On Sunday, Aug. 19, I headed over to Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and picked up my judging sheets of the products I was asked to review from the press center.
Products I was tasked with judging spanned several gift categories, including stationery, giftables, holiday, fashion, Kids’ Corner, gourmet, bath and body and candles. The majority of the products I judged landed squarely in the Kids’ Corner and fashion gift categories-ones I don’t currently cover-so everything felt fresh and new.
Our friends at NY NOW asked if I would help them judge best new product during the show held Aug. 19-23, and I was happy to help. As a lover of all things giftable and ahead of the trends, I couldn’t wait to get started and see the new products coming out over the next couple seasons.
I made my way downstairs to the bottom floor and hit the ground running. I only had enough time for a couple minutes for each product, and I wanted to make sure each got the attention needed. A few vendors wanted to draw my attention to other products, and while tempting, I had to kindly focus on the products on my sheet.
I came across several new items that I loved and want for my own home! A few standouts were:
I also fell in love with the LOVE Apothecary Coconut Wax Candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio and the Royal Bingo set by Laurence King Publishing.
The judging process was a lot harder than I thought it would be! I had to rate products based on quality and craftsmanship, consumer appeal, innovation and design, and overall market potential. I wanted so many products to win, and I can’t wait to see who made the cut. In the meantime, this editor is going to put on her consumer hat and hit the ecommerce sites. Hey, the holidays are right around the corner!
Thank you, NY NOW, for allowing me to be a judge for best new product. It was an honor and a pleasure.
