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How to Make a Gift Bag out of Wrapping Paper

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It’s so easy to learn how to make a DIY gift bag out of wrapping paper with this step by step tutorial!

Three different sized gift bags with white ribbons

I share a lot of DIY gifts here on the website so it only seems right to make some DIY gift bags from wrapping paper as well! These bags are perfect for gifting when you don’t have a bag on hand and they are super easy to make in just a few simple steps.

While you’re at it download these printable Christmas gift tags too!


There are two different types of bags I’m going to show you how to make-the first is the fastest and it’s more or less a paper sack. It’s great for holding oddly shaped objects. The second is a more traditional looking gift bag that looks like those you’d find for sale in stores. Both are easy!

Supplies:

Wrapping Paper Bag: Step by step instructions

Brown and white wrapping paper
  1. Start out by cutting your wrapping paper big enough to fully cover whatever it is you’re wrapping.
Brown and white wrapping paper folded
  1. Lay the paper right side down and fold over each side to the center making sure there is a small overlap.
  2. Tape the paper (I totally forgot to do this in the next few pictures-sorry!)
Brown and white wrapping paper folded to be used as a DIY gift bag
  1. Fold what will be the bottom of your bag up toward the top. Be sure to make it wide enough for your gift.
Brown and white wrapping paper folded into a bag
  1. Pull the top layer of the paper up towards the top to open it up in a triangle shape (this is so hard to describe-hence the pictures!)
folded brown and white wrapping paper
  1. Do the same on the other side.
Brown wrapping paper with white dots being folded
  1. Fold the ends toward the center, again making sure there is some overlap.
Brown and white wrapping paper folded to be used as a DIY gift bag

Almost done!

A completed view of a DIY gift bag
  1. Tape the bottom of the bag and you’re done! Open up the top and fill it up! You can fold the top over as in the picture at the top of the post and hole punch with some ribbon or tape it and add a bow-however you like!
wrapping paper, scotch tape, scissors and a box

For the second type of bag-the more traditional one-you’ll need a few extra supplies-some double sided tape or adhesive and a box to use as a form.

How to Make a DIY Gift Bag

three diy gift bags

It’s so easy to learn how to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper with this step by step tutorial!

Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • wrapping paper
  • invisible tape
  • double sided tape or adhesive (optional)

Tools

  • Box to use as a template

Instructions

    1. Start with enough paper to fully wrap your gift with a little extra room. Fold about a half inch over of whichever edge of of the paper will be the top of your bag. This gives it a more finished look. Secure with double sided tape or adhesive.folding wrapping paper edge
    2. Place you box on the paper and wrap the paper around it like you would any gift. Try not to wrap it too tight as it will make the box hard to remove later.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    3. Use adhesive to secure the overlapping paper.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    4. On the side of the bag you want to be the bottom, wrap as you would any gift.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    5. Secure with tape or strong adhesive.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    6. (optional) To make the bag stronger you can cut a piece of thin cardboard to place in the bottom.
    7. Use your fingers to make a sharp crease along the edges of the box.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    8. Now that the top edge and bottom are secure and you’ve creased the edges you can remove the box from the paper-be gentle so you don’t rip the paper.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    9. Gently pinch the edges of the top of the bag together to create a crease in the side of the bag.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    10. Continue creasing down the length of the side, stopping an inch or two (or more depending on the size of your bag) above the bottom.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    11. Use a hole punch at the top of the bag to make two holes.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!
    12. Thread ribbon through the holes and tie a knot on the interior as shown to make handles or you can choose to tie a ribbon through both sets of holes and secure with a bow to tie it closed.It's easy to make your own DIY Gift Bags in under 5 minutes using wrapping paper, tape and ribbon! Perfect for Christmas or wrapping oddly shaped presents!

So easy right?

Whew! That was a lot of pictures! I hope this tutorial helps-it’s good to know when you find yourself in a pinch without gift bags!

Three different sized gift bags with white ribbons

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14 Comments

  1. I made 5 bags in different sizes quickly when I saw this and loved it!! It really saved me in a bind and so easy and cheap to do with supplies in hand. Thank you so much 😃💕

    1. I’m just grateful that she took the time to share her ideas with us and asked nothing in return. Perhaps the least we can do is be kind in our comments to her.

        1. You can’t please everyone, but you can do a post completely and correctly on the first try. It’s lazy to not start over if you forgot to document a portion of the instructions when you are teaching people something. Not everyone can watch videos.

          1. There is a video and step-by-step photos. The only thing left out was literally a couple of pieces of tape. I’m not sure what else you want from a completely FREE resource for you on the internet.

      1. This idea is available all over the internet from people who make complete photo tutorials. It’s not that hard for her to restart the process in order to take photos of all of the steps. It’s not like this was done on a live stream. She was in charge of putting this post together and it was done lazily.

  2. Melissa, This was an awesome video tutorial. I watched it with my 11 year old daughter and we are definitely going to be making some of these for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

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