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.
- Christmas Gift Set: The package includes 4 rolls of 100 yards Christmas ribbons, 25 yards in red, 25 yards in green, 25 yards in gold, 25 yards in silver, which are suitable for Christmas decoration
- Durable Materials: Metallic glitter ribbons are made of quality polyester fiber, with strong metallic luster, light, flexible and elegant, long time for use. Red and green satin ribbons are made of polyester fabric material, soft, silky, durable, with bright colors. It's a good choice for Christmas gift wrapping
- Wide Application: Red, green, gold, silver ribbons are suitable for Christmas party decorations, gift wrapping, wedding, cake wrapping, flower decorations, bows, headbands, ribbon crafts and other crafts decorations
- GIFT TAPE WITH A SECURE, STRONG HOLD: 2 rolls of Scotch Gift Wrap Tape with a tape dispenser gives a strong, secure hold to seal elementary and college gifts; it keeps presents securely wrapped
- DISAPPEARS COMPLETELY: This teacher tape disappears on most gift wrap, letting the beautiful designs show through so your students can see them
- SATIN FINISH: The clear wrapping tape has a satin finish that gives gifts a smooth, finished look, making it the go-to tape for holidays, birthdays and everyday elementary and college celebrations
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:
- A Starbucks Card is Always Welcome
- Starbucks Cards redeemable at most SB locations
- It’s a great way to treat a friend. It’s a convenient way to pre-pay for your own regular purchases.
- SKIN CARE PRODUCTS: Pamper from head to toe with this giftable set including 6 travel size products: Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream Coconut Foot Cream Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream Almond & Milk Hand Cream Hand Salve and Pomegranate Lip Balm.
- HANDS & FEET: Pamper and soothe dry rough cracked skin with moisturizing hand salve cuticle cream hand cream and rich foot cream.
- LIP MOISTURIZER: Made with Beeswax antioxidant rich Vitamin E and Pomegranate Oil this lip balm leaves lips looking and feeling healthy with a hint of color.
- 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!
- 🎁 ELEGANTLY PACKAGED GIFT BASKET LOADED WITH TASTY NUTS - Forget flowers and chocolate, give a gift that’s delicious and healthy! In this bundle pack of Healthy Snacks, you get approximately 1 LB of tasty gourmet nuts meticulously packaged in a boutique-style gift box.
- 🥜 VARIETY OF FRESH TASTY NUTS FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY – The deluxe mixed nut box contains Toffee Peanuts, Glazed Almonds, Roasted Salted Almonds, Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios, Glazed Peanuts, Roasted Salted Cashews, and Glazed Pecans
- 👌 THERE ARE TREATS... AND THEN THERE ARE NUT HAVEN TREATS! - Batches of nuts may look the same to most of us, but the mavens at Nut Haven know the difference between a typical treat and a gourmet edible delight. The only items that make it into a Nut Haven basket are carefully selected nuts that are naturally rich, ideally textured and roasted OR sweetened with the perfect flavor.
- BURSTING WITH FLAVOR: We’ve included a popcorn flavoring for every taste! White Cheddar, Sweet & Salty Kettlecorn, Chili Lime, Buttery Caramel and Sizzling Sriracha gourmet popcorn seasoning.
- POPCORN GIFT SET: Give this delicious popcorn kernel and seasoning set at your next dinner party or holiday gathering – it’s the perfect foodie gift for any occasion!
- NOT JUST FOR POPCORN: Use our spices however you like! Sprinkle these popcorn topping blends on potatoes, nuts, chips and ice cream!
- Fragrance Blend: Balsam, aromatic cedar wood, and juniper berry for a festive forest scent
- Long-lasting: Provides a 110 to 150 hour burn time
- Quality Paraffin Wax: Ensures clear, consistent burn
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- 10 uses for shredded paper
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!