Are you ready to learn how to make a gift bag? These newspaper gift bags are a breeze to create! These creative, handcrafted bags not only reduce waste but also add a distinctive touch of personality to any present. Imagine transforming yesterday’s headlines into delightful carriers for today’s treasures, combining the nostalgia of print with the joy of giving.
Whether you’re wrapping a birthday surprise or a heartfelt thank you, newspaper gift bags offer a unique blend of practicality and creativity. Join us as we delve into the art of repurposing newspapers into beautiful gift bags that are as kind to the planet as they are to your budget.
This holiday season save money and go green when you make your own gift bags out of newspaper. Better yet, while school is out, keep your children busy with this simple craft .
How to make gift bags
To make your own small gift bag (5 inches tall), you’ll need a few items that are probably already around the house. Here’s the list:
- Two sheets of newspaper
- Tape (clear packaging tape is best) or glue
- A ruler
- Scissors
- String, twine or ribbon (optional)
- Package Included 6 Creative Craft Scissors; Each Pair Of Scissors Has A Unique Pattern.
- Easy To Use, Very Suitable For Children To Start Learning To Use Scissors.
- The Blade Is Covered By Plastic, It Could Prevent Children From Cutting Their Hands When Using.
- 【Size and Quantity】Each roll is 3/8 inch wide and 5 yards long, giving you a total of 100 yards plenty to get you through a full season of gift wrapping, crafting, and decorating.
- 【Christmas Theme Ribbon】 There are spools of solid red and green, solid silver and gold and a bunch of cool pattered ribbon. There are patterns with Christmas favorites like snowflakes, Santa, deer, trucks with trees, Christmas trees in reds and greens. There are blue and white winter ones. There are plaid and gingham ribbon spools, too. The variety is impressive.
- 【Quality and Design】The grosgrain texture is durable and slightly ribbed, which gives your bows and knots a nice structure without fraying. The prints are vibrant and festive, ranging from classic candy canes and snowflakes to simple “Merry Christmas” text. Colors stay bright and don’t fade or bleed when tied or trimmed.
- GIFT TAPE WITH A SECURE, STRONG HOLD: 6 rolls of Scotch Gift Wrap Tape with a tape dispenser gives a strong, secure hold to seal gift bags and keeps Christmas presents securely wrapped
- DISAPPEARS COMPLETELY: This holiday tape disappears on most gift wrap, letting the beautiful Christmas designs show through
- SATIN FINISH: The clear wrapping tape has a satin finish that gives gifts a smooth, finished look, making it the go-to Christmas tape for the holidays
Here’s how to make easy-to make homemade gift bags
Choose a sheet of newspaper that you’ll want for the outside of your bag. Lay another on top of it and measure then cut out a 15.5-by-8.25-inch rectangle to use for your do-it-yourself gift bag.
For the bottom of your easy-to-make gift bag, make a fold 2 inches from the lower edge. Fold the top edge down 1.25 inches. Glue these flaps down, using extra glue between the sheets to make sure both sheets are fastened. You can also use tape for this step.
Then you’ll need to measure and make several more folds to form your homemade gift bag’s shape. Working from the right edge of your cut rectangle, measure and mark the following points: 0.5 inches, 3.5 inches, 8 inches and 11 inches. Now make a creased fold at each of these points to form your bag.
Each side will be 3″ wide. The front and back are each 4.5 inches. The small fold you made at the right edge is the tab you will use to join your bag together, but don’t attach anything yet.
For reinforcement, you can run a length of packing tape around the top edge for extra strength. If you want even more reinforcement, you could use some heavier paper like card stock; cut a length and glue or tape that near the upper edge of your homemade gift bag.
Since I always figure the bags are throwaways, I skip this step and use these easy gift bags for lightweight gifts.
Now join the edges so the main bag shape is formed. You can use tape or glue. The tape is quicker since it doesn’t take any time to dry, but it will also show.
For me, quick always wins. Besides, the tape seems a little stronger than gluing.
Now form the bottom by folding sides, top and bottom, as if you’re wrapping a gift. Tape or glue to fasten. I like to line the inside bag bottom with tape or card stock for strength.
For a handle, you can punch holes in the top area of the bag and string twine or ribbon through to form handles knotted on the inside.
For variations, try cutting colorful paper with fancy-edge scissors and gluing that around the top outside edge of your homemade gift bag before you put on the handles.
You could also use old paper grocery bags, then add photographs, bows, or whatever else you feel makes your handcrafted gift bag complete. Altering the measurements by consistent percentages can make larger gift bags.
I told you it was easy to learn how to make your own gift bag! Giving a fun gift in a DIY gift bag is the best!
Is it hard to make your own gift bag out of newspaper?
