Ecommerce: How to Plan for Holiday Packaging
The holiday season is the most profitable time of year for ecommerce. With increased competition, brands must create a memorable seasonal experience through custom holiday packaging. Strategic holiday packaging not only makes products more appealing but also positions them as ready-to-gift items, helping brands capture greater market share.
Plan for the Holidays Early
Holiday packaging requires advanced planning to avoid missed deadlines. Suppliers, freight carriers, and logistics networks become congested, leaving little room for late adjustments. Ordering early allows time for:
Structural and graphic design revisions
Material sourcing and print lead times
Coordination with freight providers to secure on-time delivery
Focus on Seasonal Products and Gift Bundles
Consumers look for seasonal SKUs and bundled offerings during the holidays.
Seasonal SKUs drive urgency through limited availability and holiday themes.
Gift Bundles provide convenience by combining products into a single package, saving buyers time and effort.
Tracking purchase history helps allocate resources toward SKUs most likely to perform during peak shopping windows.
Incorporate Seasonal Designs
Holiday packaging is not just functional — it’s part of the customer experience. Seasonal graphics can create excitement, improve brand recall, and encourage social sharing.
Ideas for seasonal design include:
Bright and festive colors
Nostalgic or traditional holiday patterns
Sustainable materials and eco-conscious messaging
Custom add-ons like stickers, ribbons, tags, or tissue paper
Use Quality Materials
During the holidays, packaging must balance presentation and protection.
Premium materials (rigid boxes, corrugated mailers, luxury bags) enhance gift appeal.
Finishing techniques such as embossing, foiling, and varnishes elevate perceived value.
Stronger substrates protect products in transit during peak shipping volumes.
Quality packaging enhances unboxing experiences, making gifts feel more special while protecting brand reputation.
Work With a Packaging Provider
Partnering with an experienced packaging supplier streamlines the process. A provider can:
Recommend seasonal design approaches
Manage lead times and supply chain coordination
Ensure packaging aligns with ecommerce logistics and retail compliance
This expertise saves time and reduces the risk of delays, helping brands stay competitive during the busiest season.
Work With Brown Packaging
At Brown Packaging, we help ecommerce brands prepare for the holiday rush with custom holiday packaging tailored to seasonal demand. From structural design to premium finishes, our team ensures your packaging communicates value, enhances customer experience, and arrives on time. Contact Brown Packaging today to get started.
References
National Retail Federation (NRF). (2023). Holiday Shopping Trends and Consumer Behavior. Retrieved from https://nrf.com
Flexible Packaging Association. (2023). Holiday Packaging Trends in E-commerce. Retrieved from https://www.flexpack.org
Robertson, G. L. (2016). Food Packaging: Principles and Practice (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
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