How to Make Nautical Gift Bags
Don't bore your guests with the same old store-bought gift bags when you can wow them with their own personalized nautical bags that reflect their sophistication and love of the ocean. With only a few supplies and an hour of your time, you can quickly and easily make a nautical themed gift bag out of a paper bag, box or canvas bag. Extra embellishments, fabric, stickers and unique tags will complete the look and make a lasting impression on your guests.
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Things You'll Need
- Canvas bag
- Iron-on transfer
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Glue
- Shells
- Pen
- Paper
- Tape
- Drill
- Paper gift bag
- Ruler
- Embellishments
- Hole punch
- Cardboard box
Instructions
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Choose your material for your gift bag. Your options include using a fabric bag, paper bag or a box. Your material choice will determine which embellishments you will add, based on their ability to adhere to the surface.
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Place a blank canvas bag on your table. Use an iron-on transfer, such as an anchor, seashell or lighthouse on the center of your bag. As an alternative, download a nautical template for inspiration. Cut pieces of fabric in different colors and piece together the design.
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3
Glue the design to the center of your bag or stitch it on. Glue tiny coquina seashells around the handles of the bag.
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4
Write each guest´s name on a small piece of paper. Tape the paper to the inside of a shell. Use a small drill to drill a small hole through the top. String a piece of coordinating fabric through the hole and tie the shell to the handle for a unique gift tag to complete your canvas gift bag.
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Start with a simple white gift bag for another look. Place patterned paper or fabric over the bag. Use a striped blue and white or a red and white design.
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Use a ruler to measure enough paper or fabric to cover each side of the gift bag. Cut it out and glue the paper or fabric over each side of the gift bag.
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Add embellishments to decorate the bag. Fish, shell, sea stars or lighthouse stickers, metallic accents or fabric pieces are all good options.
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Punch holes for the handles at the top of the gift bag. Thread white drawstring through the holes and make a knot after each hole. Attach a gift tag to the drawstring.
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Place nautical-themed scrapbook paper on your table if your gift bag will be formed out of a box. Glue the paper to the sides of the box, leaving about 1 inch of excess paper.
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Fold down the corners of the excess paper like you are wrapping a gift. Glue the corners to the box. Fold the top flaps down so your box looks like you have wrapped your present. Punch two holes through the top of the box on the left and right side. Thread sturdy red and white fabric through the holes for your handles. Add embellishments to the box by gluing paper accents to the front. Add lighthouses, seagulls or an anchor to the front cover. Add sticker letters for each recipient's name.
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Punch two holes through the top of the box on the left and right side. Thread sturdy red and white fabric through the holes for your handles.
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Add embellishments to the box by gluing paper accents to the front. Add lighthouses, seagulls or an anchor to the front cover. Add sticker letters for each recipient's name.
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Place nautical-themed items in the gift bag. Include a map rolled up like a scroll, a lighthouse picture frame, seashell necklace or nautical picture. If guests will be on the beach, include a bottle of sunblock and a cheap pair of sunglasses.
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Tips & Warnings
Decorate each gift bag slightly different than the others to add an extra dimension of personalization.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
