Came across the uniquely packaged Baby Socks Soggs online last night. Soggs are a half dozen ‘fresh, free range’ socks in a funky cow design packaged in an egg carton.

Soggs also have stripy socks designs that are equally as cute for 0-12 month babies. It really is a great example of unique packaging, the nice use of an egg carton as packaging for the product really caught my eye.

As I unsuccessfully attempted to do my Christmas shopping at the weekend – I was confronted by a vast array of colourful packaging and it got me wondering what it must of been like to go Christmas shopping for my parents or grandparents years ago. So I dug out Label Design by Claude Humbert I bought a few years ago in a second hand book shop which has a diverse range of labels and packaging from the 19th century and the 20th century. As we were reading through the book in the office we thought it would be fun to put together a Christmas shopping list from the book. After work we got busy choosing and scanning the labels we thought we might find in a 19th century home during the festive season. Unfortunately all the labels are in black and white but the rich detail in the designs are still visible to be appreciated. Its amazing how detailed these labels are, the strength of the typography and how incredibly well they have aged. We are currently working on a brand for a food company that is inspired by these type of labels but with a modern twist. Later in the week we might do a 20th century collection of labels that you might find in a home during Christmas in the early 1900’s.

Label designs for British Columbian Salmon, Gingerbread and Damson Jam by Lawrence Joyce Liverpool

Beauty products and bathroom items label design Epsom Salts and Beauty Cream products label design that could of been found in the 1800's bathroom

Label design for knife polish and camping furniture that could been on Santa's List! Far right a disinfectant label probably used to clean up after the Christmas party

Labels for soap from Lautz Bro's and Soapine that could of been a socking filler over the fireplace in the 1800's. Textile labels of clothing from F.S.Cleaver and Nilsson Skirt that could of been under the Christmas tree in the 19th century

What someone would need to buy in the 19th Century to send Christmas cards, pencils, paper, envelopes and postcards

Detailed labels designed in the 19th century for Royal biscuits, Sweet Chocolate, Dunn & Hewett Cocoa and Walter Williams Mountain Coffee designed in the 19th Century

Labels of liqueur for Elixir De Garus and mineral water designed in the 19th century

Alcohol labels from Guinness, C.F. Berger Acouvet, Malaga wine and wine from A. Siegfried Merian in Basel designed in the 19th century that might of been in the Christmas shopping trolley to celebrate the festive season

While in Valencia, Spain during the summer for a few days to catch the Time Trial Stage of la Vuelta, I came across this organic chocolate bar. The simplicity and playfulness of the typography really caught my eye. Check out the range of organic bars from Ibiza here

The website chocolateorganiko.es showcases some other products with really nice simple designs and is well worth checking out – as is the chocolate!