How to Make Gift Bags From Brown Bags

Use stamps, stickers or ribbons to add some color to a plain brown bag.

When the frugal side of you wants to make useful or attractive items with the things you already have, get creative and get busy. You can make gift bags from plain brown bags using art supplies you probably have on hand. Experiment with brown bags of different sizes to make a gift bag that fits your gift perfectly. You can even personalize the gift bag for a special gift wrap.

Things You'll Need

• Scrapbooking stickers
• Markers
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Glitter glue
• Medium-size brown bag
• Tape measure
• Clear packaging tape
• Hole punch
• 1-inch-wide satin ribbon

Instructions

1. Decorate the bag using scrapbooking stickers, markers or acrylic paints. Add colors and designs to all sides of the bag, even writing the recipient's name on the side of the bag, if you wish. Add swipes and swirls of glitter glue over the top of the bag also, if you desire. Allow any paint and glitter glue on the bag to dry completely before proceeding.

2. Measure the distance from one side edge of the bag to the other side edge with the tape measure. Cut a length of clear packaging tape this length and apply the tape along one top side edge of the bag, making sure the tape runs evenly along the top edge. Cut another identical piece of clear packaging tape and apply it along the other top side edge of the bag. This tape will provide additional strength as you make the bag handles.

3. Make two holes along each top side edge of the bag. Punch one hole 1 inch from the top and 2 inches from the left side edge. Punch another hole 1 inch from the top and 2 inches from the right side edge. Repeat the same process on the other top side edge of the bag.

4. Cut two 18-inch lengths of ribbon.

5. Thread one end of one ribbon through the left hole on one side of the bag. Push the end of the ribbon through the hole from the outside to the inside and tie the end of the ribbon into a large knot. Thread the other end of the same ribbon through the right hole on the same side of the bag and secure this end of the ribbon in the same manner.

6. Repeat the same process with the other ribbon on the other side of the bag to finish the gift bag.

References

• DLTK's Growing Together: Decorated Brown Paper Bags