The holiday season is more than just a time of giving, it’s a powerful opportunity for brands to shine. When it comes to holiday packaging ideas, what’s on the outside can be just as impactful as what’s inside. Thoughtful, creative packaging can elevate your brand, delight customers and create share-worthy unboxing moments, whether you sell online, at markets or in-store.
In this guide, we’ll walk through six packaging ideas that don’t just wrap your products, they build your brand. You’ll find inspiration that’s creative, budget-friendly, sustainable and personal. Whether you’re wrapping products for customers or presents for friends and family, these ideas will help you create packaging that wows inside and out.
- Offer gift wrapping that matches your brand’s style using tissue paper, ribbon or logo tags. Make it optional at checkout or free with a minimum spend.
- Include a thank you card with a discount code or free shipping to encourage repeat business. This small gesture builds loyalty and drives post-holiday sales.
- Tell your brand story with a postcard or insert that highlights who you are and what you stand for. Plus, it helps gift recipients identify with your business.
- Add a thoughtful freebie like a sample, sticker or playlist link to make your packaging memorable. These low-cost extras can turn a one-time buyer into a fan.
- Use recyclable, reusable or compostable materials and say so on the packaging. Customers notice and they’ll appreciate your commitment to sustainability.
- Gift wrapping doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful. Use clever materials, personal touches and reusable options to make your gifts feel extra special.
Simple tokens, like thank you cards, can go a long way to building relationships with package recipients.
Why holiday packaging matters
Holiday packaging isn’t just about looking festive. It’s a smart branding tool that helps small businesses stand out in a crowded market, especially during peak gift-giving season.
The right packaging can boost perceived value, tell your brand story and even get shared on social media, all while delivering a delightful customer experience. It’s your first impression in a box, so let’s make it count.
5 holiday packaging ideas
1. Offer festive gift wrapping.
‘Tis the season for gifting, so make it easy for your customers to send a ready-to-unwrap gift to their loved ones. You’ll be offering a much-appreciated service to loyal customers—and impressing prospective clients. Make it easy for customers to add gift wrapping to their in-store order for a small fee (or offer it for free with a minimum spend).
- Personalize it: Offer wrapping in your brand colours and include a name tag or blank note card. For example, a business selling candles could offer wrap featuring illustrated flames or fragrance notes.
- Budget tip: You don’t need expensive materials. Kraft paper + twine + a logo sticker = festive, affordable and on-brand.
- Sustainable global inspiration: Furoshiki is a common cloth wrapping in Japan, both beautiful and sustainable. Consider offering cloth wrap options for reusable packaging.
- Custom wrap idea: Design your own branded wrapping paper using your logo, patterns or illustrations. It makes every order feel unique and professional.
- Ready-to-go bundles: Pre-pack common gift items in a wrapped version so customers can grab and go, especially handy at markets or pop-ups.
- Business tip: Include a card about your holiday branding to encourage word-of-mouth.
A gift isn’t complete without a card—offer to include a blank note card that your customer can personalize before they place their present under the tree.
Custom wrapping papers can inspire intrigue and excitement when recipients see your brand mark.
2. Reflect your brand in every layer
From tissue paper to packaging tape, make sure everything you use to pack orders includes an element of your business’ look. Offer wrapping in your brand’s colors and style, and make sure it can be used for all recipients, no matter which holiday they celebrate.
- Get personal: Use your brand colors, fonts or patterns. If your style is bold and graphic, go for strong shapes and high contrast. If it’s soft and luxe, try muted tones and metallic accents.
- Prioritize sustainability: Choose recyclable materials or reusable bags with your logo. Not only does it reduce waste, it shows your customers you care.
- Use global inspiration: Take a cue from Scandinavian minimalism. Neutral paper, natural textures and clean design give a festive feel without being tied to one specific holiday.
- Match packaging to product: A handmade soap could be wrapped in natural muslin with a branded stamp, while tech accessories might suit a sleek box with metallic accents.
- Make it social share-friendly: Make sure your packaging is camera-ready. When gift recipients share your products online, your branding should be front and center. For more inspiration, check out these holiday packaging design ideas.
Simple, elegant boxes with reusable brand items create moments of luxury for clients.
Don’t forget to add your own touch to the inside of the package! Stickers can help keep tissue paper in place.
3. Tell your story through packaging
You know your story. Now help your customers become familiar with it, too. If you’re interacting with customers at your shop or a local market, you may have a chance to chat with them and share a little bit about your brand. If you don’t, let your packaging share your brand’s story or what your brand values.
