Learn how to create DIY gift bags out of a variety of materials – fabric, paper, wrapping paper, and more. Perfect for all sizes of gifts.
I have memories of wrapping gifts when I was younger. When we (my brothers and I) would go to other kids’ birthday parties, we were responsible for wrapping the gifts. My mom would buy the thing, and we would have to wrap it ourselves to take to the party.
Well . . . one time I couldn’t find the wrapping paper and so I used supplies from the recycle bin to wrap a present. I believe it was newspaper and potentially a paper bag.
My mom saw it and immediately said, “you’re going to need to re-wrap that.” I don’t think she wanted to send me to a party with a present wrapped in garbage.
And I have to admit – I’m not the Martha Stewart of wrapping. Even when presented with paper, tape, and all the correct supplies, I still have difficulties executing the perfect fold-and-tape situation. My corners aren’t crisp and leave a little something to be desired.
And that’s where DIY gift bags come in! Because guess what my friends: you don’t have to wrap something perfectly when you have a gift bag.
They are perfect for those of us who can’t wrap worth a crap, as well as unusually sized or shaped Christmas gift items that might be difficult to wrap.
And just because it’s a bag doesn’t mean you can’t personalize it or make it fun! This post is going to show you 50 ways to either make or dress up a gift bag so it’s absolutely perfect for giving to that special person. Who knows . . . they might even like it more than the gift! 😮
If you’ve got “gift wrap-itis” like I do, you’re going to appreciate these ideas. Just scroll down and take a peek at all of these DIY gift bags using a variety of supplies.
Many of them you probably already have in your stash, making the craft a budget friendly item as well.
Check out these projects and then let me know which you’ve tried and which are your favorites in the comments. Am I missing a perfect way to bag your gifts that you love? Let me know that too!
1
Lisa Tilse
No Sew Fabric
This project is all about putting love and care into gift wrap – create gorgeous unique no-sew fabric gift bags handmade by you. It’s quick and easy to make a batch of these in one session and you’ll have something ready for a little thank you or hostess gift.
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2
Crazy Rachel
Make a Gift Bag Out of a Magazine
I cannot believe how easy it is to make a gift bag out of a catalog or magazine! Pick some pages you like, get crafty, and you'll be amazed at how many you can make in a matter of minutes.
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3
lollyjane.com
Handlettered Holiday
This is an absolute favorite way to package goodies and small gifts during the holiday season. Brown paper bags are super affordable and can be printed on easily . . . this tutorial shows you how.
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4
Confetti That Sparkles
Create these unique DIY gift bags with your favorite Mod Podge formula and sparkly confetti. This is perfect for gift wrapping on a budget! Not only that, but they make great favor bags for parties. So versatile.
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5
Amy Bell
How to Make Reusable Gift Bags
Once you see how easy these reusable gift bags are to make, you’ll want to make a passel of them to use for any number of the recipients on your list: neighbors, teachers, friends, and more!
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6
Kelly Elko
Make DIY Gift Bags From Any Paper
Learn how to make a gift bag from any paper! It's a bit of a hybrid between wrapping and gift bagging with handles . . . and so easy to do.
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7
Cassandra May
Simple Sewing
This is a very simple sewing tutorial for even the most beginning seamstresses! There are three seams, and then you have a drawstring gift bag for Christmas that you can reuse.
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8
Ingrid Ødegaard
Triangular Gift Bags
These bags are perfect for a hostess gift, candy for the kids or an advent calendar present. They are really easy to make, and recipients are going to love the unique shape.
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9
Erin Williams
Gold Foil Unicorn
These gold foil DIY unicorn gift bags add a personal touch to birthday parties. Use them for party favors, teacher gifts, birthday gifts, and more!
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10
everydaydishes.com
DIY Mother’s Day Gift Bag
When Mother’s Day rolls around, skip the usual box and wrapping paper and give your gift to Mom in a new and unique way. Use the template; scrapbook paper and lunch bags make it easy.
