How to Dress Up Gift Bags

When it comes to selecting gift bags, limited choices include expensive pre-decorated ones or those that are inexpensive, but plain. With a little effort, you can personalize the wrapping and express your creativity by customizing gift bags with basic crafts supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patterned paper
• Paper trimmer
• Adhesives
• Stamps
• Ink pads
• Stickers or die cuts
• Ribbon
• Craft knife or scissors
• Assorted accents
• Tissue paper

1. Cover the surface with colorful cardstock, patterned paper or recycled wrapping paper. Measure the paper, cut to size with a paper trimmer and adhere to the bag with double-stick tape or a glue stick.
2. Stamp an image in the center of the bag or on the background repeatedly as an eye-catching design. Press the image onto the bag twice before re-inking the stamp to add interest with a variety of shades.
3. Create a decorative "scene" with a gathering of stickers or scrapbooking die cuts. Layer the images or add dimension by affixing some with foam tape.
4. Weave ribbon across the top of the bag and knot in front. Use a craft knife or sharp scissors to make slits about an inch apart all the way around the bag, then pull a length of vibrant ribbon in and out of the slots.
5. Embellish with accents like buttons, charms hung on ribbon, paper flowers, photos or designs trimmed from old greeting cards.
6. Insert colorful tissue paper as an eye-catching touch. Spread the tissue on the table wrong side up, place the gift in the center, gather the sides and place it in the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're wrapping a gift for an infant or toddler, avoid using small accents (like buttons or charms) that will pose choking hazards.