Gibsons Games

Friday Blog Post 

Author: Emily Charles, Head of Brand at Gibsons Games

 

Gibsons Games is a 105-year-old British, family-owned business, dedicated to creating joy through first class jigsaw puzzles and games. I’ve worked at Gibsons for 8 years now and have recently taken on the position of Head of Brand. 

 

What is your favourite part about working in the toy industry?

 

I think this is an answer that you must get all the time, but the people! I look forward to industry events like Toy Fair so much because it’s a chance to catch up with so many lovely people. But the products are a close second. Who doesn’t love toys?!

 

Give us the inside scoop, what products are you launching at Toy Fair 2025?

 

There really are so many new Gibsons products to talk about this year. I’m very proud of our new brand-licensed ranges with the RHS and the RSPB and can’t wait to show them off. 

 

We’re also embracing our heritage and putting a big focus on games, so we can bring people together and create memorable experiences for all ages. We’ve got a whole batch of new games that everyone needs to play in time for Q1. We’ll have samples out ready to play on our stand so come by for a test play when you need a brain break!

 

This follows on from our relaunch of Dingbats earlier this year, where we celebrated 40 years of Dingbats! We are delighted to present Dingbats at Toy Fair in January for its first big show release – you can expect to see many Dingbats on our stand, ready to be solved! 

 

What trends do you predict for the Toy Fair industry in 2025?

 

As a B Corp, Gibsons is already at the forefront of many of the emerging trends by prioritising sustainability, ethical practices, and positive social impact in everything we do. In line with the increasing demand for eco-friendly and educational toys, our range of high-quality puzzles and games supports not only entertainment but also cognitive development and mental well-being for all ages.

 

Looking ahead to 2025, we are well-positioned to meet consumer expectations by continuing to offer products that align with sustainability trends. We’re focusing our efforts on increasing our use of paper bags, for example. By staying committed to our values as a B Corp, we’ll continue leading the way in creating games and puzzles that are both meaningful and responsibly made.

 

How many years have you exhibited at Toy Fair? Any favourite memories?

 

Gibsons was presented an award at Toy Fair last year for being the longest standing exhibitor so as a company it’s been a LOT of years! 

 

But for me personally, this will be my 7th or 8th Toy Fair. I meet with a lot of licensors and game inventors at Toy Fair and some of our best products have come from those meetings. 

 

We redesigned our stand for 2024, which is another reason it was a memorable year. The bright new stand really allowed our products to pop, and it was meant very enthusiastically by our visitors! 

 

What is your favourite toy?

 

I have two young boys at home so we have a lot of toys as you can imagine and I love building things with them – things like magnetic tiles, Duplo and Lego are my favourites. 

 

What’s your favourite Toy craze, past or present?

 

I remember the year the original Furby came out. It was so exciting at the time and all my friends were desperate to get their hands on one. I was very lucky in that my grandparents were travelling to America at the time and they managed to grab me one while they were there before they had properly launched in the UK. I loved that Furby so much…for about a week. Then I realised that it would not stop talking so it got put in the bottom of the washing basket to keep it quiet and that’s where it stayed! But those sorts of new innovations are what stand out and form core childhood memories and I will always think of Furby with fondness. 

 

What top tip would you give to a fellow exhibitor or visitor attending their first Toy Fair?

 

Drink loads of water, plan your visit carefully and make sure to include breaks! This is a mistake I make every year and always regret it.