How to Make a Gift Bag Using Upcycled Paper

Tired of spending a fortune on gift bags? If so, save all of your gently-used gift wrap, newspaper and shirt boxes from the holidays and other gift-giving occasions to make your own! Each bag works up quickly and you most likely have most materials already on-hand! You can customize them however you like and for any occasion.

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You can find a lot of how-to instructions online and videos over on YouTube. However, if you want to skip all of that…I recommend deconstructing a gift bag that you already have. Gently undo it and unfold it. You will then have a workable template to use! Of course, if you just want to make a simple one…you can check out this YouTube video.

How to Make a Gift Bag

Template (as I explained above)
Gently-Used Gift Wrap or Newspaper
Gently-Used Shirt Box
Glue Sticks and All-Purpose Liquid Glue
Metal Craft Grommets
Scissors
Ruler
Satin Ribbon, rope or Jute (for handles)
Tracing Pencil

I like my gift bags in a variety of different sizes. I descontruct a gently used gift bag in the size that I want. I use it as my pattern. Trace the shape onto your preferred paper. You can use gift wrap, scrapbooking paper, newspaper, etc. The one shown in my photo was made from double-layered newspaper. Use scissors to cut out your base shape.

Following the fold lines on the deconstructed bag you’ll want to put all of your folds into place. Then glue your bottom flaps together. I like to use liquid, quick-drying glue but you can use a glue gun or a glue stick for paper crafts. Make sure that it dries firmly in place.

You need to reinforce the bottom of the bag. I like to cut rectangle shapes from gently-used, upcycled, shirt boxes. Just cut the size you need (rectangle) and place it into the bottom of the bag. You can glue it down with a glue stick made for paper crafting. Cut two smaller rectangles from the shirt box about 1″ wide by a little shorter in length than the width of your bag. These strips will add strength to the top of yoru bag. Fold the top edges of the bag over the cardboard strips and down . Use glue to secure everything into place. This gives it a finished look.

Add two metal craft grommets to each side of your bag. They will be for the handles. You can use rope, jute, satin ribbon, yarn, etc. for the handles. Make sure that you cut two even pieces (in my example I used natural colored rope). Thread through the grommets and knot each end to hold it in place.

Making your own gift bags allows you to customize them for the recipient. Plus, you’re upcycling paper and other products which saves them from the landfill. On top of that, you’re saving money! A great craft project for a cold winter afternoon or a lazy Sunday. Even the kids can help you make them!

You can get really creative with this project! You can use old magazines, wall posters, unused wallpaper, gift wrap, newspaper, scrapbooking paper, art and watercolor paper, etc.

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