Luxury gifting is among the best ways for a company to stand out at Christmas, and few things make a splash like a good bottle of wine. Or two.
Of course, it’s not just a case of finding a lovely bottle of bubbly and sending it to a client or loved one. For a luxury gift to be… well, luxury, every individual element of the package must be outstanding. It should look good, feel good and generate fizzing excitement from the moment it reaches the recipient.
That’s why it’s important for businesses to start preparing their luxury gifts well ahead of time. Misjudged or rushed packaging undermines the premium effect, but if properly executed, you’ll create gifts that stick in the mind long after the decorations come down.
So, whether you’re creating luxury wine gifts for corporate clients, or for your most treasured friends and family, here are the things you should consider:
Choosing a box
The first step is to think about where you place your wine. The box must be strong enough to protect the bottles and add aesthetic appeal. With those criteria in mind, here are our recommendations:
The premium option: wooden wine boxes
If you want to present that aura of prestige, wooden wine boxes are the ultimate option.
Not only does wood offer excellent resistance to physical damage, it also provides the all-important perception of quality that elevates the unboxing experience from great to exceptional.
Plus, they’re eco-friendly - made from FSC-certified wood that has been responsibly sourced and managed, and designed to be reused rather than discarded. They’re a lovely item in their own right.
There are many types of wine box available, so here are a few things to ponder:
- The size: How many bottles are you gifting? Is it just wine, or do you want to add extra elements like chocolates or cheese? You can get wine boxes for single bottles, multiple bottles, and even large wooden hamper boxes that hold 12 bottles with room for crackers, chutneys and anything else you want to include.
- The wood: The material your box is made from has a significant impact on the appeal and aesthetic of your gift. Pine, for example, offers a great balance of quality, durability and affordability, while elm offers greater strength, damage resistance and a more premium feel. Consider your budget and the effect you want to deliver and choose the wood that matches those needs.
- The box type: Wine boxes come in many different configurations, so consider the lid and how that will affect the unboxing experience. For example, if you want your bottles to stand upright, sliding lids are a smart choice. On the other hand, hinged lids look incredible (and add extra security), but the box will likely be opened laid flat.
- Linings: A silk or satin lining adds a premium finish to the package. If you want your bottles dressed to impress, this is a must-have.
- Branding: For a truly deluxe presentation, personalise your wine box with an image, text or engraved logo. Putting your own unique stamp on the packaging makes it stand out from the crowd and stick in the mind of the recipient. This is particularly effective for corporate gifts where you don’t just want your clients to remember the wine, but who it came from.
Presentation gift boxes
While wood is the most luxurious choice for a wine box, it’s not the only one. Presentation gift boxes made from high-quality cartonboard deliver high-end presentation at a lower cost. There are plenty of appealing options available, so here are some suggestions:
- Magnetic locks: Magnetic locks make for an exceptional gifting experience. Not only are they attractive (pun only partially intended), but they also secure the drinks inside. Plus, they’re really satisfying to snap open and close.
- Windows: Your bottle is the star of the show, and windowed boxes present it front and centre. What you may lose in surprise and anticipation, you’ll gain in delight when people see the fine wine within.
- Colour: The colour of the box creates an impression. For example, a premium black - or ‘charcoal’ - box presents a veneer of professionalism, while burgundy red conveys class (plus thematic consistency if you’re gifting a Burgundy!). And of course, reds, greens and whites are always popular around Christmas.
- Personalisation: For maximum impact, personalisation is always the way to go. Adding something as simple as your logo adds prestige to a package and goes a long way towards making it feel extra special.
Filler and inserts
It’s important to keep your bottles safe and secure, especially if you plan to ship your gift to its recipient. For that reason, it’s sensible to use a filler material to pack any empty space in the box and cushion the drinks.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Wood wool - made from sustainable wood, this lightweight material is a natural, attractive and eco-friendly way to protect your goods.
- Sizzlepak Shred - if you want to add some colour to your gift, Sizzlepak Shred is the way to go. It’s made from 85% recycled material and comes in a range of colours, including Christmassy hues like red and green.
- Silk lining - for a sense of luxury, add a silk lining to your box. Easy to apply and available in a range of colours, they're great way to elevate your gift.
Extras and accessories
A lovely box only gets you so far - for a truly luxurious gift, you have to go the extra mile. Adding appealing finishing touches sends a message that this is a considered, curated gift that you have put effort and care into. It takes a corporate gift from an impressive package to the full one.
So, consider the following flourishes:
- Tissue wrap: Tissue wrap is ideal for covering bottles or boxes. It dramatically enhances the presentation, adding an element of anticipation for the lucky person who gets to tear it off. It’s also practical, protecting the wine or container from dirt, humidity, and scratches.
- Ribbons: A satin ribbon ties everything together - literally. It helps keep the box lid in place, but its appeal goes much further than the practical. It’s a beautiful visual flourish and makes the unboxing experience so much more exciting. You can even personalise your ribbon to reinforce your brand in the mind of your clients.
- Be wise - accessorise: Accessories add pizzazz to a package. Seal your box with branded stickers to build your profile or add hand-written gift tags and notes for a personal touch. All these little extra flourishes add to the value of a package.
Bring it all together
If you want to send luxury gifts this Christmas, you would be wise to start planning now. You’ll get greater choice, more flexibility in terms of customisation and far less stress than if you leave it to the last minute.
We’ve given you a rundown of the elements to plan for, but how they come together up to you - there’s plenty of scope to put your own spin on things and make a package that’s uniquely you.
To help you out, we’ve put together a checklist of everything you should include:
Luxury wine gift packaging checklist
- Premium bottle box
- Luxury lining
- Protective insert and / or filler
- Personalised branding
- Seasonal colour scheme
- Ribbon and gift message
- Sustainable materials
- Delivery protection
Of course, if you need support, WBC’s design team will work with you to create your perfect luxury packaging. We’ll help you find the box for your budget, as well as all those extra touches that elevate it to premium level. Get in touch today.
