Manor Food Christmas Labels: Seasonal Packaging Design
A gift says more when it is clearly made for the person who receives it. For Manor, the Swiss department store chain, we designed custom Christmas labels and packaging for jars of jam given as a Christmas gift to its employees. A small project with a simple goal: turn a jar of jam into a present that feels personal and special.
Why labels matter
On a food product the label is the first thing people see and the thing they remember. It tells them what is inside, but also who it comes from and how much care went into it. A plain jar is just food; the same jar with a well-designed label becomes a gift.
For a company gift to employees, the label also carries a message from the company: thanks for the year of work, and best wishes for the holidays.
The project: Christmas gifts for Manor employees
Manor wanted a Christmas gift for its staff that was simple, warm and of good quality. The choice was jars of jam with dedicated packaging and labels. We designed:
- personalised Christmas labels for the jars;
- packaging to present each jar as a gift;
- a design that matched the Christmas season and the Manor Food brand.
Designing a food label
Clear information
A food label must say clearly what the product is. Even on a gift, the flavour and the essential information have to be easy to read.
The right atmosphere
Colours, illustrations and typography set the mood. For Christmas that means warmth and festivity without falling into clichés.
Brand consistency
The labels had to belong to the company that gives them. Logo and visual style connect the gift to the brand.
Practical constraints
Size of the jar, shape of the label, type of paper and printing method all affect the design. We prepared files that fit the real jars and print correctly.
Packaging that completes the gift
The packaging turns a product into a present. It protects the jar, makes it easy to hand out, and creates a small moment of surprise when it is opened. Together with the label, it makes the gift feel complete and cared for.
Ideas for corporate Christmas gifts
Custom labels and packaging work for many kinds of corporate gifts:
- jams, honey, oil and other local food products;
- wine and spirits with personalised labels;
- chocolates and sweets in branded boxes;
- gift boxes combining several products.
The product can be simple; it is the design that makes it memorable.
Not only for Christmas
The same approach 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.
Labels and packaging at Donkey Lab
We have worked with Swiss clients for many years, including large retailers like Manor. Label and packaging design is part of our graphic design services, together with branding, print and websites.
From design to the finished jar
A label 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 does not 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 the correct margins and colours.
- Printing. We advise on paper, adhesive and finish, for example matte, gloss or textured paper.
Small details, big effect
Corporate gifts are often forgotten quickly. A personalised label and careful packaging change that: the gift is kept, photographed and remembered. For a company, it is an inexpensive way to show attention to its people and to strengthen its brand at the same time.
Planning a seasonal packaging project
Christmas labels have a fixed deadline that cannot move, so timing is part of the design. A realistic schedule works backwards from the date the products must be on the shelf:
- Brief and concept: agree on style, products and quantities early in the autumn.
- Design and proofs: leave time for revisions and for checking all legal text on the labels.
- Printing: printers are busiest before the holidays, so book production in advance.
- Labelling 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 for gift boxes, tags or social media.
Frequently asked questions
Can you design labels for my food products?
Yes. We design labels for food producers, shops and companies, for sale or as gifts.
Do you prepare files for printing?
Yes. We deliver print-ready files sized for your jars, bottles or boxes.
How early should I plan Christmas gifts?
We recommend starting at least a couple of months before, to leave time for design, approval and printing.
Can each label be personalised with a name?
Yes. Labels can include names or messages for each recipient.
Planning your company gifts?
See more of our work in the portfolio.
