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Make DIY Gift Bags – From any Paper

November 6, 2012  It's a Cinch | My Projects

 

 

How to make gift bags from any paper!  kellyelko.com

They say it’s all about the presentation.

After all, isn’t half the fun the anticipation of what awaits?

 

Cast aside that typical gift wrap and give pizazz to your gifts.

Make Paper Bag Gift Bag Tutorial - from any paper!  No special template needed kellyelko.com

How to Make Gift Bags from Any Paper

* Get a box from the pantry (I used a rice box)
* Wrap the paper around the box like you’re wrapping a gift
* Use glue stick to stick edges of paper together and a piece of tape to secure bottom of bag
* Cut a piece of cardboard a bit smaller than bottom of bag and put inside bag
* Pinch the sides of the bag to form a crease and fold the bottom flat
* Trim the top of the bag with scissors (I used decorative deckle edge scissors)
* Close bag and punch 2 sets of holes in top of bag
* Cut 2 pieces of string, twine or ribbon and knot one piece on each side of bag (total of four knots)
* Put present inside and listen to the oohs and ahhhs over your amazingly wrapped gift!

Notes:
1) Don’t wrap too tightly around the box, or it will be difficult to remove the box!
2) If paper is too small, simply glue stick two pieces of paper together before wrapping

How to make your own gift bags kellyelko.com

Here’s to anticipation and presentation.

DIY Gift Bags from any paper kellyelko.com

And it is definitely better to give than to receive.

But I wouldn’t complain if someone gave me something wrapped up in one of these …

just saying!

 

Love this idea – you’ll want to check out my Paper Bag Gift Bags – they are so fun!

Check out all of my Simple Projects.

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Comments

  1. Kalamity Kelli

    November 6, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Great idea!

    Reply
  2. [email protected]

    November 6, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Oh Kelly…you are the clever one….you just gave me another idea too….love those bags!!

    Reply
  3. [email protected]

    November 6, 2012 at 7:45 am

    great idea! wouldn’t have thought to use the box to get the shape. love this:)

    Reply
  4. Robin @ happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

    November 6, 2012 at 8:39 am

    I love how you’ve simplified this craft Kelly with the addition of a box used to create the bag form. I’ve previously tried making gift bags using a folding template and also tried creating a math formula to make my own sizes {oh so not the way to go} and decided bag making just wasn’t worth it. But your simplified approach seems to be “can’t fail” … I’ll be trying this again 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Heidi McCarty Milton

    November 6, 2012 at 8:41 am

    These are super cute, Kelly! I wouldn’t mind getting a gift in these either!
    xo heidi

    Reply
  6. Thistle

    November 6, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Exactly….I agree with Robin….the box is the key 🙂 Totally pinning this!

    🙂 me

    Reply
  7. [email protected]

    November 6, 2012 at 8:48 am

    This is seriously smart! Seriously. Pinning and tweeting away…

    Reply
  8. Anne

    November 6, 2012 at 8:52 am

    Fabulous idea – love the map one!!!

    Reply
  9. Atta Girl Amy

    November 6, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Super cute idea! And very “green” too. And using the box as a form is just brilliant!

    Reply
  10. Maury @ Life on Mars

    November 6, 2012 at 9:48 am

    This is great! i love the fun papers you used!

    Reply
  11. kristin

    November 6, 2012 at 9:55 am

    This is soooo cool!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  12. Mary

    November 6, 2012 at 11:33 am

    These bags are a great idea! I’m always in a pinch for gift wrap. I love your new blog design Kelly!

    Reply
  13. Hello, I'm Leslie!

    November 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial! Love it!
    Leslie

    Reply
  14. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique

    November 6, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Love them and love simple and quick projects too!

    Reply
  15. Bliss

    November 6, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    You know, it takes a lot for a craft to make me wanna pin it. I’m pinning this. How useful and clever, and so totally something even I can craft.

    Bliss

    Reply
  16. Karen Cooper (@ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza)

    November 6, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Excellent idea! Definitely doing this for the holidays. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. [email protected]

    November 6, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    This is such a great idea! I’m definitely going to have to give this a try!

    Reply
  18. Judy

    November 7, 2012 at 11:25 am

    I too, thought that a template was needed. My thoughts on this are that this is even cheaper than dollar store bags: I might use some cardboard strips (recycled of course) to reinforce the top, possibly make my own handles from paper, and finally, what a great way to use up scraps of old gift wrap. Love the idea.

    Reply
  19. [email protected]

    November 7, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Holy Crap! this is genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My heart is beating fast with all the possibilities. I will definitely be doing this one. OhMyGod this is so cool! Can you tell how hard I am typing???? I’m getting hoarse!

    Reply
  20. Emma Briggs

    November 8, 2012 at 2:46 am

    It is easy to make these little gift bags out of newspaper. Moreover, it is a great way to recycle! Pick a good section of your paper.

    Reply
  21. Inspire Me Heather

    November 10, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Oooh, your bags look great – very clever of you!

    Reply
  22. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon

    November 12, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Fabulous idea and tutorial Kelly!!

    Reply
  23. Sherry

    November 14, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Great idea! So cute too. Thanks for linking up with HSH!
    Sherry

    Reply
  24. Seaweed & Raine

    December 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    Just gorgeous! I have a thing for maps. My only problem seems to be sourcing them!

    Reply
  25. Christina at I Gotta Create!

    December 15, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Love ’em Kelly!!
    I’ll be pinning these 🙂
    <3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!

    Reply
  26. France

    September 29, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    Such a great idea to use a box!

    Reply
  27. Cynthia @ A Button Tufted Life...

    November 2, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Just wondering… do you take some magic creative vitamins or something?!?…
    Love this idea… you know I am heading off to look for boxes and paper to practice on!! 😉 After I pin that is!!

    Reply
  28. Renee - Kudos Kitchen

    December 6, 2013 at 8:23 am

    What a great idea! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m excited to give it a try 🙂

    Reply
  29. Kate

    December 10, 2013 at 11:48 am

    You’re so clever! Thanks for sharing … I’d never have thought of using a box for a template.

    Reply
  30. Charlotte Van Straten

    December 11, 2013 at 3:58 am

    thanks for the instructions on making festive gift bags

    Reply
  31. Connie

    December 29, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    You could even cut the box off a little shorter and use it to strengthen the bag if you have something heavier to put in it.

    Reply
  32. Deanna

    December 10, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks for the great ideas I’m using up all the unwanted paper that accumulates quickly the only thing different I did was put a piece of tape on both sides of the paper before punching the hole for the handle just to reinforce it a little.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 11, 2017 at 8:42 am

      Great idea!

      Reply
  33. laya gaga

    February 16, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Wow!! Wonderful tutorial. Brilliant work. I Love it.

    Reply

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KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



More About Kelly

Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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