The Timeline for Holiday Packaging: When to Order and What to Expect

Why Holiday Packaging Matters More Than Ever

The holidays are a magical time, but for many businesses, they can also be the most demanding. Whether you're a winery launching a limited-edition winter blend, a retailer rolling out festive gift sets, or a beverage brand introducing seasonal flavours, your packaging plays a key role in the success of your holiday campaign. Holiday packaging is a powerful marketing tool that can drive sales, increase your brand presence, and create a memorable customer experience. But to pull it off seamlessly, you need more than a great design - you need a solid plan.

Holiday-themed packaging doesn’t just look good, it sells. Consumers are drawn to seasonal designs that evoke nostalgia, celebration, and gift-giving. Strategic holiday packaging can:

• Boost visibility on shelves and online stores

• Encourage impulse purchases and gift-buying

• Enhance your brand story and product experience

• Create shareable moments on social media

• Support seasonal promotions or limited time offers

But here’s the catch: all of this takes time. From design to delivery, holiday packaging isn’t something that can be rushed without risking quality, consistency, or supply chain delays. That’s why early planning is essential. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step roadmap for holiday packaging success, so you can stay ahead of the rush, avoid costly delays, and deliver packaging that pleases.

Your Holiday Packaging Timeline: Month-by-Month Breakdown

Planning ahead is the key to a smooth holiday season. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown to help you stay on track and ensure your holiday packaging is ready when it matters most.

June–July: Begin Planning & Design

Yes, you read that right! Holiday packaging planning should start in the summer.

This is the time to:

• Review past holiday performance

• Set goals for the upcoming season

• Start conceptualizing packaging themes, colours, and messaging

• Coordinate with your marketing, design, and product teams

If you’re working with a packaging partner like KinsBrae, this is when you should start discussing ideas and capabilities. Whether it’s custom boxboard, holiday gift boxes, seasonal shrink sleeves, or the revolutionary paper KB Bottle, we can help you bring your vision to life.

Tip: Consider sustainability in your design. More than ever, consumers are seeking eco-friendly options during the holidays - something we specialize in at KinsBrae.

August–September: Finalize Designs & Place Orders

By the end of August, you should be locking in your packaging designs and submitting orders.

This step includes:

• Finalizing dielines and proofs

• Confirming materials and quantities

• Submitting artwork for approval

• Signing off on production schedules

Production lead times vary depending on the product. For custom items like gift boxes, trays, and boxboard, turnaround can range from 4 to 8 weeks. Specialty items like paper KB Bottles may take longer, especially during the busy season.

Tip: The earlier you place your order, the more flexibility you’ll have for changes or reorders.

October: Production & Quality Checks

Once your order is finalized, it’s placed into our queue and scheduled for production to begin.

During this time:

• Your packaging is manufactured and printed

• Quality checks are conducted to ensure everything meets your specs

• Any assembly or pre-packing services are completed

Our team at KinsBrae prides itself on attention to detail. From print quality to structural integrity, we make sure your packaging arrives exactly as envisioned.

Tip: Stay in close contact with your packaging partner. Proactive communication helps keep timelines on track and gives you peace of mind.

Late October–Early November: Shipping & Delivery

By now, your packaging should be shipping out and arriving at your facility. Make sure you’ve coordinated with your fulfillment or co-packing partners to receive, store, and assemble products as needed.

If you're launching a holiday campaign or limited-time offer, aim to have everything on hand no later than mid-November.

Tip: Don't forget transit times! Weather delays and increased carrier volumes can impact delivery windows, especially closer to holidays.

Mid-November–December: Launch & Promote

With packaging in hand, it’s go-time. Launch your holiday promotions, start shipping out products, and let your packaging shine.

During this phase:

• Activate your marketing campaigns (social, email, in-store, etc.)

• Encourage customers to share photos and reviews

• Monitor inventory levels and reorder if needed (if timelines allow)

Tip: Use your holiday packaging as a storytelling tool. Add QR codes, fun messaging, or unique unboxing elements to surprise and delight your customers.

What to Expect When Working with KinsBrae

At KinsBrae Packaging, we know how important it is to get things right, especially during the holidays.

Here’s what you can expect when partnering with us:

• Expert Guidance

  Our team works with businesses of all sizes across the food, beverage, retail, and nutraceutical industries. We understand seasonal trends and can help guide your packaging strategy to stand out.

• Flexible Minimums & Fast Turnarounds

  We offer competitive minimum order quantities and some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. That means you don’t need to over-order or compromise on deadlines.

• Custom & Stock Options

  Whether you’re creating something entirely new or updating an existing line, we have solutions that fit your brand - including corrugate, boxboard, sleeves, labels, and more.

• Sustainability at the Core

  Our eco-conscious options, like paper KB Bottles, help reduce environmental impact without sacrificing quality or design.

Don’t Let the Season Sneak Up on You

The holiday season comes with its own rhythm and expectations. Don’t let last-minute decisions or supply chain delays derail your sales or compromise your brand experience. With the right planning, the right packaging partner, and the right timeline, you can deliver a festive, impactful product experience that keeps your customers coming back year after year.

Ready to plan your holiday packaging? Let’s talk.

Contact the KinsBrae team today to get started - we’ll help you wrap up your holiday goals with packaging that stands out and delivers.

Need help fast? We offer both custom and ready-to-ship options that can work with your timelines. Get in touch with us at info@kinsbraegroup.com or visit our website to learn more.