From fabulous products to the way they’re exhibited, there’s a lot going on in the food and drinks arena, giving both merchants and consumers plenty of scope to embrace creativity and new innovations.
As experts in the packaging, gifting and retail display industry, we like to keep ahead of (and set) new trends, so tracking and planning for the year’s greatest marketing opportunities is a regular part of our job. And, as we consider ourselves an extension of your brand, we’re here to help you do the same.
Below is a quick guide to some strategic focal points. It also highlights a few of the UK’s best seasonal trade shows and other important dates to diarise, ensuring that you have all the intel you need to brainstorm, purchase and personalise your merchandise well in advance. After all, you can’t offer the full package if you don’t stay ahead of the curve.
January
Primary theme
New Year’s resolutions to reboot your business.
The month's key objectives
- Rethinking strategies, refreshing your products and building your brand.
- Focusing on sustainability and other healthy habits (like ordering ahead of time).
- Upping your gifting game.
- Serving up fresh new looks with your countertop displays.
For the record (the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss)
New Year’s Day (01/01/2025)
- Keep the sales coming in for those elaborate celebrations.
The Gift Fair (08/01/2025 – 28/02/2025)
- The world’s first online trade show aimed at the gifting industry.
Chinese New Year (29/01/2025)
- This marks the year of the Snake and a month of holidays in China, so start thinking about your bespoke packaging needs (if they come from abroad) to make sure you can get them before Christmas 2025.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- Dry January (01 – 31/01/2025).
- Veganuary (01– 31/01/2025).
- International chocolate cake day (27/01/2025).
February
Primary theme
Valentine’s day gifting with a difference.
The month's key objectives
- Sourcing specialised packaging for gourmet hampers.
- Creating striking displays that will show off your Valentine’s offerings.
- Providing beautiful unboxing experiences through personalisation.
- Ordering quality transit packaging for ecommerce sales.
For the record (the shows, evens and occasions you shouldn't miss)
The Gift Fair (08 – 28/02/2025)
- The world’s first online trade show aimed at the gifting industry.
Valentine’s Day (14/02/2025)
- An optimal opportunity to target extra sales.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- Yorkshire pudding day (02/02/2025).
- National pizza day (09/02/2025).
March
Primary theme
Get ready for spring and prepare your gifting for Mother’s Day.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- revamping your tote bags in time for a busy retail season
- finding wine and beer tasting essentials for occasional gifting
- planning great unboxing experiences
- spring cleaning your retail displays and adding some little extras.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
The first day of spring (20/03/2025)
- An opportunity to step into the season with abundant creativity.
WBC SIBA sponsorship (March issue)
- A closer look at creative packaging for the beer industry.
Mother’s Day (30/03/2025)
- A time to celebrate the priceless women in our lives with beautiful gifting.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- British pie week: (03 – 09/03/2025).
- Pancake day: (04/03/2025).
- National butcher’s day: 3 – 9 March.
- St Patrick’s Day: 17 March.
April
Primary theme
Easter weekend and spring festivals.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- embracing Easter-themed packaging
- using residual budgets for must-have countertop display items
- focusing on natural, sustainable products
- relooking at how to repurpose your hampers to encourage extra sales.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Farm Shop & Deli Show (07 – 09/04/2025)
- Explore quality local produce and the latest packaging ideas.
Easter weekend (18 –21/04/2025)
- A time to focus on family hampers and drinks gifting.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- National tea day (21/04/2025).
- St George’s Day (23/04/2025).
May
Primary theme
Get ready for summer.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- finding durable, portable packaging for holiday drinks and snacks
- changing up your counter space for the summer season
- focusing on picnic hampers, food-to-go boxes and outdoor living merch
- personalising new-season totes that give your brand a voice.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Spring bank holiday (26/05/2025)
- The beginning of summer vibes and a season of abundance.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- World cocktail day (13/05/2025).
- World baking day (17/05/2025).
- World whisky day (17/05/2025).
- British sandwich week (18 – 24/05/2025).
- Vegetarian week (19 – 25/05/2025).
- World hunger day (28/05/2025).
June
Primary theme
Visit our showroom for the best Father’s Day gifting ideas.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- sourcing man-sized hamper boxes
- personalising bottle carriers and wooden wine boxes that will generate sales
- stocking up on transit and ecommerce packaging supplies
- including barware in your gifting.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Father’s Day (15/06/2025)
- An opportunity to focus on all the things dads like best.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- National cheese day (04/06/2025).
- World gin day (14/06/2025).
- National cream tea day (27/06/2025).
July
Primary theme
Taking advantage of the summer sales and getting your bespoke orders done in time for Christmas.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- making sure you have the right totes for your summer bargains
- gearing up your retail displays and ticketing for a peak sale time
- consulting with our expert team for innovative festive season ideas
- ordering your bespoke food and drinks packaging in time for Christmas.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Summer sales (01/07/2025)
- The beginning of an industrious shopping season.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- Ice cream month (01 – 31/07/2025).
- National apple turnover day (05/07/2025).
- World chocolate day (07/07/2025.
- Scotch whisky day (27/072025).
August
Primary theme
Prepare for the September harvest with top-notch protective packaging.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- exploring the best transit packaging options for your new-season wines
- finding drinks display gifting ideas that will elevate your sales
- curating wine hamper containers for every occasion
- personalising your speciality packaging to enhance visibility.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Summer bank holiday (25/05/2025)
- The beginning of summer vibes and a season of abundance.
Last push for even more summer sales
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- National oatcake day (08/08/2025).
- National burger day (28/08/2025).
September
Primary theme
Pre-Halloween preparations and the Speciality Fine Food Fair.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- finding produce that will up your farm shop and deli sales over Christmas
- thinking about clever food-to-go packaging for back-to-schoolers
- compiling Halloween themed gifting and hamper boxes
- investing in white label packaging that will make your brand visible.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Speciality Fine Food Fair (09 - 10/09/2025)
- The leading event for exploring new artisanal food products before you stock up for Christmas.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- Organic September (01 – 30/09/2025).
- National mushroom month (01 – 31/09/2025).
- National fish & chips day(06/09/2025).
- Apple day (25/09/2025).
October
Primary theme
Getting your branding sorted ahead of the festive season.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- ordering branded Christmas tote bags
- finding packaging ideas that will create memorable unboxing experiences
- sourcing hampers for corporate gifting
- reorganising your shop to accommodate the seasonal rush.
For the record
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
World food day (16/10/2025)
- This celebration of gastronomy is an ideal way to build awareness.
Halloween (31/10/2025)
- A great time to have fun with your food and drinks packaging and increase sales.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- World vegetarian day (01/10/2025).
- International coffee day (01/10/2025).
- National curry week (06 – 12/10/2025).
- National baking week (14 – 20/2025).
- World food day (16/10/2025).
- International chef’s day (20/10/2025).
- World pasta day (25/10/2025)
November
Primary theme
Christmas preparations and the Vineyard & Winery Show.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- getting your countertop displays ready for the festive shopping season
- creating bespoke hampers for early Christmas shoppers
- focusing on gifting for wine and speciality drinks sales
- placing final orders for personalised packaging.
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
The Vineyard & Winery Show (19/11/2025)
- The best networking event for wine aficionados.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- World vegan day (01/11/2025).
- Bonfire night (05/11/2025).
- St Andrews day (30/11/2025).
December
Primary theme
The final push for Christmas sales and planning for January.
Key objectives
This is the month for:
- buttoning up your last-minute gifting requirements
- showcasing your premium products with spectacular countertop displays
- curating holiday hampers and boxed gifts around Christmas and New Year
- setting aside a packaging, gifting and retail display budget for 2026.
These are the shows, events and occasions you shouldn’t miss.
Christmas Day (25/12/2025)
- The perfect opportunity to optimise your gifting and attract new customers.
New Year’s Eve (31/12/2025)
- A final boost for your year-end drinks sales.
Fun food celebration days to work into your marketing plan
- Hannukka (15 – 22/12/2025).
- National cupcake day (15/12/2025).
- Boxing day (26/12/2025).
