With the arrival of Christmas, the European project FRESH UP YOUR LIFE – TOP-QUALITY EUROPEAN FRUIT & VEG is inviting everyone to celebrate the holidays with a simple but meaningful gesture: to gift high quality fruit and vegetables, symbols of health, authenticity and love. These products, genuine expressions of European excellence, represent the ideal gift for a Christmas that combines taste and well-being.
European fruit and vegetables are important for daily well-being, as they are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Among the stars of the project are fruits that are extraordinary in quality and benefits. Kiwis, rich in vitamin C and fibre, are valuable allies for strengthening the immune system and fighting winter fatigue. Oranges, a symbol of vitality, offer an exceptional supply of vitamin C, flavonoids and potassium, bringing character and warmth to Christmas tables. Pears, sweet and juicy, stand out for their content of water, fibre and B vitamins, ideal for promoting cardiovascular health and glycaemic control. Processed tomatoes, finally, contain a treasure trove of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and promotes general well-being, making them a versatile and healthy ingredient for festive dishes.
These foods support the immune system, promote the proper functioning of the body and help prevent numerous diseases. As a pillar of the Mediterranean diet, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, fruit and vegetables are recommended for daily consumption of at least five portions, perfect for breakfast, snacks or as main ingredients in tasty recipes. Consumed raw, these foods maximise their nutritional benefits, making every meal a moment of well-being and pleasure.
Grown in specialised areas of Italy and Europe, these products meet the strictest food safety standards thanks to a production chain that integrates innovative methods while respecting the product and the environment. The long tradition of excellence of European fruit and vegetable products is reflected in their unrivalled quality, which makes them a perfect gift for someone you love.
The three-year ‘FRESH UP YOUR LIFE’ project, co-funded by the European Union and CSO Italy, involves leading companies in the sector such as Apofruit, Cico-Mazzoni, Conserve Italia, Lagnasco Group, Oranfrizer, Origine Group and Salvi-Unacoa, with the aim of promoting knowledge and consumption of European fruit and vegetables. The campaign is active in international markets such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates, spreading the values of quality, uniqueness and taste that characterise European agriculture.
This Christmas, surprise your loved ones with a gift that speaks of health and tradition. By choosing European fruit and vegetables, you will bring to the table the authentic flavours of excellence and a message of love and care for those you love. Gifting well-being has never been so simple and delicious.
The prospect of a family Christmas is proving to be far from joyous for Britain’s young consumers, as the latest research from Mintel finds almost six in ten (58 %) 16-24-year-olds say spending time with their family over the festive period is stressful — considerably higher than the national average of 42 %. Stress declines rapidly with age as just 18 % of consumers aged 65 and over anticipate family time this Christmas will be stressful.
Meanwhile, the nation’s children are set to be winners this Christmas, as almost a quarter (23 %) of parents plan to spend more on toys/games this year, compared to (18 %) in 2023.
Mintel sales predictions
Mintel forecasts retail sales by value in November and December (both for in-store and online on food and non-food) to hit £ 95.4 billion. This represents an increase of 1.4 % compared to last November and December when sales reached £ 94.1 billion. Retailers face tougher comparative figures this year compared to 2023, when inflation was higher. However, we expect slightly stronger volume growth, with total sales by volume estimated to grow 1.6 % compared to a -2.0 % decline in 2023, helped by stronger spending intention from select consumer groups (particularly high earners) for the festive period.
Nick Carroll, Category Director of Mintel Retail Insights, said: “Spending time with loved ones is at the heart of festive celebrations, but the reality is that for many, extended periods with family can also create stressful situations. Brands can lean into these potentially tension-inducing family celebrations by offering escapism, especially for younger consumers. Ensuring younger shoppers can still express their individuality during party season is important, and brands can lean into the energy of 2024, as Converse and Charli XcX’s Christmas campaign clearly does. While there’s no escape for those hosting Christmas, brands can be inspired by Ninja Kitchen’s campaign featuring David Beckham, which highlights products that make hosting easier. Wellbeing-related gifting, or self-gifting, will be a key trend this year to help individuals enjoy some ‘me-time’.
“Confidence has been shaky in 2024, with the wounds of the cost of living crisis still healing for most, and the signals for short-term prospects of the UK economy and standard of living at best mixed. However, the festive period is typically when consumers look to shrug off any negativity of the preceding year and ultimately let off some steam. In 2023, the financial pressure was too much to ignore and spending suffered, but the signs are that there will be a little more scope to cut loose in 2024.
“In ‘essential’ areas such as food and drink and children’s gifting, the indications are that a broader church of shoppers will look to, as much as they can, indulge a little more. This will most directly benefit the grocers, but in gifting there will be far more opportunity for premium products and retailers.”
Lithuanian design agency FOLK gave a holiday makeover to a beloved Christmas drink—kissel. The agency ditched the traditional powder mix and created a brand new product “Slippery Business” in tin packaging, specifically designed for a revamped drink formula.
FOLK, one of the most recognized design agencies in the Baltic region, reintroduced the nation’s Christmas favorite, a cranberry kissel, in unique packaging. Generally sold as a powder mix, the newly-formulated product, called “Slippery Business,” is packaged in a tin casing to shake and liven up the traditional festive table.
A Lithuanian beloved kissel is a non-alcoholic drink where cranberries, the star of the flavor palette, shine through a slightly gooey and slippery texture. It is served almost exclusively on Christmas and is usually the one drink no Lithuanian family forgoes.
However, the design agency felt the conventional drink packaging lacked some festive charm and should be given the justice it deserves in a specially-made tin casing. The product name, design, and font were inspired by the drink’s unique texture, while the colors represent the acidity of cranberries. The new drink formula also has less sugar, is vegan and gluten-free to suit everyone’s dietary requirements.
The freshly repackaged kissel was a Christmas gift to FOLK’s clients, friends, and partners. According to Ignas Kozlovas, creative director at FOLK, business gifts present a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity and challenge oneself in non-conventional tasks. Therefore each year FOLK, which has a passion for Lithuanian folklore, aims to surprise their clients with knock-your-socks-off gifts.
“Traditions have a tendency to change over time, even during the biggest holidays of the year. Several past years have shown us that you can join everyone for a festive dinner through a smart device, or order international dishes instead of traditional ones,” said Kozlovas. “Not many things stay the same in these changing times, but kissel remains a national treasure every single Christmas. However, the drink is too good to be enjoyed only once a year, and we believe the new tin packaging might give it a chance to make an after-holiday come-back.”
“Slippery Business” also allowed the agency to experience the manufacturing process hands-on. The agency was involved in formulating the modern yet well-known flavor and adapting tin casing to the drink’s unique texture—the tin, filled with non-fizzy drink, is softer than usual, therefore allowing to feel the kissel’s texture without even tasting it.
“We created the product having in mind that Christmas itself is a slippery business with unexpected topics at festive dinners or unusual office parties. The entire process—from design to manufacturing—allowed us to also understand the challenges that our clients face every day and be better prepared to tackle the new unique tasks next year,” added Kozlovas.
About FOLK
FOLK is a Lithuanian brand creation and design agency with the main focus on consumer needs. The agency provides brand strategy, packaging, and logo design services, and collaborates with their clients to best serve the consumers and produce unique, Lithuanian folklore-inspired designs.
