How to Make a Gift Bag

If you've never considered making your own gift bag, you might think about it. With inexpensive wrapping paper and a little bit of ribbon, you could make your own gift bag in just the size you need for every gift-giving occasion.

The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. You could use unusual wrapping paper and create an eye-popping gift bag to make a special gift even more special.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lightweight cardboard box Wrapping paper Scissors Pencil Ruler Tape Utility knife 2 12-inch lengths of satin ribbon (1 inch wide)

Make a Gift Bag

1. Take apart your box carefully. Use the utility knife, if necessary. It is important to deconstruct the box along seams so that the box can lay flat on a work surface.

2. Spread the wrapping paper out on a flat work surface, with the wrong side facing up. Place the flat box on the wrapping paper and center it in the middle.

3. Trace the outline of the box onto the wrapping paper.

4. Onto the wrapping paper, trace where all of the folds of the box occur. You need to have the side folds as well as the bottom and top folds traced onto the paper.

5. Remove the box and set it aside. With the ruler, carefully fold and sharply crease each line on the wrapping paper.

6. Fold the bag together along the fold lines. There will be one seam along the side of the bag, and the bottom of the bag will be constructed similarly to how you would wrap a gift with wrapping paper. Tape the wrapping paper on the inside of the bag to secure the folds. The paper along the top of the bag where the bag will open needs to be folded to the inside along the top edge of the bag. Secure this with tape also.

7. Press the bag flat, with the sides of the bag folding down the center. This creates fold lines on the bag sides. Fold the sides along these newly formed creases, working your way down to the bottom of the bag. As you keep folding, the bottom of the bag should come up to create a bottom flap.

8. Place the top edges of the bag together. Make sure the sides and edges are completely matched and even. Punch two holes in the top of the bag through every layer. Space the holes evenly and place them one inch down from the top edge.

9. Insert a length of ribbon through the holes in one side of the bag. Knot each end on the inside of the bag to secure the ribbon to the bag as a handle. Repeat with another length of ribbon on the other side of the bag.