to continue innovating and delivering exceptional products that our customers love!
We are hoping that the awards will help us gain even greater exposure, especially in expanding our reach to new audiences and retail partners. Winning would also provide us with a platform to further elevate the brand's standing in the gifting and luxury tea sectors, reinforcing our position as a leading choice for beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed gift teas.
What exciting plans do you have for the future?
Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our product range, introducing new, innovative blends and gift sets that cater to evolving customer preferences.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why?
One of the best gifts I’ve ever given was a personalised photo book for a close friend’s milestone birthday. It was filled with memories, notes, and funny anecdotes, and putting it together was a great way to look back on all the good times. Seeing their reaction—laughing and flipping through the pages—made it all worth it. It just goes to show that the best gifts aren’t always the most expensive, but the ones that mean something.
From their signature blends to the elegant presentation, New English Teas continues to prove that tea can be luxurious. We are excited to see what is next for this much-loved brand and wish them the best of luck in the finals.
Learn more about New English Teas and discover the full range on their website, and explore their product in the final.
