5 Easy Holiday Packaging Wins for Small Businesses

How to make your packaging festive for the holidays

The holiday season tends to bring a rush of orders, and with it, a lot of pressure to get each one just right. But making your packaging feel festive doesn’t require a complete redesign or a big budget. Small touches like a custom label, seasonal tag, or seasonal thank-you sticker can give a basic box or bag a polished, gift-ready feel.

As someone who keeps an eye on small business packaging both professionally and as an avid shopper, I’ve noticed how much those thoughtful details can add to the experience. Whether you’re customizing printable labels at home or using our professional printing service, Avery makes it easy to add festive touches that still feel like your brand. Here are five practical ways to make your holiday packaging feel special without adding stress to your busy season.

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

During the holidays, custom packaging for small businesses does more than make your products look polished. It helps tell your brand story. Whether you’re shipping directly to customers, selling at markets, or fulfilling last-minute gift orders, branded packaging can help create a more memorable customer experience. Research from Mondi also shows that packaging can influence whether customers purchase from a retailer again.

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. Or, you can use our custom printing service to order professionally printed pieces that coordinate with your brand.

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 paper 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, special offer, or your social pages

These small touches can help create a cohesive, gift-ready experience without requiring a complete packaging redesign.

Win #2: Make simple seasonal swaps

You don’t need to redesign your entire packaging just to make it holiday-ready. A few simple swaps can add 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, update the designs with seasonal colors or elements like snowflakes or greenery. Printable holiday labels, pre-designed tags, and festive thank-you stickers are quick, affordable upgrades that work with the materials you already use.

Try pairing colorful string or ribbon with kraft tags, adding festive stickers to your standard mailers, or swapping in a cheerful holiday message on your existing thank-you card template. These simple updates can create a more festive unboxing experience without adding more to your holiday 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. Even a few seconds of personalization can help make an order feel more memorable.

I’ve received packages with cheerful “Packed with Care” stickers or handwritten notes, and those little touches always make an impression. A thank-you card, personalized sticker, or simple packaging insert can add something special to the unboxing experience without requiring custom packaging.

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 create custom QR Code stickers that link to a thank-you message, video, or other content.

These low-effort ideas make it easier to add a personal touch to your holiday packaging without sacrificing speed.

Win #4: Prep your packaging for shipping success

The holiday rush can put extra pressure on shipping timelines, which makes planning ahead especially important. And it’s not just your products that need to be ready to go. Preparing your packaging supplies ahead of time can make fulfillment easier when orders start piling up.

Stock up on sturdy mailers, cushioning materials, and weather-resistant labels to help protect packages along the way. Branded shipping and return address labels can also add a polished touch while keeping your business visible from doorstep to doorstep.

Batch printing can save time during the holiday rush, too. With Avery Design & Print, you can prepare shipping labels, return address labels, thank-you cards, product inserts, and more ahead of time so you’re not scrambling with every new order.

A little prep now can help keep your packaging process moving when the busy season hits.

Win #5: Choose easy eco-friendly packaging options

The holiday season can mean more boxes, wrapping, and packaging materials going out the door. If reducing waste is a priority for your business, a few simple changes can help make your holiday packaging more eco-friendly without making your process more complicated.

Start with the materials you already use and look for opportunities to reduce, reuse, or swap in more eco-friendly options. Even small changes can help you create thoughtful, gift-ready packaging while cutting down on unnecessary materials.

Here are a few easy ways to make your holiday packaging more eco-friendly:

• Use recyclable mailers or kraft wrapping paper
• Reuse packaging materials when practical
• Cut down on excess materials and use only the packaging materials you need
• Use one branded element, like a custom holiday sticker, instead of multiple inserts
• Choose eco-friendly labels, cards, and tags for your packaging and marketing materials

Avery offers eco-friendly product options that can help you make more mindful packaging choices without adding extra steps to your workflow. For more ideas, you can read our guide on sustainable packaging and how your business can take simple steps to reduce waste.

Bonus tip: Don’t overdo your holiday packaging

It’s easy to go overboard with holiday packaging. Instead of changing everything at once, focus on a few details that complement your existing brand and packaging. Avoid adding unnecessary materials, choosing seasonal designs that compete with your branding, or waiting until orders pile up to prep labels, cards, and other packaging essentials.

Ready to make an impact? So are we.

Holiday packaging doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to make an impression. A few thoughtful updates can turn the boxes, bags, and mailers you already use into a festive, gift-ready experience that still feels like your brand.

Avery has decades of experience helping small businesses bring their packaging ideas to life. Whether you’re printing labels and cards yourself or ordering custom-printed stickers, tags, and more, you can choose the options that work best for your business and your busy holiday season.

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. Prepping for a holiday event? Check out our guide to event marketing ideas for even more ways to get ready for the season.