5 Easy Holiday Packaging Wins to Boost Sales & Delight Customers

How to make holiday packaging easy, festive, and on brand

The holiday season tends to bring a rush of orders, and with it, a lot of pressure to get each one just right. That challenge is exactly where thoughtful holiday packaging can make all the difference. As someone who keeps an eye on small business packaging both professionally and as an avid shopper, I’ve noticed how those festive details can give a basic box or bag a polished, gift-worthy feel. Even small touches like a custom label, seasonal tag, or simple green and red thank-you sticker can turn an ordinary order into something special, without blowing your budget or your timeline.

Whether you’re customizing printable labels at home or using our professionally printed WePrint service, Avery makes it easy to turn everyday materials into festive brand moments. These are the kinds of small wins that look great, feel personal, and help build customer loyalty. In this article, you’ll find five quick, practical ways to upgrade your holiday packaging without adding stress to your busy season.

Win #1: Make it branded (even on a budget)

During the holidays, custom packaging for small business does more than make your products look polished—it helps tell your brand story. Whether you’re shipping direct to customers, selling at markets, or fulfilling last-minute gift orders, branded packaging shows that every detail matters. It’s one of the simplest ways to build trust, boost recognition, and give your business a professional edge. In fact, research shows that 52% of consumers say they will continue to buy from a brand if it has attractive packaging.

Tools like Avery Design & Print (ADPO) and our collection of free holiday templates make it easy to create custom festive packaging at home, even if you’re short on time or design experience. Want to save even more time? Our WePrint custom printing service delivers professionally printed labels, stickers, and tags that match your brand and your budget.

Here are just a few easy ways to add branded holiday flair to your packaging:

• Top off kraft bags with logo labels for a festive, polished finish
• Seal tissue wrap or gift boxes with holiday-themed stickers
• Tie on custom tags featuring your logo and a seasonal message
• Include a holiday card with a handwritten note or thank-you
• Add QR code stickers linking to a cheerful video, discount, or your social pages

These small, affordable touches create a cohesive, gift-ready experience that feels personal and professional.

Win #2: Keep it festive without the fuss

You don’t need to redesign your entire packaging just to make it holiday-ready. A few quick swaps can add instant seasonal cheer without extra stress or expense. It’s not about spending more; it’s about using what you already have in a smarter, more seasonal way.

If you’re already using tags, labels, or flat notecards in your everyday packaging, just update the designs with a holiday color palette or seasonal elements like snowflakes or greenery. These festive packaging ideas let you reuse the materials you already count on—just with a fresh, holiday twist. Printable holiday labels, pre-designed tags, and festive thank-you stickers are quick and affordable upgrades that work with the materials you’re already using.

Try pairing red and white string with kraft tags like Avery 80517, add festive stickers to your standard poly mailers, or swap in a cheerful holiday message on your existing thank-you card template. These easy holiday packaging updates go a long way in creating a cheerful unboxing moment without adding more to your to-do list.

Win #3: Add personal touches that create joy

When orders start to stack up, it may be tempting to keep fulfillment as fast and streamlined as possible, but small, thoughtful touches don’t have to slow you down. In fact, a few seconds of personalization can go a long way in leaving a lasting impression.

I’ve received packages with cheerful “Packed with Care” stickers or handwritten notes—and those little touches always make an impression. It’s those small gestures that make a package memorable, and bring customers back. According to Forbes research, personalized experiences like that can increase customer retention and lead to more 5-star reviews.

The best part? It doesn’t take much to keep things efficient, just a little time and planning. For instance, you can batch-print “packed by” labels in advance and prep a stack of festive thank-you cards for future orders. You can even use the QR and barcode generator in ADPO to easily generate custom QR code stickers.

These low-effort, high-impact ideas aren’t just thoughtful; they’re also smart, scalable gift-wrapping ideas for sellers who want to deliver a more creative packaging for small business experience without sacrificing speed.

Win #4: Prep your packaging for shipping success

Holiday shipping delays are practically a given—which makes planning ahead one of the most important small business shipping tips to follow. And it’s not just your products that need to be ready to go; your packaging should be, too.

Stock up on sturdy mailers, cushioning inserts, and weather-resistant labels like Avery 5526 to make sure every order arrives safely and professionally. Branded shipping labels and return addresses add polish while reinforcing your brand identity, even in transit.

Batch printing is another holiday shipping prep must-do. Tools like ADPO and WePrint make it easy to create and print everything at once—shipping labels, return addresses, thank-you cards, product inserts, and more—so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. And if you’re wondering when to start shipping, don’t miss our guide to this year’s holiday shipping deadlines.

These small steps now can help you avoid last-minute stress and keep your customers happy through the holidays.

Win #5: Choose easy eco-friendly packaging options

The holidays often come with a spike in packaging waste, and more and more customers are starting to notice. As sustainability becomes a bigger part of purchasing decisions, eco-friendly holiday packaging can be a real advantage for small businesses looking to stand out.

Many business owners want to reduce their footprint but still need options that are practical, affordable, and efficient. The good news? Eco-conscious packaging doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In fact, even the simplest sustainability choices can help position your brand as modern, mindful, and customer-focused.

This is more than a chance to reduce waste—it’s an opportunity to build trust and loyalty by showing that you care about what matters to your customers.

Here are a few low-effort, high-impact ways to make your packaging more planet-friendly:

• Use recyclable mailers or kraft wrapping paper
• Try compostable mailers or reusable cloth bags for local deliveries
• Cut down on excess materials and opt for minimalist packaging
• Swap in a single branded element, like a custom holiday sticker, instead of using multiple inserts
• Switch to eco-friendly labels, cards, and tags for all your packaging and marketing materials

Avery offers a wide range of eco-friendly products designed to support your goals and your workflow, so you can deliver beautiful, planet-conscious packaging without sacrificing quality or convenience. You can also read our guide on sustainable packaging and how your business can take simple steps to reduce waste.

Ready to make an impact? So are we.

Avery has decades of experience helping small businesses bring their packaging ideas to life, especially around the holidays, when every detail matters. Creating memorable holiday packaging doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or expensive. Throughout this article, we’ve shared five simple ways small businesses can upgrade their packaging for the season: from affordable branding techniques and festive design swaps to adding personal touches, prepping for smooth shipping, and exploring eco-friendly options that resonate with customers.

The best part? These ideas are quick to implement, easy to personalize, and designed to work with the materials you already have. Each small win helps turn everyday orders into meaningful moments that surprise and delight your customers.

Looking for more small business inspiration? Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok for more ideas, or check out our YouTube channel for informational tips and tutorials.