You can put a lot inside a gift box besides the gift…
When it’s the holiday season or your brand’s anniversary, and you are packaging your parcels as little gifts for your loyal customers. You put the product inside, put a box on the gift box, but the unboxing experience doesn’t look too… gift-y!
That’s when you know you need to put in something else. Something that will make your gift box more presentable and create the most magical unboxing experience for your customer so they can’t help but order more.
This blog post is all about creating those magical moments. We will discuss:
- What are gift box add-ons?
- Why do you need them?
- When to use which ones?
- Where to get the best add-ons for your gift boxes?
What To Put In A Gift Box? 8 Gift Box Add-On Ideas
Gift box add-ons can be either fillers or little inexpensive treats that you put inside the box to make it look more celebratory.
They enhance your gift box’s experience. Because let’s be honest: a modern ecommerce package is more than just the item inside. It’s the whole experience that counts. And if you’re a small business, you already know. Every little thing counts.
In fact, a study found that 40% of consumers are more likely to share photos of their purchase on social media if it comes in gift-like or branded packaging.
That’s a lot of free marketing coming out of some inexpensive detailing.
So, what exactly can you add to your gift box for that extra oomph?
Whether you’re putting together gift boxes for your brand, for clients, or for your loved ones, here are some extras you can include to make them really shine:
- Handwritten notes or cards for some personalised love
- Decorative fillers, like shredded paper, tissue, or confetti
- Customised stickers or tags
- Tiny treats like candies, cookies, or tea bags
- Little keepsakes like candles, pencils, magnets, etc
- Complementary testers, samples, discount coupons, and QR codes.
But with so many ideas, how do you decide which one you should use? Let’s go over each of them one-by-one:
- Handwritten Notes To Make The Perfect Gift For Loved Ones
Nothing says “I care” more than handwritten notes or a handmade card. They are great to add that personal touch and show your customers how much you value them.
According to research by Research Gate, in a world where customers are bombarded with merchandised messaging, using handwritten fonts on packaging makes people feel more drawn to the product. It also makes them want to touch and explore it more, which can lead to better opinions about the product and a higher chance they’ll choose it.
And the best part?
You need almost no investment to include this add-on in your gift boxes. Just a piece of paper and a sharpie.
Bonus points if you make your messages season-appropriate. Here are a few ideas for different themes:
| Thank You Messages”Just a little something to say—thank you from the bottom of my heart.” “I’m so glad you shopped from my little business. Thanks a million!” “Your order means the world. Thank you!” | Care Package Messages”Sending you a box of comfort and good vibes. You’ve got this!” “This isn’t just a package—it’s a hug in a box.” “We hope this brightens your day.” |
| Mother’s/Father’s Day Messages”To the woman/man who can fix anything (even bad days)—Happy Father’s Day!””Thanks for the laughs, the advice, and all the jokes. You’re one of a kind!””You’re not just a great mom/dad—you’re the best. Hope your day is as awesome as you are!” | Just Because / Everyday Uplifting Messages”No special reason—just wanted to make you smile today!” “You’re doing amazing. Keep going, keep growing.” “A little surprise to remind you how loved you are.” |
- Decorative Fillers For The Ultimate Gift Box Experience
Fillers can be as cheap as using an office shredder to shred left over gift paper and carefully stuffing it in the gift box. Or you can always go the extra mile and order extremely budget-friendly fillers from PackWo, customised in your brand colours.
Plus, fillers don’t have to be just shredded paper. You can use:
- Confetti
- Crinkle-cut kraft paper
- Tissue paper
- Cellophane shreds
- Wood wool
- Fabric scraps
- Shredded newspaper
These take gifting up a notch but also add cushioning and prototection to your gift boxes. Plus, if you can match the colour of your fillers with your branding, that’s a win-win for your packaging AND brand identity.
For example, soft white tissue and gold crinkle paper for a classy birthday gift set, or earthy kraft shreds for a natural, rustic care package.
- Edible Treats For A Sweet Touch To Gift Baskets (Literally!)
Who doesn’t love a little surprise snack? Adding mini artisan treats like chocolates, tea bags, popcorns, wine, candies, or cookies can bring instant joy to your gift box, especially when it’s a care package or a cozy gift basket.
The best part? These goodies don’t have to be expensive. A couple of individually wrapped chocolates or a cute herbal tea sachet can do the trick without stretching your budget. And if your audience has specific dietary needs (like gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free), including a little label or tag shows thoughtfulness and care.
You can even match the treat to the occasion: think heart-shaped candy for Valentine’s, spiced tea for Father’s Day, or mini cookies for a holiday gift set.
- Little Keepsakes Add Magic To Your Own Gift Boxes
When you think creatively, there can be a lot of inexpensive things you can add to your gift baskets or boxes to make them feel extra especial. Think of these extra gifts as an investment you make to earn precious customer loyalty.
These can be budget-friendly
- Keychains
- Fridge magnets
- Candles
- Bath salts
- Bookmarks
You can try something that matches the niche of your business. For example, I once ordered a dress from a small home-run brand. The package contained not only my dress, but also a cute little pendant, and the package smelled divine. They put a little spritz of perfume on the wrapping paper to engage my sense of smell as an extra and I was impressed.
And what’s even clever, the packaging of the pendant has a logo representing the jewellery line of the same brand. That’s great marketing, if you ask me!
- Customized Stickers or Tags on Gift Sets
We now know how much little things matter when it comes to packing an order. But custom stickers and tags are my favourites because they are such a small investment but bring about massive results.
You can easily get them printed with any messaging you want.
For branded tags, it can be:
- Logo + tagline
- QR code to your site or socials
- “Hand-packed by [Name]” for a personal touch
- Care instructions for items inside
Or maybe a heartfelt message on a sticker:
- “Thank you for supporting our small business”
- “You deserve this”
- “Packed with love & care”
- “A little treat for you”
They can even be funny or quirky:
- “Warning: contents may cause happiness”
- “Do not open until you smile”
- “Small package, big love”
- “Treat yourself—you deserve it!”
Bonus tips: Use kraft paper tags for a rustic vibe or go with glossy white stickers for a more polished feel. And if you’re feeling creative, use stickers as sealers for tissue wrap inside the box. Functional and fabulous.
- Surprise Gift Box Ideas With Testers, Samples, & Discounts
Want to turn a simple gift box into a mini marketing powerhouse? Add product testers, free samples, a discount coupon, or even a QR code. These smart little additions make your box feel more generous and can do wonders for building brand loyalty and driving repeat sales.
You can put samples of your upcoming product, testers of your best sellers, a discount code exclusive to second purchases, or a QR code that directs them to their social media to share their experience.
Fun fact: 81% of consumers are more likely to buy a product after receiving a free sample.
Where To Get The Best Gift Box Add-Ons?
Looking to fill your basket with the perfect add-ons for that personal touch? PackWo has got you covered!
With their huge collection of mailer boxes, gift boxes, packaging inserts, and custom add-ons, you can find everything you need for a magical gift box under one roof.
Their team of designers will even help you design the perfect gift box for your business by putting together a combination of high-end packaging, on-brand details, personalized tags, and matching fillers.
