Our advice to help you make the right packaging choices
The Advent calendar is THE flagship product for the festive season. A box that guarantees a 24-day countdown to the month of December. The best calendars are making the rounds on the web and in the shops, and everyone is snapping them up.
To create attractive advent calendar packaging, you need to choose the right design and materials to attract customers.
Innovative and attractive packaging can stand out in a competitive market and enhance the user experience, making opening the product magical. To help you find your way around, MPO has put together a few tips to help you understand which packaging is best.
Why make an advent calendar?
A LEVER FOR SALES PROMOTION
Advent calendars are first and foremost sales promotion tools. They draw attention to products and brands right from the start of the festive season. Available in shops from November onwards, they are real shop windows for consumers. Brands can create several versions, from simple to premium, to reach a wider segment of customers.
A LEVER FOR BRAND IMAGE
They act as cases that showcase the brand’s products in an aesthetic and original way. This brand design transforms calendars into powerful visual media, reflecting the brand’s values and identity. They are also an excellent communication tool on social networks.
A LEVER FOR ACQUISITION AND LOYALTY
These are not just seasonal products, they represent a strategic opportunity to acquire new customers and retain existing ones. The calendar is an initial introduction to the products for new customers, with the aim of turning them into regular customers.
For existing customers, the calendar acts as a driver for repeat purchases and reinforces brand loyalty.
AN ADAPTABLE PRODUCT
The flexibility of the concept means it can be adapted to other times of the year. Brands can adapt this concept to reach more consumers at different times of the year, increasing their engagement.
The key stages in packaging an advent calendar
COST ESTIMATE
This process involves considering 3 main levers:
- the cost of the products includedthe packaging chosen
- the quantities produced
- Product costs can vary considerably, which has a direct impact on the overall budget.
It is important to strike a balance between product quality and cost. Sometimes you need to consider options such as accessories or co-branding to optimise expenditure.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
Technical development is crucial to creating your advent calendar concept. Here are the decisive elements of your calendar to consider:
- product selection
- the type of packaging
- the cushioning system, as well as validating the product layout. To do this, it is important to be able to visualise the final product to check any necessary adjustments.
CALENDAR TYPE
The choice of packaging is crucial, combining aesthetics and functionality.
The packaging
- There are different types of cardboard packaging: flexible, rigid or a combination of the two.
- It can also be articulated in one part or several parts
- It can have one or two flaps
- It can be made with boxes to open, cases or drawers.
The wedging system
The cushioning system holds the products in place. Depending on your cushioning system, whether thermoformed plastic, corrugated cardboard or in the form of cases, your concept will have a different design.
Finishes and decorative elements
Advent calendars can be finished in all the finest ways to enhance your graphic design. Selective varnish can be used to highlight specific elements. Hot stamping can give your logo or a few details a metallic touch. Silver lamination will ensure a fairytale setting.
You can also add ribbons, special fasteners or other creative materials.
These choices will depend on a number of factors: cost, aesthetics and environmental aspects. Your Advent calendar is a product that must appeal to consumers and be like you.
MANUFACTURING, CO-PACKING AND LOGISTICS
After development comes the manufacture of the packaging, the co-packing of the products inside and the management of logistics.
- Manufacturing involves a number of key stages, including printing, finishing, cutting, assembly and packaging.
- Logistics involves organising the transport of finished products to points of sale, purchasing centres or directly to consumers.
- Planning this stage is essential if production and delivery deadlines are to be met.
CONCRETE EXAMPLES OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
We mainly work in the beauty and delicatessen sectors.
At Paris Packaging Week, our innovative calendar for distributor Dugas won the PLD Innovation Award in the spirits sector. You can find out more about our other work by visiting our website.
Towards more eco-responsible advent calendar packaging
TRADITIONAL CARDBOARD PACKAGING
Cardboard remains the preferred choice for this type of design. It is appreciated for its ease of customisation and low environmental impact.
According to a study published by Citéo, the organisation responsible for collecting paper and cardboard in France, cardboard remains one of the best recyclable materials, with a 63% recycling rate compared with 24.5% for plastic.
The adoption of cardboard solutions is a response to growing consumer demand for environmentally-friendly packaging.
A recent study by Enterprise League found that 40% of consumers share images of their packaging on social networks when the design is unique, responsible or branded, providing free exposure and potentially increasing sales for companies that invest in distinctive and attractive packaging designs.
INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
When it comes to selecting the ideal material, a number of factors come into play:
- Sustainability is at the forefront, looking for materials that minimise waste and encourage reuse or recycling.
- Cost is also an important factor, as it must fit the budget without compromising quality.
- Environmental impact must be considered, favouring materials with a low carbon footprint and those that support responsible production.
Here are our materials:
- FSC certified cardboard – All MPO cardboard is FSC® certified, an eco-label guaranteeing sustainable forest management.
- Recycled cardboard – MPO offers cardboard made from 100% recycled fibres. What’s more, it is made from FSC-certified paper off-cuts, so this board is itself FSC-certifiable.
- Upcycled cardboard – MPO offers a biosourced cardboard made from flax, hemp and sugar cane residues.
Choosing these materials is not just an ecological gesture. It’s also a selling point that is increasingly resonating with environmentally conscious consumers.
In conclusion, bespoke packaging is essential to seduce and convey your brand identity, while creating a connection with the buyer. In reviewing carton packaging options, we noted the importance of appearance, utility and durability.
The careful selection of materials, combined with a personalised design, transforms the advent calendar into a unique and eco-friendly experience. Such a commitment to quality and eco-consciousness sets your offer apart, meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers.
MPO is here to guide you towards tailor-made, sustainable options.