- Personalize it: Include a postcard or label that tells your story. Explain where your products are made, why you started or what makes your business unique. Keep it short, warm and real.
- Try adding a QR code: Add a small QR code on your thank-you card that links to a video of your process, team or studio space. Let customers see the face behind the brand.
- Include a seasonal message: Update your story card with a seasonal note, like “Thank you for supporting our small business this holiday season—it means the world to us.”
- Use easy options: Use the back of your thank you card, business card or sticker to share a one-line version of your brand message.
- Build on marketing moments: This is also a chance to reinforce your values. Are you eco-conscious? Locally made? Female-founded? Use your packaging to say so. Get more ideas from our guide to top-of-mind holiday marketing.
A beautiful, custom greeting card is a nostalgic and traditional way to share your brand values.
4. Include a holiday thank you offer
Make sure customers know how much you appreciate them with a thank you offer—this will encourage another purchase and ensure they come back for more. A little thank you can go a long way during the festive rush.
- Personalize it: Include a card that says thanks and offers a discount on their next purchase. Even better if it matches your festive packaging style.
- Boost ROI with your offer: Add a minimum spend to boost basket size. For example: “10% off your next order over $40.”
- Make it fun: Print simple scratch cards that reveal discounts or freebies. They’re fun to use, budget-friendly and feel more exciting than a flat offer.
- Keep it timely: Use phrases like “Valid until January 15” to create urgency and drive post-holiday traffic when business is slower.
Offers aren’t just about discounts. You could also offer early access to new products or seasonal drops. See how brands use color and exclusivity in this holiday color palette guide.
Cost-effective business cards are a great way to share promotions inside packages of all sizes!
5. Add a thoughtful extra
Go the extra mile for all of your holiday customers, and surprise them by adding something special to their shopping bag. Maybe a sample of a new product, insider information about upcoming products or sales, some fun sticker singles or a bonus gift for a high-value purchase. It doesn’t have to be big. But an unexpected extra can make your brand feel generous, thoughtful and memorable.
- Try some new ideas: A mini product sample, a themed sticker, a recipe card or even a handwritten note are simple and delightful freebies. If they bought a dog bowl, include a treat. If they ordered bath salts, add a tea bag or candle.
- Make budget-friendly, fun: Pick something that costs you little but adds a lot of joy. It could even be digital, like a QR code to a curated holiday playlist or a behind-the-scenes video that can bring customers closer to your brand.
- Offer tiered surprises: Give every customer a free sticker, but for orders over $100, add a sample or bonus gift to increase delight and encourage spending.
Why it works: These touches build connection. They also encourage sharing, tagging and returning. For more inspiration, check out Starbucks holiday cup designs and how they use small details to tell a big story.
Offer a variety of designs and prints to spark excitement and curiosity throughout the season.
Festive gift wrapping ideas for thoughtful giving
Looking to impress loved ones with your wrapping skills this year? These creative, festive and affordable ideas will make your presents stand out under the tree and maybe even on social media.
- Think beyond paper: Ditch the roll and try something unexpected, like pages from old books, sheet music, maps or fabric. It’s creative, charming and eco-friendly.
- Try furoshiki wrapping: This Japanese technique uses square fabric to wrap gifts beautifully. It’s ideal for odd-shaped items and perfect for reuse. The wrapping itself can become a gift—think tea towels or scarves.
- Add a personal touch: Use a metallic pen to handwrite names directly onto paper or ribbon. Or tuck in a mini ornament, a photo, or a sprig of rosemary for an extra sensory moment.
- Make it festive on a budget: Kraft paper + twine + greenery = effortless charm. Or try potato-stamping a festive design using red or white paint.
- Create a color-coded system: Assign each group (family, friends, colleagues) a palette. It keeps things organised and looks stunning when everything’s under the tree.
- Reuse and repurpose: Repurpose last year’s ribbons, boxes or tissue paper. It’s cost-effective and cuts down on waste during the most consumption-heavy season.
- Include a small surprise: A handwritten note, recipe card or QR code to a holiday playlist can add a heartfelt finishing touch without breaking the bank.
Thoughtful wrapping elevates gift-giving. It shows care, creativity and attention to detail. Done well, the thought invested in packaging creates an experience that inspires just as much joy as the gift itself.
Thoughtful wrapping creates memorable unboxing.
Wrap up with holiday packaging ideas that make a lasting impression
Holiday packaging doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be considered. With a little thought and a few creative touches, your boxes, bags and bows can help turn a one-time customer into a loyal fan.
