Christmas is not just a wonderful occasion to spend quality time with friends and family, it is also one of the best opportunities for retailers to maximise their sales and boost their profits.
At the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair plenty of exhibitors will be showcasing their latest holiday-themed products so retailers can stock their shelves in time for the silly season and beyond.
Let’s have a look at what will be on offer.
We love cards
Cards are still one of the most popular products to give for birthdays, weddings and of course Christmas. Candle Bark Creations will be launching an exciting array of new Christmas-themed products at the Melbourne Gift Fair, Stand 1518.
“We are particularly excited about our new range of Quirky Critters cards,” says director, Fiona Hulme.
“Showcasing our love for cute animals ranging from llamas to sloths, with a few adorable dogs thrown in there for good measure, these designs are sure to appeal to all animal lovers alike. A must have for the 2019 festive season, this range is a fun take on the traditional Christmas look and feel with the use of on-trend iconography accompanied by some quirky sayings. They’re guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of many.”
Expanding on the success of its best-selling floral Christmas cards from last year, Candle Bark Creations will also be launching a new range of Australian botanical inspired boxed cards and tags. These designs will evoke the beauty of the current striking floral Christmas designs, with a bit of a native twist. These classically beautiful cards and tags are perfect additions to enhance any Christmas card selection, sure to fly off the shelves!
Another exciting range of products that will be showcased at the Melbourne Gift Fair includes the company’s new range of gift bags, a first for Candle Bark Creations in 2019. These gift bags come in four various sizes including small, medium, large and bottle. Each size will also be available in four gorgeous patterns including gold dots, white stars, leopard print and friendly reindeer faces.
“These bags are made of high quality Kraft paper stock and topped off with luxurious design-matching coloured ribbon handles. They also come with an additional sheet of coordinating tissue paper that can be placed in the top of the bag for that extra flourish and flair to the final present. There is sure to be a design and size for every gifting need!
“We are looking forward to being able to display our amazing selection of Christmas products for all the AGHA Gift Fair attendees,” Hulme adds.
Wrap me up
Wrapping is something many retailers offer as an added value to the products they sell or they supply a small selection of gift bags, tags and wrapping paper for customers to purchase when they buy their gifts.
New for Christmas 2019 from Vandoros Fine Packaging is the Holly and Berries collection, a modern and cheerful celebration of Christmas. These new designs will add an extra level of style and personality to gift wrapping this Christmas and will be on display at the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair, Stand 529.
The collection includes
• Paper counter rolls (60cmx60m); the design comes in four different colourways, each with their own unique expression
• Holly and Berries retail box paper collection (24 rollsx2.5mx76cm)
• Holly and Berries twisted handle gift bags navy/red/green
• Holly and berries printed satin ribbon white/red/green
Art as a gift
Australia is full of emerging artistic talent which was reason for Rayell to launch its Artist Lab series, designed to give these talented artists a launching pad. 
Rayell has teamed up with six local artists and will be presenting their pieces on artworks, cushions and coasters at the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair, Stand 1114.
Much of their work is inspired by the Australian landscape, wildlife and way of life. Included in each artwork are inspiring biographies of the artists, so you can read all about them and their process. 
With many consumers wanting to know the story behind the product they purchase or receive, these items make for a great gift at Christmas!
What’s next…?
If you are already stocked up for Christmas, don’t worry, there are plenty of other items on display at the Gift Fair including Easter ranges from Theatre Seasonal Décor.
The company launched its Christmas range at the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair in February and will be launching Easter 2020 at the coming AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair, Stand 622.
There are over 300 new lines exclusively for the Easter Season ranging from table decorations to celebrate Easter to Garlands and hundreds of rabbits.
“This year we will also be specialising in props for Easter which are great pieces for window displays to shopping centre displays,” says director Gloria Gattuso.
‘It is a hugely growing season that we have not had in Australia and has been introduced in recent years. Retailers need to tap into this market if they have not done so already. Not just the home and giftware stores but from the newsagents to chemists to jewellery stores as well.”
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair | 3-7 August 2019 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Doors 9-19. Registration is essential for free, fast-track entry. Don’t miss out and register online here at melbournegift.com.au.
