How to Make a Gift Bag out of Wrapping Paper
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
It’s so easy to learn how to make a DIY gift bag out of wrapping paper with this step by step tutorial!
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: choose a higher quality paper to give the bag strength
- invisible tape
- double sided adhesive (optional but very helpful)
Wrapping Paper Bag: Step by step instructions
- Start out by cutting your wrapping paper big enough to fully cover whatever it is you’re wrapping.
- Lay the paper right side down and fold over each side to the center making sure there is a small overlap.
- Tape the paper (I totally forgot to do this in the next few pictures-sorry!)
- Fold what will be the bottom of your bag up toward the top. Be sure to make it wide enough for your gift.
- 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!)
- Do the same on the other side.
- Fold the ends toward the center, again making sure there is some overlap.
Almost done!
- 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!
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
It’s so easy to learn how to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper with this step by step tutorial!
Materials
- wrapping paper
- invisible tape
- double sided tape or adhesive (optional)
Tools
- Box to use as a template
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Use adhesive to secure the overlapping paper.
- On the side of the bag you want to be the bottom, wrap as you would any gift.
- Secure with tape or strong adhesive.
- (optional) To make the bag stronger you can cut a piece of thin cardboard to place in the bottom.
- Use your fingers to make a sharp crease along the edges of the box.
- 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.
- Gently pinch the edges of the top of the bag together to create a crease in the side of the bag.
- 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.
- Use a hole punch at the top of the bag to make two holes.
- 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.
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!
Thank you for such an easy to follow tutorial. I never seem to give gifts that are straight forward to wrap.
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 😃💕
So glad it was helpful to you!
Pretty lazy to forget to take pictures of all steps. Defeats the purpose of a tutorial.
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.
Thanks for the sweet comment Stacy! (there is a video above too with the step by step…can’t please everyone!)
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.
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.
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.
Great tutorial. Thank you!
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.
I’m so glad you liked it Treasure!! ~Melissa
thanks!
Thanks for the great ideas! I never would have thought of that on my own! You’re awesome!
practical and easy craft……Melissa is so natural in her demonstration….Thxs,, Melissa