They say that presentation is EVERYTHING when it comes to gift giving! I would agree.
At this time of year, admit it, we all have tons of wrapping paper scraps just laying around, just in case we “need” them for a small gift. I know that I do. Today, I decided to actually use these scraps for something.
Here’s the nitty gritty low down easy-peasy directions on how you can turn those small wrapping paper scraps into handmade Gift Bags!
Materials Needed:
- Wrapping paper scraps
- Tape
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Small box
- Gift Tag
Ok, now that you have your supplies ready, let me tell you how easy it is to make your “own” Gift Bags for those small little gifts. The wrapping paper scrap that I used for this tutorial was approximately 8″ x 11″ (just in case you were wondering), but you can use any size of wrapping paper scrap.
First, I folded down a little flap at one end of the paper and creased it real good. Then I put three small pieces of tape across this flap to hold it down.
I took a small box to use as a template for the gift bag and laid it on the paper. I folded the wrapping paper around the box like I was wrapping it up as a gift, but kept the box closer to the bottom of the paper since the box was smaller than the paper. Wrap the paper loosely around box.
Run your fingers over all the edges to create a good crease.
Remove box, and fold the paper where you can see the creases.
Put box back onto the wrapping paper and tape up the seam and the bottom.
Remove the box from the wrapping paper. If you wrapped it loosely, the box should slide out easily. If not, the box might not slide out.
Now, you need to make the side creases. Lay wrapping paper gift bag down and fold the sides in half to crease the sides. Your gift bag should be able to stand up by itself now.
Next, use your hole punch and punch two holes on each side of the bag at the top. (keep the holes uniform too!) These holes are for the handles.
Cut two small pieces of ribbon (of course, a color that coordinates with your wrapping paper, as we are going for awesomeness here!) and tie the ribbons through the holes. (NOTE: If you want to add a gift tag to your gift bag, now is the time to do it before you tie the handle on!)
Congratulations! You have just made your very own Gift Bag! No need to head to the store for a gift bag any longer, just use up those wrapping paper scraps that you have laying around the house!
After I made a bunch of these today, I also thought that you could use a sheet of scrapbook paper too, as we all know that you can get them with great designs on them at the craft store, or even an old map!
My finished gift bags from an 8″ x 11″ wrapping paper scrap, made a small gift bag 3″ x 6″ x 2″ in size. Your completed size will depend on the size of the box you use as your template.
Go crazy! Go grab your box of rigatoni for a different sized gift bag, or any other box you have and see what size of gift bag you can create today! You will thank me for actually using up all of those scraps of wrapping paper!
Nikitaland 
PS I love your banner!
Oh thank you so much! I made the new banner the other day and truly love how it turned out! I definitely have two of the sweetest doggies around! They love each other so much!
We have three cats (and a fourth that spends most of his time here), but they don’t get along the way dogs often do unless they are raised together. I had a pair of brother cats once and it was amazing to see the camaraderie. I’m sure you pamper the two of them (as you should); I an here it in your word.
These are great. Thanks for the tutorial. I wondered how people made these bags so uniform…the box as a template. Brilliant! I saw the ping back from Boomdeeadda.
Hi Alys! They are quite easy to make and I have already made a few different sizes and they all look so professional looking when you’re done! I even used some tulle for the handles on the larger ones I made that coordinated with the wrapping paper! So chic!
Using tulle is a great idea. I use tulle for wrapping gift baskets too, when the need arises or when I donate a certificate of my time for an auction.
Looking forward to seeing more of your crafts.
I love tulle too! I have used it inside lighted glass blocks too!
Great idea!
They are really super easy to make too! I hope you try making some! You can now make your “own” gift bags for birthdays etc now that you know how to make them! Good Luck and have fun!
Thanks!
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How very cute your choice of papers and that tag is hilarious. I like the idea of wrapping the paper around a box for uniformity, very cleaver. A Map box would be tres chic! You’re way ahead, I’ve been wrapping all morning and I’ve made a dent…stopped for some creative nourishment and peanut butter toast! Thanks for the idea’s xoK
I know, aren’t they cute! I can do this too for birthdays too! Use some nice scrapbook paper, a map, a page out of a magazine….the possibilities are endless! And, I had an afterthought too… if you need a strong bottom, just cut a piece of cardstock paper or a piece of cardboard for the bottom of the gift bag too! Yummmmmy, peanut butter toast! Nikita and Bella (and me too) are drooling! We love peanut butter toast! I headed back to the store today too to pick up a few more gifts! My pile is growing over here!
I love this idea! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it, lol! I make envelopes for cards that I don’t have to send and we usually use scraps to wrap stocking stuffers. I save all scraps too for reuse in future years so I should have plenty to work with!
Ooooh, then you are all set with all of those scraps of wrapping paper! I hope you try to make a few gift bags! I am going to make birthday gift bags too, now that I know how to make them! Things will never be the same in the gift giving arena now!
OMG that is clever! I used some to make a gratitude journal out of a plain notebook…but this is even better!!!
Aw, thank you! I had a lot of fun creating tons of them! Now, birthdays will never be the same!
That is a great idea and you make it look so easy!
Once you make one, it is easy! Just don’t wrap the paper too tight around your little box or it won’t slide out. (I did that the first time and had to un-tape it) LOL Your Christmas Card we got yesterday was so adorable! Yours is in the mail to you too! 🙂
Easy for you to make, Miss Talent!
Are you all thumbs John? Hee hee
Mind=Blown. That is magic or voodoo or something!! WOW!
I know, aren’t they adorable! Even my Sweetie came home and saw what I made and he even went “WOW”! So they must be really cute for him to make such a nice comment! Now, everyone can use up their scraps of wrapping paper laying around the house!
that’s a fabulous trick to use boxes as templates. Many thanks for your super ideas!
Ooooh the possibilities! It all depends on the size of little box you use! It was fun to figure this out as I have a few little gifts that needed a little gift bag!