2025 Finalists - Zesty Lemons London
Today, as we continue to celebrate our Gift of the Year finalists, we are featuring Zesty Lemons London. Zesty Lemons London are finalists in the Home Fragrance category with their beautifully designed Contemporary Kiln Candle Collection. These hand-poured, eco-conscious candles are not just about fragrance - they are about creating lasting homeware that can be repurposed long after the wax has melted. Join us as we explore their journey, inspiration and what this recognition means for them.
Company Name: Zesty Lemons London
Product in the Finalist: Contemporary Kiln Candle Collection
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards?
Being nominated as a finalist for the Gift of the Year awards 2025 feels incredibly exciting and rewarding. It’s a recognition of hard work, creativity, and innovation. We strive to offer a design led and more sustainable way to shop home fragrances and we have been overwhelmed with the growth of the brand and support we have seen from our nomination in the awards!
There’s a sense of pride in knowing that your product has been acknowledged by industry experts and peers. It also brings a mix of excitement for the opportunity to showcase our work and anticipation for the final results. Overall, it’s an honour that fuels motivation and gives confidence in the quality and point of difference in our products.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product?
At Zesty Lemons London, where we are on a mission to create home fragrances that are designed to be repurposed.
We’re more than just a candle company — we’re a celebration of home, fragrance, and circular-economy living. Our candles are crafted with the finest ingredients and a passion for creating designs that feel fresh, inviting, and full of character. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to making every vessel a piece of your home that keeps on giving long after the last flicker of its flame.
Designs to be repurposed after use - to put it simply; our vessels are just too good to throw away!
At Zesty Lemons, we believe that your home deserves fragrances that don’t just fill the air but also tell a story. Our home fragrances are carefully designed with inviting scents that are lovingly hand poured into unique vessels. But we don’t stop there. Once the wax is gone, our vessels are designed to be repurposed — whether as a stylish storage container, a fun planter, or a kitchen sauce pot, the options are endless and can get very creative!
We’re on a mission to help you enjoy beautiful, sustainable products that align with your values and your lifestyle. By using 100% plant based wax, premium fragrances, and designing with the intention to be repurposed, we’re making it easier than ever to add a little zest to your home while reducing waste.
The Contemporary Kiln Collection candles are inspired by contemporary living; each candle is designed to evoke a sense of joy and warmth, using a palette of striking colours to create a visually stunning and tactile experience. The inspiration also reflects a commitment to sustainability and individuality, offering products that not only light up a room but also serve as unique pieces of art.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges?
Our home fragrances stand out as they are all uniquely beautiful pieces of art, paired with specially designed fragrances that take home fragrances to the next level.
Each candle is a commitment to shop more sustainability and is intended to be repurposed after use. This intention allows us to design beautiful vessels that our customers will want to keep in their home long after the last flicker of the flame, repurposing into creative household items and eye catching homewares.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far?
Our customers are someone who values both style and sustainability in their choices. They have a keen eye for design, seeking products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful and purposeful. They are fashion-forward, trend-aware, and proud to make purchases that align with their commitment to a better, and more sustainable future.
Since launching the Contemporary Kiln collection we have had an amazing response - selling out of the first production line within one month of launch! The chosen colours and tactile designs of this collection really do offer something for everyone.
The beautiful branded packaging makes these the perfect gift for any home fragrance lover and our gift giver gets the satisfaction of gifting more than just a candle; but a piece of design that can be repurposed after its last burn.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now?
Consumers are increasingly favouring gifts that are environmentally conscious and aware of their general over consumption. This includes opting for products made from recycled materials, supporting brands with sustainable processes, and being more thoughtful in their decisions to gift products that are meaningful and will last, rather than just for the sake of it! This shift towards "green gifting" aligns with a broader commitment to reducing environmental impact.
How has being shortlisted, and nowbeing a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards?
Being shortlisted and now a finalist for the Gift of the Year Awards has had a significant impact on our brand. It has been an incredible validation of the hard work, creativity, and dedication that goes into everything we create. This recognition has boosted our visibility, helping us reach new audiences who might not have been aware of our products before. this was particularly visible at Spring Fair where we had many visitors coming over from the GOTY stand and looking for our products as a result!
It also strengthens our position in the market, giving us more credibility and reinforcing the trust and quality our customers associate with our brand.
From the awards, we hope to achieve further exposure, connect with like-minded brands and industry leaders, and continue building our reputation as a brand that combines design innovation with a commitment to sustainability. Winning would be an incredible honour, but regardless of the outcome, we’re excited about the opportunity to share our story and continue growing in the gift industry. It’s also a great opportunity to inspire others and show that thoughtful design and sustainability can go hand in hand with success.
What exciting plans do you have for the future?
At Zesty Lemons we are constantly designing new products that sit under our five collections. As we continue to grow and evolve we're focused on expanding our product range, with even more unique and sustainable items that blend style and function. We’re exploring new collections that will push the boundaries of creativity and design while staying true to our commitment to quality and sustainability.
Ultimately, we aim to continue inspiring our customers to live more sustainably without compromising on style, while growing our brand’s impact both in the UK and internationally. Keep an eye out for what’s to come!
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why?
It has to be Zesty Lemons Kiln Ceramic Tea Lights! These beautiful tactile pots are the gift that just keeps on giving. Gifted in a stylish branded gift box, these 6 crackle glazed vessels come in two amazing scent options. After use, they have so many ways in which they can be reused or repurposed and they add a colourful touch of design to any space.
Zesty Lemons London is proving that great design and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. Their Gift of the Year finalist nomination highlights their dedication to crafting products that are both beautiful and mindful of the planet. Whether you are a candle lover or a design enthusiast, their Contemporary Kiln Candle Collection is a gift that keeps on giving. Keep an eye out for more inspiring stories from this year’s Gift of the Year finalists.
Find out more about the brand by visiting Zesty Lemons London.
