Why Buy New Ones? Here’s How to Make Your Own Holiday Gift Bags

I’m sure gift-giving is on the minds of lots of people about now, and I’ve got an easy and fun tutorial on how to make your own gift bags.

Have you noticed that the days of December seem to move a little quicker than those of any other month? They certainly do to me. With two of our children celebrating birthdays the week of Christmas, they move really fast around here.

Getting as much done ahead of time – and striving to keep things simple – helps me to keep the noise down!

Save Money on Holiday Supplies

I like to shop for decorations and supplies after a holiday passes to save for the following year. If you choose to use wrapping and/or tissue paper at Christmas, you can save a significant amount of money doing this each year!

I’ve done this for so many years now that I don’t think I could bring myself to pay full price for wrapping paper that is going to just get ripped up and tossed into the garbage.

Save Small Empty Boxes

As hard as I try to remove processed foods from our home, we do still have boxes of this or that around.

And when we recently had two weeks of travel back to back, we resorted to Pop Tarts and cereal to get us out of the house quickly on the days we needed to leave town early. Those empty boxes come in handy, though.

Save Ribbon from Craft Projects or Gifts

Who doesn’t have a stash of ribbon or decorative string around?

In addition to leftover spools of ribbon for hair bows and other projects, I like to collect strings and ribbons from things that are — you guessed it — otherwise going to be tossed into the garbage!

Ready to get started? Grab a roll of tape, some scissors and a hole puncher, and we’re ready to go!

Step 1: Cover the Box with Wrapping Paper

Start by cutting the top flaps off of the box, then wrapping it, leaving extra paper extending over the top.

Step 2: Fold the Edges of the Paper

Fold the excess paper down into the box and tape into place.

You may need to cut the paper along the corners in order to make it lie down neatly.

Step 3: Attach Ribbon Handles

Finally, using your hole punch, put two holes on each side of the box at the top, then run a length of ribbon through and tie inside the box in a knot.

Now you’re ready to add some coordinating tissue paper and any embellishments you like, and you have a very simple, fun and totally unique gift bag.

Plus, these bags are sturdier than standard gift bags. They can be customized exactly how you like with papers, ribbons and embellishments. And you can make them any size, depending on the box you choose.

Your Turn: Will you forgo store-bought gift bags and try these handmade alternatives this holiday season?

This post was originally published at To Work With My Hands. Creating fun and frugal projects for the home and garden, To Work With My Hands is your source to be encouraged, be inspired and be creative.