How to Make Gift Bags

If you have ever purchased a gift bag at a store, you know how expensive it can be. It is not unusual to pay as much as $3.50 for a smaller bag and over $5 for larger ones. However, you can save money by making your own. It’s easy to do and you can add your own flair to it, making the gift's packaging something that can be used over and over again.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Heavier wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Standard ruler
• Pencil
• Stylus embossing tool
• Handheld hole punch
• Ribbon
• Thin cardboard

1. Determine the size of bag you need by measuring your gift. Measure the length and width of the gift and add at least 1 inch to these measurements to give yourself some added space.

2. Add the length and width measurements together and then multiply by 2 (since there are a total of 4 sides to the bag). Add 2 more inches to this total. Your paper will need to be cut to this total length.

3. Take a roll or package of heavier wrapping paper and lay it out flat. Using your ruler, measure and cut the paper to the total length calculated in Step 2. Then, measure the height of your gift and add at least 8 inches to that measurement. Measure and cut the paper to that height.

4. Measure your paper using your first original width measurement and, using the embossing tool, score your paper from top to bottom, moving from the left side of your paper to the right. Move over from that crease by the original length measurement and score again. Repeat both.

5. Measure 4 inches up from the bottom and, using the embossing tool, score again across the length of the paper. Measure 2 inches from the top and score across the length of the paper.

6. Fold your paper along each vertical crease and glue the sides together with the extra paper flap on the inside of the bag. Using the crease toward the bottom, fold your paper up as if wrapping a package. Glue the folds down.

7. Use the crease at the top to fold your paper down inside the bag without gluing. Take the handheld hole punch, hold the top of the bag together, and punch two holes through both long sides of the bag so you can lace the ribbon through the holes to use as handles.

8. Cut a thin piece of cardboard to fit in the bottom of the bag for better support and add embellishments for decoration.

Tips & Warnings

• Ideally make the bag after you have the gift so you know what size you will need, and always allow for some extra space between the bag and the item you are placing it in.

• Don’t press too hard on the stylus embossing tool or you might tear through the paper. Use gentle pressure, making the impression just deep enough to fold the wrapping paper easily.