A gift says more when it is clearly made for the person receiving it. For Manor, the Swiss department-store chain, we designed personalized Christmas labels and packaging for jars of jam given to employees at Christmas. A small project with a simple goal: turn a jar of jam into a gift that feels personal and special.
In this article
Why labels matter
On a food product the label is the first thing you see and the thing you remember. It says what’s inside, but also who it comes from and how much care went into it. A jar without a label is just food; the same jar with a well-designed label becomes a gift: that’s the job of personalized Christmas labels.
In a corporate gift for employees, the label also carries a message from the company: thank you for the year’s work and happy holidays.
The project: Christmas gifts for Manor employees
Manor wanted a Christmas gift for its staff that was simple, warm and good quality. The choice was jars of jam with dedicated packaging and labels. We designed:
- personalized Christmas labels for the jars;
- a package to present each jar as a gift;
- a graphic design in tune with the Christmas season and with the Manor Food brand.
How a food label is designed
Clear information
A food label must clearly say what the product is. Even on a gift, the flavour and the essential information must be easy to read.
The right atmosphere
Colours, illustrations and typefaces create the mood. At Christmas that means warmth and celebration without falling into clichés.
Consistency with the brand
The labels must belong to the company giving them: the logo and visual style tie the gift to the brand.
Practical constraints
Jar size, label shape, paper type and printing method all influence the design. We prepared files suited to the real jars and correct for printing.
The packaging that completes the gift
Packaging turns a product into a gift: it protects the jar, makes it easy to hand over and creates a small moment of surprise when it’s opened. Together with the label, it makes the gift feel complete and cared for.
Ideas for corporate Christmas gifts
Custom labels and packaging suit many types of corporate gift:
- jams, honey, oil and other local products;
- wine and spirits with personalized labels;
- chocolates and sweets in branded boxes;
- gift boxes that bring several products together.
The product can be simple: it’s the design that makes it memorable.
Not just Christmas
The same approach as personalized Christmas labels works all year round: labels for food producers, wine labels, packaging for shops and restaurants, gifts for anniversaries, events and clients. We also designed the Christmas dinner kit with menu and wine cards, part of our print work for the food sector: we talk about it in the article on the Christmas menu for restaurants.
From design to finished jar
A personalized Christmas labels project follows a few simple steps:
- Brief. Product, quantity, occasion, message and deadline.
- Measurements. We take the real dimensions of the jar or bottle, because a label that doesn’t fit ruins the result.
- Design proposals. We present the design on a realistic mockup of the product.
- Approval and files. After approval we prepare print-ready files, with correct margins and colours.
- Printing. We recommend paper, adhesive and finish, for example matte, glossy or textured paper.
Small details, big effect
Corporate gifts are quickly forgotten. Personalized Christmas labels and carefully made packaging change that: the gift is kept, photographed and remembered. For a company it’s an inexpensive way to show attention to people and strengthen the brand at the same time.
Planning a seasonal packaging project
Christmas labels have a deadline that can’t be moved, so time is part of the project. A realistic schedule starts from the date the products must be ready and works backwards:
- Brief and concept: agree style, products and quantities early in the fall.
- Design and proofs: leave time for revisions and for checking all the legal text on the labels.
- Printing: print shops fill up before the holidays, so book production in advance.
- Application and distribution: allow time to apply the labels and deliver the products.
Starting early avoids rushed decisions and extra costs and leaves room to adapt the same design to gift boxes, tags or social media.
Labels and packaging the Donkey Lab way
We have worked for many years with Swiss clients, including large chains like Manor. Labels and packaging are part of our graphic design services, together with corporate identity, print and websites. More work in the portfolio. For a first assessment, book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about personalized Christmas labels
Can you design labels for my food products?
Yes. We design labels for food producers, shops and businesses, both for sale and for gifts.
Do you prepare the files for printing?
Yes. We deliver print-ready files, sized for your jars, bottles or boxes.
How far ahead should I plan Christmas gifts?
We recommend starting at least a couple of months ahead, to leave time for design, approval and printing.
Can each label be personalized with a name?
Yes. Labels can carry names or messages for each recipient.
Planning your company’s gifts?
Tell us the product, quantity and deadline: we’ll reply with a written quote.