Making your own gift bag out of newspaper is actually quite simple and can be a fun, creative project. It involves basic folding and cutting techniques, similar to origami, and requires just a few materials like scissors, tape, and of course, newspaper. With a bit of practice, you can easily create stylish and eco-friendly gift bags. Would you like a step-by-step guide on how to make one?
Is a newspaper gift bag appropriate to make and use during the holidays?
Absolutely! Newspaper gift bags can be a unique and thoughtful choice for holiday gift-giving. They add a personal, handmade touch to your presents and align perfectly with the spirit of sustainability. You can even customize them with festive decorations like ribbons, stamps, or drawings to make them more seasonal.
Plus, they offer a charming, vintage aesthetic that can stand out under the holiday tree. If you’d like, I can suggest some creative ways to decorate them for the holidays! Have fun making these DIY gift bags!
What are fun holiday gift ideas to add to these easy gift bags made out of newspapers?
There are so many fun gift ideas. Here are a few suggestions:
- DELUXE FONDUE MAKER: This fondue pot electric set comes with a melting base, removable 10oz melting bowl, 3 section detachable tray for easy serving & cleaning, and 4 skewers.
- EASY TO PREPARE: Use this tabletop-safe chocolate melting pot to evenly heat up to 140°F for melting. Once melted, turn it to warm and serve it up with your favorite dippings such as fruits, pretzels, marshmallows, candies, and more. To use for cheese melt cheese in advance and add to keep warm.
- MAKE A FONDUE PARTY: Invite your friends and family over and impress them! This is the perfect addition to game night, movie night, date night or just as a party on its own. Makes for great memories!
- Plenty of our favorite signature handmade real dark, milk and white chocolate treats are packed into this holiday themed gift box.
- Holiday themed treats include peppermint bark, chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate dipped Oreos and a chocolate Christmas tree.
- Even more dark, milk and white indulgences with a holiday decorated handmade jumbo peanut butter cup, 4 piece chocolate sea salt caramels and chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn.
- Ultra-Compact, Card-Style Design: At just 0.6 inches thick and 65 grams, these rechargeable hand warmers fit easily into gloves, pockets, or purses, making them the perfect winter accessories for any outdoor adventure, sleek design enhance you warm gear
- Efficient& Long-Lasting Heat: Enjoy instant warmth in just 2 seconds! With 3 adjustable heat settings, these electric hand warmers provide up to 8 hours of reliable heat each, the palm-friendly design is comfortable to hold. IP34 water-resistant, no fear of humidity
- Magnetic Pair for Double Heat: 2 pack hand warmers magnetically stick together for easily store and carry—Or separate them for one heater per hand provides double warmth! Plus, they can stick to your fridge as a fun, decorative piece
- ASSORTED DANISH BUTTER COOKIES: Enjoy a delightful variety of buttery Danish cookies baked with a traditional recipe in a 12-oz cookie gift tin
- CHRISTMAS COOKIE GIFT TIN: Presented in a beautifully designed cookie gift tin, perfect for holiday gifts and adding seasonal cheer to any occasion
- HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS: These Danish cookies are made with real butter for a crisp, delicate texture and buttery richness that melts in your mouth
- Multipurpose Knife Set: This kitchen knives set includes 8" Chef Knife, 8" Slicing Knife, 7" Santoku Knife, 8" Serrated Bread Knife, 5" Utility Knife, 3.5" Paring Knife, Kitchen Shears and 6 pcs Blade Guards
- Anti-rust coating: The healthy anti-rust coating protects the knife from oxidation and dishwasher safe, while the non-stick coating ensures the blades stay clean all day long
- Easy to carry: Each knife comes with a blade guard for safe, compact storage in your kitchen cupboard. These knives are also easy to carry when camping or storing in your RV
- About Material: The womens scarf is made of Cashmere-like Acrylic, the good yarn and cotton processing; Winter scarf is soft and close to the skin, not fade, no pilling, giving you lasting warmth and softness
- Scarf Size: The size of this scarf for women is 79 L x 23 W Inches(tassel 4"), this oversized plaid scarf suits many women and girls; Shawl and wraps around outfit and it will keep you warm all day long
- About Design: Winter scarfs for women has multicolor and fashion plaid modeling; The scarves is the new trending fashion statement of the fall and winter; The scarves for women are suit in fall and winter season for daily life, work, casual or party
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LOVE IT! ♥
Thanks, Mia! I hope you enjoy!
Sheri
Great idea. I could definitely use my unused garden bags for this.
What a great idea! I love it. I and trying to figure out how to make them bigger.
How much weight do you think this will hold? I am working on putting together some beauty and household gifts from items I have used coupons on :)
I would use it mostly for lighter presents, since it is basically made from newsprint.
Love your shopping with coupons strategy!