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11
Emma Liston
Milk Carton Gift Box
Make your own mini milk carton boxes using scrapbook paper and a scoring board. A clever way to make a homemade gift box, with a difference.
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12
Kate Blocher
Birthday Bath Bomb Bag
Bath bombs are one my favorite things to gift! These bags would be perfect for gift them . . . or hot cocoa bombs too. They are a very easy sewing project!
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13
Diana Callaghan
Make a Simple Fabric Gift Bag
Diana likes to give gifts in reusable fabric bags! They are super simple to make so that even a beginner sewist can create them. There are loads of different fabrics to choose from depending on the occasion.
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14
Lucy Akins
Gingerbread House Gift Bag
These gingerbread house bags are perfect for holding cookies, a small gift, or gift card. You'll use puffy paint or a paint pen to draw on the design.
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15
Sam Calcott
Large Briefcase Style Gift Bag
Use sheets of scrapbook paper to make these useful and pretty bags! Be careful taking the gift out; you'll want to reuse these.
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16
Kari Sweeten
Father’s Day Gift Bag Printables
All you need are some plain gift bags (or even brown paper bags) and you can dress them up for Father's Day using Kari's printables! They are so easy.
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17
Allison Murray
Glitter Dipped Gift Bags
Learn how to glitter these beautifully blingy gift bags that take very little time to make and cost very little. Can you imagine getting a gift dripping with glitter? Sounds absolutely fabulous to me!
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18
handmadiya.com
Easy Drawstring Bags
These simple drawstring bags are easy to make and are perfect for goodie bags or for gift-giving. You can make them in any size required, or personalise them by adding a letter initial to each bag.
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19
somethingturquoise.com
Fringe Christmas Trees
Fringe scissors are your best friend when making these darling fringe Christmas trees! Quick simple and the perfect embellishment to any bag.
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20
Kelly Rowe
DIY Burlap Gift Bags
Burlap is a perfect fabric for the holiday season! Learn how to decorate smaller gift bags for party favors or Christmas events.
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21
Tasha Agruso
Make a Gift Bag from Wrapping Paper
Never buy pre-made gift bags again! Learn how to make a gift bag from wrapping paper. It's easy and PERFECT for oddly shaped items!
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22
tulipcolor.com
Stranger Things
If you are looking to step up your gift wrapping game, start by making these Stranger Things inspired gift bags. You can never go wrong with a little pop culture, and these bags are a nod to one of my fave binge-worthy TV obsessions!
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23
Cindy Hopper
Printed Burlap Bottle Bag
You've probably painted on burlap, but have you printed on it? Cindy will show you how, and you can do this for any sized bag you like.
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24
Lexy Ward
DIY Stenciled Gift Bags
This gift bag idea would be a good one for teens! Not only is it easy, but you can be the cool mom with your understanding of text abbreviations. It's a win-win.
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25
Alice & Lois
No-Sew Fabric Gift Bags
Patterned fabric and fusible hemming tape are all you need to whip up this no-sew gift bags. They take less than 10 minutes to make and you can fill them with holiday goodies and gifts.
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26
designertrapped.com
DIY Santa Sacks Your Kids Will LOVE!
Before you know it, Santa will be on the chimney eager to deliver all his special gifts. What's a better way to receive a Christmas gift than in a DIY Santa sack?! There's a Cricut file here that you can easily personalize.
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27
The Dating Divas
Harry Potter Magical Gift Bags
Do you have a muggle in your life that you just love and adore?! The Dating Divas created a whole gift bag jam-packed with beautiful printables for you to give to your favorite Harry Potter fan!
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28
craftsalamode.com
Valentine Arrow
I love the 3-D arrow on the front of this sweet gift bag! Perfect for giving to sweethearts, kids, friends, and co-workers.
