During the holiday season, online shopping activity in the Philippines would skyrocket—Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop would all hit their highest traffic for the year. But there is something even more important beyond the double-digit sales and free shipping vouchers: the Pinoy consumer behavior is shifting, and this shift gives us insight into the packaging trends for the upcoming year.
Based on the Pinoy’s shopping patterns this holiday season, the following are the packaging trends that we expect to see this 2026:
Trend #1: Gift-ready packaging is now a must, not a bonus!
For Pinoys during this holiday season, the sentiment ‘Hindi na enough ang plain delivery box, dapat regalo-ready na!’ rings loud and clear. This means it is no longer enough that parcels are delivered in ordinary-looking packaging. It has to look presentable the moment they leave the store till the moment they arrive at the recipient’s doorstep.
With more and more people resorting to buying gifts through online shopping platforms and sending them straight to their family’s and friends’ addresses, the exterior of the parcel becomes an integral part of the gift and the unboxing experience. By opting to buy gifts online, this is a win on both parties – for the sender, this eliminates the additional process of gift-wrapping, providing convenience. On the recipient’s side, opening a regalo-ready gift makes the unboxing experience more memorable.
To make a packaging regalo-ready this holiday season, consider opting for packaging with Christmas-themed color palettes or festive patterns on the exterior. An example of this is the Holiday Ham packaging (shown below) we printed for one of our clients in the Food and Beverage industry!
Trend #2: Courier-friendly packaging that can withstand the test of time
With the surge of behind-the-scenes footage on how shipping companies handle parcels, Pinoy shoppers are becoming more and more aware of how rough shipping can get. Especially during peak season, such as the month of December, the saying ‘Mas naging kritikal na ngayon ang durability ng packaging, lalo na kapag peak season at sabay-sabay ang parcels sa sorting centers’ is more relevant than ever.
The aforementioned saying highlights the importance of packaging durability, especially during peak season. Around this time, colossal amounts of parcels all go through the same sorting centers, piling up into huge mounds of deliverables. While some parcels may arrive to their destination unscatched, some parcels might not have the best luck – experiencing dents and damage due to mishandling and high volume of orders. Given that people want their parcels to look regalo-ready, packaging that is damaged or dented upon arrival is unacceptable, even if the product inside it is in good condition.
Pinoy shoppers now look for brands that use courier-friendly, shockproof packaging, such as kraft bubble wraps, styrofoam fillers, corrugated boxes, rigid boxes, or packaging with thick internal padding. By opting for these kinds of packaging, no matter how many sorting centers it goes through, not only is the product safe and secure from store to doorstep, but the packaging will also look presentable to the recipient.
Trend #3: Lightweight Products = Lower Shipping Fees = Happier Pinoy Shoppers
‘Maganda sana yung product pero ang bigat ng shipping fee. Ayoko ko na mag check-out!’. This means that no matter the quality of the product, if the shipping fee is too steep, the chances of them abandoning their cart are very likely, thereby losing a potential customer.
Regardless of the occasion, for Pinoy shoppers, the phrase “free shipping” is music to their ears. To attain free shipping easily, it is recommended that the product and its packaging are not only lightweight but also small or medium in size. However, if your product is on the heavier side, we recommend opting for lightweight packaging solutions, such as kraft bubble wrap and corrugated carton, that help keep shipping fees low—without compromising on protection.
Trend #4: Go eco-friendly without breaking the bank
‘Ang convenient mag-shop online pero na-kokonsensya ako sa packaging.’ This means that while online shopping is convenient, sometimes people cannot help but feel conscious when the parcel arrives at their doorstep, covered in thick, multiple layers of plastic bubble wrap.
This feeling can be felt by many Pinoy online shoppers, though this does not stop them from shopping online.
With the rise of e-commerce comes the rise in the usage of cheap, non-recyclable wrapping materials such as plastic bubble wraps, which can be a detriment to our environment. As sustainable alternatives come in premium pricing due to novelty, brands are currently leaning toward practical sustainability: using pieces of corrugated carton or kraft bubble wrap instead of plastic bubble wrap, or using shredded paper as packaging filler. These small switches are a step towards the eco-friendly direction without driving up costs for both seller and customer.
Trend #5: Instagrammable Packaging
‘Wow, ang ganda ng produkto at yung packaging, share ko nga to!’. This means that the chance of someone showcasing their purchases to their family, friends, or followers is more likely when the product, as well as its packaging, is appealing, or essentially, Instagrammable.
In today’s social-media-driven landscape, aesthetically pleasing (aka Instagrammable) packaging isn’t just for show — it is an effective and legitimate marketing strategy. A beautiful and eye-catching exterior is more likely to draw buzz on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, giving free marketing for the brand. Around the holidays, attractive packaging is all the more important to make the experience feel extra special. When gifts look good, its perceived value increases tenfold, and this makes people even more excited to share pictures of their gifts to their loved ones as they unbox them.
Ready to level up your packaging and win the hearts of Pinoy shoppers? Message Cr8tive Boxes and Labels today, and let’s create packaging that makes your brand shine this 2026!
References
DHL. (2025). Sustainable packaging trends to look out for in 2026. DHL Global. Retrieved December 2025, from https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-global/logistics-advice/sustainability-and-green-logistics/sustainable-packaging-trends DHL
Global sustainable packaging usage trends reflect growing consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions. (2025, November 3). GlobeNewswire. Retrieved December 2025, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/03/3179370/0/en/Global-Sustainable-Packaging-Usage-Trends-Reflect-Growing-Consumer-Demand-for-Eco-Friendly-Solutions.html
Intel Market Research. (2025). Sustainability packaging market outlook 2025–2032. Retrieved December 2025, from https://www.intelmarketresearch.com/sustainability-packaging-2025-2032-536-4447 Intel Market Research
Lazada sees surge in holiday shopping during 11.11 sale. (2025, November 6). BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved December 2025, from https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2025/11/06/710341/lazada-sees-surge-in-holiday-shopping-during-11-11-sale/ BusinessWorld Online
Shopee’s 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale sparks interactive holiday shopping surge, with orders on Shopee Video soaring 11×. (2024, November 15). Digi-PH.com. Retrieved December 2025, from https://digi-ph.com/shopees-11-11-mega-pamasko-sale-sparks-interactive-holiday-shopping-surge-with-orders-on-shopee-video-soaring-11x Digi-Ph