How to Wrap Gifts in Bags

Simplify your gift wrapping experience with a gift bag.

You can do away with the hassle of folding boxes, cutting straight edges of wrapping paper and taping it all together when you wrap a gift in a bag. Bags make for reusable gift wrappers, as they can be preserved and used by others until they become worn. When you wrap a gift in a bag you have creative freedom to add as many extras as you want, such as bows and ribbons, or keep the wrapping job simple with some colorful tissue paper.

Things You'll Need

• Gift
• Gift bag
• Tissue paper
• Bows
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Purchase the right gift bag. Consider the size and shape of the bag to make sure that your gift will fit inside. Choose a color that you like, or go for a pattern or print, such as a cartoon character for a child's birthday gift or a bag with a baby carriage for a baby shower present.

2. Select tissue paper in a color that goes with the chosen gift bag. You can buy more than one color of tissue paper to add a creative touch. Pick out any extras that you want to spruce up the wrapping job, such as bows and ribbons.

3. Open the gift bag. Crinkle one piece of tissue paper so that it fits in the bottom of the bag. Place it on the bottom to create a cushion for your present.

4. Wrap your gift using the tissue paper. Some gifts you may not have to wrap, such as a bottle of wine.

5. Place the gift into the bag. Lay it on top of the tissue paper cushion that you made for the bottom, which will give your present a steady place to rest.

6. Separate the sheets of tissue paper from the bunch. You will want to have single sheets for decorating the gift bag. Take one sheet and fold it so that the center of the sheet becomes a cone with a point. Stick the point into the bag, while the rest of the tissue paper bunches out at the top.

7. Repeat this step with more sheets of tissue paper. Switch between colors if you have more than one. Continue until the bag is stuffed and the gift is hidden.

8. Stick a bow onto one side of the bag, or tie ribbon around the handles of the bag. You can also use the bow or ribbon for the gift inside the bag, if you chose to not wrap it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to add a card to your gift bag, write the card, seal the envelope and stick it into the bag alongside the gift. This should be done before the tissue paper bunching begins.

References

• Washington Post: The Gift Bag: That's a Wrap
• Family Education: Gift Bag Ideas