4 ways festive drinks packaging can enhance your brand this Christmas

 

When it comes to Christmas shopping, many shoppers are drawn to products with something special to offer. They want to evoke ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from friends and family by finding a gift that ticks every box and goes beyond the product itself.

Packaging has become a key way for brands to capture the spirit of the season and, with premium packaging designs boosting shelf appeal by up to 30% (Zipdo), investing in festive packaging is a no-brainer.

Festive drinks packaging isn’t just about wrapping a product in holiday cheer, it can elevate your brand, create memorable unboxing experiences, and drive sales. Whether it’s limited-edition gin flavours or craft beer collections, festive packaging and advent calendars provide a unique and engaging way for your brand to connect with your target audience.

With thoughtfully designed festive drinks packaging, you can transform your products into unforgettable gifts and Christmas staples, and here’s how.

1. Unbox the magic
2. Countdown to Christmas
3. Dare to be different and climb to the top of the nice list
4. Boost sales for the season and beyond

Unbox the magic

Using festive packaging - just like Adnams’ custom beer advent calendars - can significantly boost your brand’s visibility in the lead-up to Christmas.

 

Bright, bold, and eye-catching packaging designs can capture customers’ attention by using jolly themes, colours, and imagery. This ensures your products shine on crowded shelves, standing out as something truly special, even in a sea of competition.

Festive drinks packaging does more than catch the eye on store shelves - it elevates the unboxing experience and inspires customers to share their purchases on social media.

With over half of UK consumers under 35 turning to short-form videos for product inspiration and 74% researching online before buying (Think with Google), the impact of festive drinks packaging is undeniable.

It’s a powerful tool to boost brand awareness, drive consumer engagement, and, ultimately, increase sales.

Countdown to Christmas

When we think of Christmas, we think of the main man - Santa Claus, gifts, tasty food, and spending time with loved ones. But it’s advent calendars that really get the holiday season started. 38% of adults buy an advent calendar for family or friends in the UK and 51% of parents and guardians spread festive cheer by gifting one to someone else (YouGov).

Advent calendars are no longer just for chocolate - over the years, other markets have joined in, including the drinks industry.

 

Drinks advent calendars are perfect for building anticipation and excitement. Instead of a standard unboxing experience that’s over in minutes, customers can enjoy counting down to Christmas every day, enjoying a delicious beverage knowing that Father Christmas is getting closer to packing up his sleigh ready for the big day.

The Sourceror’s beer advent calendar packaging is a great example of how festive packaging can give customers daily joy, transforming the unboxing experience into a much longer event.

 

You’ll struggle to find someone who would say no to a gift every day, and that’s exactly what an advent calendar provides. It keeps customers engaged and keen to find out more, wondering what’s behind the next door. Advent calendars are often given as gifts and could be the first interaction someone has with your brand.

By creating a memorable experience, festive packaging not only generates a love for your products but also has the potential to convert someone into a loyal customer, even after the holiday season has ended.

Dare to be different and climb to the top of the nice list

In the crowded gifting market, festive packaging is a powerful way to make your products stand out for the right reasons. Bold, creative designs not only capture attention on shelves but also leave a lasting impression on social media, where 87% of shoppers seek inspiration, and 55% of smartphone shoppers make purchases after seeing products online (Modern Retail).

The Online Tasting Company’s wine advent calendar is a great example of how effective this can be.

 

By using festive packaging to set your products apart, you do more than catch the eye - you position your brand as being firmly on ‘the nice list’ in a busy and crowded marketplace.

This differentiation gives your brand a crucial advantage during the high-stakes holiday season when gifting is at its peak, and it keeps shoppers talking about your brand way beyond the holiday season.

Boost sales for the season and beyond

Christmas is synonymous with gift-giving. Whether it’s a sentimental gift for a family member or a stocking full of jokes for a friend, it’s the season for presents. When finding the perfect drinks gift for a loved one, shoppers have many choices, meaning you must go above and beyond to ensure your products stand out.

 

The season also provides the perfect opportunity to use limited edition and collectable drinks packaging. This creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging customers to purchase to avoid missing out and increasing sales further.

Even after the holiday season is over, festive packaging can help build brand loyalty, as customers who are delighted with their purchases may become repeat buyers and even brand advocates, spreading the word about your products long after the holiday period ends.

At Smurfit Westrock Saxon, we’ve helped several brands embrace Christmas cheer with our eco-friendly festive packaging solutions. Whether it's custom drinks advent calendars or festive packaging boxes designed to stand out on supermarket shelves, our expertise ensures that your brand will shine brightly this holiday season. Contact us to find out more.