DIY Gift Bags: Two Creative Methods Using Wrapping Paper

Explore your creativity by adding a personal touch to gift-giving with handmade gift bags crafted from wrapping paper. Elevate the excitement of receiving a present with beautiful, custom packaging. Whether you find yourself in need of a last-minute gift bag or simply want to embrace the DIY approach, discover two methods to craft your own unique gift bags using wrapping paper. Let the act of giving become even more special with these handmade creations.

Measure and Cut the Wrapping Paper

Start by rolling out your wrapping paper on a flat surface and placing the gift on top to determine the necessary paper size. Once measured, cut the paper to the appropriate size, and set the gift aside for bag construction.

Placing the gift on the brown paper

Tape the Bag

Lay the wrapping paper face down on a flat surface, bringing both the right and left sides towards the center with enough overlap. Press down for a neat fold and use clear or double-sided tape along the entire length of the seam to secure it in place.

Taping the bag after folding

Fold the Bottom of the Bag

Create the bottom of the gift bag by taking the folded wrapping paper’s bottom up, ensuring it’s wide enough to hold your gift.

Folding the bottom of the bag upwards

Create a Triangle

Open the bottom section to resemble an open mouth, then fold it down by flattening out the corners, creating a triangular-shaped bottom.

Creating a triangle shape for the bag

Secure the Bottom

Fold the ends of the top and bottom triangles towards the center, ensuring overlap. Press down for crisp folds and secure all seams with tape.

Securing the bottom with tape

Open the Bag

Your gift bag is now ready to use. Open it, stand it up, and reinforce any inside folds with additional tape for sturdiness. Place your gift inside.

Opening the bag and placing gift items inside

Finish It with a Bow

To complete the bag, fold down the top once or twice, creating a one to two-inch wide fold. Use a hole punch to make two holes about an inch apart on the folded top. Loop ribbon or twine through, tie it into a bow, and add a gift tag if desired.

Gift Bag with Handles

To make your own gift bag with ribbon handles, follow the six steps below.

Measure the Paper

Begin by rolling out your wrapping paper on a flat surface and placing the gift on it to measure the needed paper size. Cut the paper accordingly and set the gift aside.

Placing items on top of wrapping paper

Fold Down the Top

Place the wrapping paper face down and create a one-inch fold along the top. Fold down again and secure the seam with tape. This forms the top of your gift bag for the handles.

Folding down the top of the wrapping paper

Tape the Seam

Bring the right and left sides towards the center, ensuring enough overlap, and press down for a crisp fold. Secure the bag by taping down the seam with clear or double-sided tape.

Taping down the seam of the bag

Create the Base of the Bag

Construct the base by folding up the bottom of the wrapping paper, making it large enough to hold the gift. Open and fold down the just-folded bottom section, creating a triangle-shaped bottom.

Folding over the bottom of the bag

Secure the Bottom

Fold the ends of the top and bottom triangles towards the center, ensuring overlap for a secure bottom. Tape down all seams with clear or double-sided tape.

Securing the bottom of the bag

Attach the Bag Handles

Open the gift bag, stand it up, and use a hole punch to make two holes on both the front and back of the top folded part. Cut two pieces of ribbon for handles, loop them through the holes on the front, and either knot them inside the bag or tie the ribbon ends together. Repeat for the second handle.