As the seasons shift, so do packaging styles, and in 2025, brands and creatives are leaning into gift packaging that tells a story, feels intentional and thoughful, and looks good both in real life and online. Whether you're planning ahead for Mother's Day, Christmas, or your next product launch, these seasonal packaging trends will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Let's dive into the packaging trends we're loving this year.

1. Bold, Confident Colour Palettes

2025 is the year of confident colour! This doesn't mean brands are completely disregarding safe and neutrals, but we expect to see brands embracing rich jewel tones, citrus brights, and nostalgic colour combos more by adding that little (and sometimes more!) pop of colour. These pop beautifully on screen printed glossy gift bags, tissue paper, and ribbons - perfect for catching eyes on shelves and on people carrying around your packaging!

2. Sustainability with a Stylish Edge

Eco-conscious doesn't have to mean boring. Customers are increasingly drawn to packaging that looks luxe but feels responsible. Expect to see more kraft paper, recycled fillers, and FSC-certified packaging! Bonus points if your packaging is resusable as well. 

3. Minimalist Luxe

Sometimes, you don't need to drown your packaging with bright colours or stand-out branded artwork. Depending on your business, simple packaging may actually work better in your favour. Simple can be stunning too. Simple can mean matte finishes, clean typography, soft textures, and elevated simplicity. Luxury doesn't mean over-the-top or overly-complex packaging, it can be a perfectly folded white tissue, a crisp and cleanly branded label, or a custom ribbon that does all the talking.

4. Seasonal Swaps: Custom Finishes for Key Moments

Savvy brands are creating subtle seasonal variations - like swapping in a gold foil sticker at Christmas, using floral ribbons in spring, choosing pastel bags for Easter gifting or adding a little moustache on their logo for Father's Day. These small touches show attention to detail without a full packaging overhaul. For brands on a tight budget or simply don't have enough time to swap out their packaging for seasonal events, you can keep your core pacakging neutral and use seasonal tags, tissue, or ribbons to customise throughout the year. Digital and screen printed bags can also be ordered in smaller quantities with seasonal artwork to show that you're on top of the seasons!

5. The Unboxing Experience is Everything

Unboxing is now part of the product experience. Have you noticed a rise in videos showcasing an unboxing, something along the lines of "Unbox this __ with me"? That's no accident, it captures viewers' attention and makes them stay for the whole video. How? It's the suspense, the ASMR, the telling of your brand story and how it all unfolds beautifully to reveal the item. Unboxing is now part of the product experience, and packaging is key to frame the product perfectly. In 2025, brands are going beyond function and turning packaging into a moment. This can mean surprise layers, personalised notes, beautiful closures, and tactile materials.

So What's Next?

Your packaging is your silent salesperson. It sets the tone, tells your brand story, and adds perceived value. Whether you go bold with confident colours, keep it simple, or swap seasonally, staying on trend doesn't mean a complete overhaul of your packaging. With a few thoughtful updates, your packaging can stay current, cost-effective and true to your brand.