Christmas is the busiest time of year. And the brand with the most compelling packaging is likely to influence the potential shopper the most.
Every order you send goes out in your packaging, and your Christmas mailers are often the first thing a customer sees of your brand. It’s an opportunity to resonate with your customers and build an emotional connection with them during the festive season.
Christmas at a glance
Peak season insight | The figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
UK gift shoppers who have started buying by the end of November | 67% | |
Growth in Royal Mail parcel volumes, October to December 2025 | +8% | |
Growth in UK online sales values, December 2025 | +11.1% | |
UK shoppers who say branded packaging would prompt a repeat purchase | 56% | |
UK shoppers who expect sustainable packaging | 70% |
Christmas shopping starts early. Packaging plays a big part in how potential shoppers decide between brands.
When to order your Christmas mailers
Festive packaging helps you stand out from competitors by enriching the customer unboxing experience. That makes customers more likely to buy again, leave a positive review or even refer a friend. Yet custom printed packaging takes time.
This is particularly the case in the run-up to Christmas. Standard orders are typically completed within 2–4 weeks, including delivery, but they can take longer as the busiest time of the year builds.
To get full use of your festive mailers, you want them in stock before that window opens. That’s why we recommend ordering at least 6–8 weeks before Christmas:
Weeks before Christmas | What to do |
|---|---|
10–12 weeks (early to mid October) | Finalise your design and artwork |
8 weeks (end of October) | Ideal time to place your order |
6 weeks (mid November) | Latest recommended order date |
4–5 weeks (late November) | Mailers in stock, ready for Black Friday |
1–4 weeks (late November to mid December) | Your main Christmas dispatch window |
Timings are a guide. Tell us your deadline when you enquire and we’ll plan around it.
Choosing the right Christmas mailers
Packaging | Best for at Christmas | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
Clothing, accessories, soft goods | Waterproof and tear-resistant for wet winter deliveries | |
Eco-conscious brands | Recyclable kraft paper with a natural, gift-like feel | |
Premium and designer gifts | Rich finishes that make a parcel feel like a present | |
Fragile gifts and gift sets | Extra protection and a proper unboxing moment | |
Garments, jewellery, small items | Keeps products neat and gift-ready inside the mailer |
Selling clothing? See our shipping bags for clothes.
Subtle festive packaging ideas to get your brand noticed
Festive branding doesn’t have to just mean snowflakes and presents. Special Christmas touches can be blended with your existing branding to create a unique and memorable unboxing experience (complementing your brand rather than contradicting it).
A few ideas that work:
Go limited edition. A seasonal colourway or winter pattern gives your customers something worth sharing (whilst also adding a sense of exclusivity to your packaging and product). This can help make your brand feel a little more special and aligned with the festive season.
Print on the inside. Hidden inside the bag, a festive greeting or a January discount code makes a small moment of surprise. This also makes the bag more interacting, improving your customers buying experience.
Don’t overpack. One in four UK shoppers would stop ordering from a brand over excess packaging (DS Smith). Mailers sized to your products, or recyclable paper mailing bags, keep things tidy.
Get ready for January returns
After Christmas comes the returns rush. Royal Mail forecast a 25% rise in returns in the first full week of January 2026, the week of “Takeback Tuesday” (Post & Parcel).
The reason is that gifts arrive in the wrong size or colour. Sometimes duplicate presents need sending back. Many extended Christmas returns windows close in early January, so shoppers act as soon as the festive break ends.
Shoppers care about your Christmas returns policy before they buy. 84% say free returns matter when choosing a retailer, and 53% expect at least 30 days to send something back (YouGov).
The right mailer makes returns easier:
A double adhesive strip: customers reseal the original bag and send it back.
Printed returns instructions: fewer “how do I return this?” emails.
See our Freepost & Returns mailing bags.
Frequently asked questions
When should I order Christmas mailers?
At least 6–8 weeks before Christmas, ideally by the end of October. That allows for production and delivery, and gets your mailers in stock for the three-week dispatch window from Black Friday to mid-December.
What’s the minimum order?
Typically 100–500 units, depending on material and specification.
Can I print a Christmas message inside the bag?
Yes. Inner print is ideal for a festive greeting, a thank you or a discount code.
Can I order in bulk and have it delivered in stages?
Yes. Our stockholding service stores your mailers and dispatches them as you need them.
Make every Christmas parcel count
Peak season is your best chance all year to win new customers. Make sure every parcel counts. Design your Christmas mailers in our bag builder for a quick quote, or call our team on 01438 873840.
