Jingle bells will soon start ringing, chestnuts will be roasting on an open fire... before we know it folks, Christmas will be here! With every day that passes we’re stepping closer into the most wonderful time of year and all the decorations, gift giving, and general merriment that goes with it. So if you’re in the biz of selling goodies over the festive period, you might be asking: "How do I go about designing a festive packaging collection??" Well, fear not - we’ve put together 10 ideas and tips on what to think about to make your Christmas packaging ready to go on Santa's sleigh...
1. Choose your Christmas colour palette
Okay, so - let’s start with the basics - a splash of colour! Do you want to go for something that’s an extension of your existing range, but with a holiday twist? Or do you want a whole new load of Xmas boxes and bags for this special time of year? And will your palette be traditional, or will you break away and go for something a bit more out there?
Well, when you think of Christmas, you think of red and green, right? They're the most obvious choices after all, with Santa’s own outfit, Christmas trees, and decorations galore. So whether you’re after gift boxes, bags, advent calendars, Christmas crackers, etc etc, choosing products in these two colours is a great place to start.
Or if you’re on a budget, why not go for some accessories? Ribbon is the ultimate Christmas packaging accessory, and is a quick and simple way to sprinkle some festive magic while also providing space for some branding.
But of course you don’t have to go for red and green - there's plenty of colour palettes you can choose that mix it up a bit while still feeling festive - see our blog post here on 2024’s top Christmas colour palettes for some ideas!
2. How about a minimalist design?
You know what they say, right - less is s'more! (sorry) In packaging terms, the saying less is more translates into a design that’s on the minimalist side - and it just so happens there’s a trend for this at the moment. But how do you achieve this, you ask?
Go for simple prints and the same colour in a couple of different tones, so the design is nice and subtle. Or you could opt for plain packaging with a bit of foil printing - this can add some festive cheer and branding to your boxes and bags - perfect for bringing that elegance and luxury. Go for a Christmassy design or have your logo printed (or both!) - either way, foil is great for helping make your whole packaging shimmer.
But again, it's not just limited to boxes and bags, you can also add it to ribbon - meaning you don’t have to change your existing range, just add some pretty accessories. (Stickers, gift tags, and tissue paper also make great additions to any packaging range, but more on these below...) And minimalism just so happens to lead us nicely onto...
3. A krafty-inspired range
Sustainability isn’t just a trend now, it’s becoming increasingly more important each year - and Christmas is a great time to really embrace it with your packaging design! Natural, eco-friendly materials like kraft paper and twine will give your gifts a rustic, charming look. Gold foil printing can shine (quite literally) again here - bringing the festive vibe without compromising on that cool rustic aesthetic.
Sustainability has never looked so chic!
4. Or a whimsical and fun theme?
The design ideas above point to a natural and minimalist vibe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go for something a bit more out there! If you're feeling a bit wild or just fancy something more whimsical and playful for your packaging, why not go all out in stunning full colour?
Use digital printing to showcase more detailed patterns or even full colour photos - imagine a box adorned with a snowy landscape and some people Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. Or go for something a bit more specific to your brand, like a fun company-inspired design or something that tells a story. (More on this a bit further down...)
The key here is to let your imagination run wild - think of your packaging as a canvas, and Christmas as your chance to get out your paintbrushes!
5. And how about a fun font?
Want to take the whimsy up a notch more? Switch up the typography on your packaging for something fun and quirky - like a handwritten font that will make your packaging feel more personal. Christmas after all is all about creating a light and uplifting mood - and fonts are a great way to do this! Use a fun text either on your boxes themselves or on a note card - which you can also use to say a great big "Thank you!" to your customers.
6. Add thank you cards
Speaking of thank you cards.... Adding a personal touch to your packaging always pays off - whatever font it’s in. Why? We all like feeling appreciated, right? A note (or gift tag) with a thank you message is a nice addition to your package - and in this digital age, it feels like a gift in itself! Not only does this add a personal touch, it will also help you connect with your customers - something they’ll remember for the holiday season and beyond.
7. Story-driven packaging
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..." Who doesn't love a Christmas story? And you can tell one with your packaging - it's a great way to add a bit of fun intrigue into your range. Whether it's through an illustration that reveals your brand’s story, or a short Christmas tale or poem, print it on the box or bag or on a cute lil note card included in your packaging - or perhaps on an advent calendar...
8. Interactive boxes and bags
Bring your packaging to life by making it more interactive, because why not have a little fun for Christmas? Think advent calendars for example - we're used to each door revealing a new surprise (often in the form of yummy chocolate), but what if each one revealed a fun fact, or some info about your brand's history? (That doesn't have to be instead of the treats... why not have both??) Another idea is to add QR codes to your packaging that lead to holiday messages, videos, virtual Christmas cards, promotions, behind the scenes content… the possibilities are endless, but you get the idea!
9. Make your own hashtag
Foil and digital printing are great ways to feature your brand’s logo, but why not try printing a festive hashtag on your packaging as well? This is a great way to weave in your social media in a super seamless way, encouraging your customers to go online and share your fabulous content, whether it's on the box itself, or on a ribbon or sticker. Pretty much everyone has some kind of social media these days.. whether it's TikTok, Instagram, or X (Twitter) - and when your packaging looks this good, people will want to show it off!
10. Add the finishing touches
We’ve touched on how you can use ribbons and stickers to update your range for the holidays, but have you thought about adding some tissue paper? It’s a fantastic void filler for your festive packaging in both sheets and shredded forms - make it pop with some green, red, or golden shades, while also providing additional protection to keep your products all safe and snug inside the box.
Labels are also great for including all the important info on your brand and the items inside the lovely package - but you can also use them to wish your customers a Merry Christmas, and again, they provide a great space for a bit more branding! Consider a festive design as well if the rest of your packaging is plain - just see what you like and what fits in best with your range!
So there we are! Refresh your packaging for 2024 with these fun ideas and you'll be sure to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas! Make sure to check out Tiny Box's Christmas collection - and while you're here have a read of our blog post on crafting your Christmas packaging range.