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29
tikkido.com
Wolf Themed
Turn a plain paper gift bag into a wonderful wolf gift bag using felt and free printable wolf mask templates. These would be great for a woodland themed birthday party!
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30
afewshortcuts.com
DIY Paper Bag Bunnies
Giving a fun spring gift has never been so easy! These DIY paper bag bunny treat bags are not only simple to make for spring or Easter, but affordable too.
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31
thesemifrugallife.blogspot.com
DIY Painted Billy Balls
This is a great one for the person who feels like they don't have any crafting skills! All you need is a foam spouncer and you can use any paint colors you like.
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32
Jen Goode
Wine Gift Bag with Infusible Ink
Create your own custom wine bag with and art design heat set using Cricut’s Infusible Ink. Create a Cricut project that is full of color! From start to finish you can make a personalized fabric beverage gift bag in under 30 minutes!
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33
www.craftystaci.com
Double Beer or Wine Gift Bag
If you'd like to give more than one bottle, this is a great way to do that! Not only does it make a great gift bag, but it's perfect for reusing when going to the store.
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34
yarnandhooks.com
Easy Crochet Gift Bag Pattern
I've been in the process of learning to crochet for about 10 years! If you're already an expert, you can whip out these crocheted gift bags in no time.
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35
www.theyellowbirdhouse.com
Plaid Fabric Gift Bags
Follow this simple sewing tutorial to make these cute reusable plaid fabric gift bags for Christmas! An easy craft to reuse year after year and perfect for people like me who love plaid.
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36
Vicky Barone
Pineapple Gift Bags
How much easier can it get to make the cutest summer gift bags ever? You'll need a white marker, yellow bags, and green tissue. Perfect for summer birthdays and pool parties.
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37
seekatesew.com
Mini Bags
Not every gift is large! For the really small ones – make a small gift bag!
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38
Dawn Wade
Ice Cream Gift Bag
Honestly I don't need anyone else to scream for me to scream for ice cream! These ice cream favor bags are so cute . . . the pom poms make me squeal.
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39
Kara Harvey
Reindeer Gift Bags
If you're giving children little Christmas gifts, or they're giving each other little gifts (maybe in the classroom?) these reindeer gift bags are perfect. I just love the wiggly eyes.
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40
Desiree Campbell
DIY Gift Bags and Apple Stamps
These apple stamped gift bags are the perfect for back to school or gifts! Add some fresh picked apples and your own homemade applesauce or apple pie recipe to the present.
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41
Stacey Gibbon
DIY Mermaid Gift Bags
Mermaids are magical all year long! If you have a “mermaid” lover in your life with an upcoming birthday, this handmade gift bag idea is the perfect “extra something” to blow the lucky receiver away!
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42
ahomemadeliving.com
Sweater Treat Bags
You'll make this pretty and simple gift bags using pieces of sweater! Use up scraps from old clothing projects or make a thrift store run to make this Christmas sweater bags.
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43
Kara Harvey
Color Your Own
These personalized Color Your Own Gift Bags are easy to make thanks to the Cricut, and are the perfect way to gift wrap your holiday gifts this year.
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44
unifyhandmade.blogspot.com
Paper Bag House
Turn a paper bag into a cute little Christmas house for gifting, with a few simple supplies.
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45
Carrie Waller
Modern Botanicals
This 30-minute craft upgrades plain bags using exclusive botanical coloring pages so no two bags will ever be the same! Be sure to download the free botanical coloring printables at the link!
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46
Danetta Thurman
Santa’s Belt
Looking for a fun way to wrap up your Christmas gifts? We have this fun and simple DIY Santa belt gift bag to help you finish off the perfect present.
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47
Jen Walshaw
Unicorn with Flowers
If you need a gift bag, transform a plain white bag! Jen turned hers into a beautiful unicorn gift bag with a fab free printable.
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I hope you enjoyed these handmade gift bags! I’d also love for you to check out these other craft ideas as well: