Is anything more romantic than mixing love and profit? Surely not. So then let's talk about easy gift packaging ideas for Valentine's Day and see if our collection can't just top up the love and your cash register this season.
Valentine's Day is now worth an estimated £2.2 billion a year to UK retail, with gifting orders up 26 per cent year on year, which isn't bad when you consider that spend on this occasion is often squeezed by lower disposable incomes and consumer confidence. Offering ready-made gifts at this time of year can help to boost sales in what is always a relatively quiet first quarter.
So whatever you do, make it easy for customers to 'gift it quickly' by offering hampers and gift baskets at a range of price points in the run up to the big day.
Valentine's gift packaging for wine lovers
Packaging for wine, spirits and beer has gone from strength to strength, with options ranging from wrapping a bottle in tissue to luxury flat-packed magnetic gift boxes with space for stemmed glassware.
For a counter display, a single-bottle gift box or bottle bag is the most affordable option. Our gift boxes are easy to assemble, allowing staff to put together a gift in seconds. Red is the obvious choice for Valentine's Day, but our Passion Flower bottle bag offers something a little less predictable. Alternatively, a kraft bag finished with a red ribbon works just as well and can be repurposed for other occasions throughout the year.
If the bottle is going in the post rather than over the counter, always check that your gift box has a mail order outer available for purchase separately. A gift box on its own is not built for the courier network.
Outside our extensive range of drink gifting solutions, we also offer a selection of cellophane wrap that is ideal for wrapping bottles when finished with a ribbon.
Gift boxes for foodies
WBC's range of wholesale gift and hamper boxes includes cake boxes, wooden and card hamper boxes and postal gift boxes. For food retailers the range also includes jar bags, gift bags and gift trays.
Match the container to the shape of the product. Jars and preserves sit well in a kraft jar bag with a window, allowing customers to see what they're buying without opening the packaging. Chocolates, fudge and confectionery are well suited to a card gift tray, which is available in red as well as black and kraft. A heart-shaped gift box is worth stocking in small numbers as a counter impulse buy, since it requires no additional dressing.
Most of the range can also be printed with your own logo, with lead times of 7 to 10 working days from artwork approval. To receive branded merchandise in time for Valentine, we suggest ordering in January, giving you time to display your products on shelf.
Wicker hampers
Wicker hampers are a luxurious gift that can be reused time and time again, offering lasting value long after Valentine's Day. Made from natural, sustainably sourced willow, they are an excellent choice for eco-conscious shoppers. They also provide a thoughtful way to present a gift that feels both personal and enduring.
For Valentine's Day, smaller is often more effective. A 12-inch wicker hamper or wicker gift tray provides enough space for two or three carefully chosen items while keeping the overall gift affordable. Finish the presentation with a cotton liner and fill any gaps with deep red or pink shred for a classic Valentine's look.
Our wicker hampers are fitted with faux leather straps for secure closure. However, we also offer open wicker baskets. To help customers transport them safely, we recommend wrapping them in protective packaging such as a cellophane hamper bag, which keeps the contents securely in place while also preventing browsing customers from unpacking your display before it sells.
Finishing touches
The finishing touches can help elevate the unboxing experience, adding a touch of 'je ne sais quoi'. From elegant bows and ribbons to seasonal stickers, we have everything you need to create a memorable Valentine's Day presentation.
From a red heart to a "With Love" message, gift tags and stickers do the job for pennies per gift. Cotton ribbon printed with hearts works on everything from a bottle bag to a wicker tray. Best of all, none of it takes any special skill to apply, which is invaluable when the shop is busy.
Finishing touches make your core range suitable for every season, so there's no need to overstock. Buy the boxes and trays once, then update the tags, stickers and ribbons as the year progresses. Are you ready for every gifting occasion this year?
Once the packaging is sorted, attention turns to presentation. We've written separately about Valentine's countertop displays, with ideas to help you merchandise your gifts and encourage impulse purchases.
Frequently asked questions about Valentine's Day packaging
How do you package gifts for Valentine's Day?
Start with a container that's sized to the product, add filler, preferably red shred to suit the occasion, to hold everything securely in place, then finish with a "With Love" tag, heart-printed ribbon or red sticker. Bottles suit a single-bottle gift box or paper bottle bag, while food gifts work well in a card gift tray or a jar bag with a window, allowing customers to see exactly what they're buying.
What should go in a Valentine's Day hamper?
A Valentine's hamper is usually best kept small. Two or three complementary items, such as a bottle of fizz paired with chocolates or a jar of preserves alongside a scented candle, are quicker to assemble and easier to price than a full-sized hamper. Build the gift in a small wicker basket, card gift tray or front-opening hamper box, then add deep red or pink shred to keep everything securely in place. Finish with a heart sticker or a "With Love" gift tag for a simple seasonal touch.
