Make Gift Bags from Scratch

There is always a holiday season—like Christmas—or a really good reason—like a birthday—to give gifts and what better way to do so than in a unique one-of-a-kind gift bag that you created yourself? When you put a little effort into giving a gift, you really do give the gift that says you care.

While it’s true gift bags are not always expensive—they are also easy to make—and who doesn’t like to do crafts? With a few materials and a hot glue gun, you can create several great gift bags in an afternoon! (Children and adults alike will love this project!)

While you can use a simple grocery bag—it makes for a large gift bag—I prefer to purchase medium and small bags (similar to the size movie popcorn comes in ) in bulk. Both white and brown bags can be found in most stores that sell items in bulk. Additionally, bags bought in bulk do not have a company name on the side, which makes them easier to decorate.

Reinforce the top of the bag by either rolling it down (twice) to make a cuff or simply adding reinforcement in the form of two or three pieces of additional paper or ribbon that is wound around the top 2 inches of the bag. Sometimes I reinforce with paper and then use yarn to “stitch” the handle in place. Sometimes I simply punch the holes for my handle and then reinforce the entire top of the bag by running a length of ribbon around the top and gluing in place. Either way works.

Items to Use for the Handles

Anything you can think of that comes in “length” can be used. But because each gift is different you’ll have to put on your thinking cap and be a little creative. I suggest you try and match the handle to the design on your gift bag or better yet, to the gift hidden inside the gift bag. (See ideas below.)

Match Handle to Gift inside Bag

GIFT FOR A GIRL: gift bag filled with toys (make handle out of a jump rope); gift bag filled with beauty products (make handle out of ribbon).

GIFT FOR A BOY: gift bag filled with the child’s first lace-up shoes (make the handle out of a second set of “fun” laces—camouflage or bright colored laces).

GIFT FOR THE KITCHEN: regardless of what you put into the gift bag, you can always turn a couple of dishtowels into ties.

GIFT FOR THE GARAGE: use the same strategy. It doesn’t matter what you have in the gift bag, bungee cords or a small electric cord—folded to make the handle—will always find a place in a man’s heart.

This type of gift bag offers several great rewards. One, it gives you the opportunity to show your creative side. Two, it makes for a beautiful wrapping for any gift for any occasion. And, three, whoever receives the gift won’t soon forget the “gifter” or the extra effort he/she gave when wrapping their gift. Even a very young child could use crayons and decorate a gift bag for his mother or father or for a sibling.

For a simple Christmas gift bag, use a white bag and add holly leaves and berries to the outside. Simply cut holly leaves out of green construction paper and berries out of red construction paper. Then decorate the bag as sparsely or as completely as desired! Make the handle out of a half yard of thick red ribbon.

Directions:

• Fold bag down two times to create a 2-4 inch cuff (whichever you prefer).
   
• Punch two holes with a handheld paper punch on each of the two “wide” sides of the bag. Center the holes on each side of the bag with about 4 inches between the two holes. Rule of thumb, center your hand of the top side of the bag (fingers pointing down), then put a hole on each side of your palm.
   
• Cut the ribbon in half. (One ribbon goes on each side.) Insert each end of the ribbon into one of the holes. Knot each end of the ribbon on the inside.
   
• To reinforce the top “cuff” squeeze a line of glue between the bag and the cuff. Press to seal.
   
• Decorate.

Holly leaves and berries with either a red or green ribbon will add a simple yet elegant look to the perfect gift bag!

HINTS:

Other items that work well include binder twine, duct tape (folded over onto itself to create a handle that is approximately 1 inch wide), string of any sort, a measuring tape, old 8-track tape, cassette ribbon, clothesline, etc.

If you want to get really creative, use something no one else would think of using…like…licorice whips!

For a stronger gift bag, cut a piece of cardboard the exact size of the bottom of the bag. The cardboard will help the bag maintain straight lines and keep pressure and weigh evenly distributed on the bottom. If the gift is particularly heavy, a piece of cardboard glued to the bottom as extra reinforcement is a good idea.