Make Your Own Gift Bag

I'm pretty excited about this discovery - you can make your own gift bags out of scrapbook paper! 

1. I love that I can customize gift bags - they make some crazy cute scrapbook paper.
2. Buying gift bags is expensive.  I made these bags for $0.44 (small) and $1.03 (tall) (and I already had the ribbon).
3. This is a solution for last-minute gift wrapping. (As long as you keep a supply of scrapbook paper and ribbon on hand.)

 

For this project you'll need:

12x12 scrapbook paper

tape

scissors

hole punch

ribbon

I used these Gift Bag Instructions that I found online.  Even with the instructions, it takes some trial and error - especially to make the size of bag that you want.

The first step is to fold the two sides to meet in the middle.  The turquoise bag is one 12x12 paper.  All the others I taped two or more sheets of paper together before I did this step. 

 

 

Also I discovered I like to fold (any amount) at the top down before step one, because it gives the top of the bag a more polished look when finished.

 

To get a "normal sized" gift bag, I used approx. 20x12 sheet of paper.

 

Then you tape the sides you just folded in together.

 

 

Next you fold up a few inches at the bottom.

 

 

From that bottom fold, put your hands at both edges and fold in.

 

 

Then tape the top and bottom and fold them together to meet in the middle and tape it down.

 

 

Then you can make folds on both sides and open the bag.

 

 

Finally you punch holes through the top and put a length of ribbon on each side, as a handle.  Tie knots on the inside of the bag to secure the ribbon.

 

 

Then you have a beautiful, inexpensive, handmade gift bag for your gift!