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)
- MULTIPURPOSE: The all purpose scissors are great for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric, photos, and more
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE BLADES: These office scissors are made with PVD coated blades, providing improved cutting power
- LONG-LASTING SHARPNESS: The PVD coated blades on these heavy duty scissors remain sharp beyond 100,000 cuts, delivering consistent performance
- [Classic Christmas Set] – Includes red, green, white, and gold satin ribbon in a coordinated 4-color set; the traditional Christmas color palette is easy to mix and match
- [Size] – Each satin ribbon measures 1 inch wide × 25 yards long; 4 rolls provide a total of 100 yards of ribbon, giving you plenty of length for wrapping multiple gifts and completing holiday craft projects
- [Material] – Made of quality polyester satin fabric with a smooth surface, soft feel, and elegant sheen
- INVISIBLE TAPE: 3 rolls of Scotch Magic Tape with dispenser mends rips and tears acquired during the holidays securely, permanently and invisibly
- HALLOWEEN CREATIONS: Craft eerie decorations or make spooky costumes with Scotch Magic Tape
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:
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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!