Make a Gift Bag from Wrapping Paper

INSIDE : No longer do you need to hunt high and low for another gift bag. No more running to the store to buy another bag that will be tossed. Learn how to make a gift bag from wrapping paper! They take moments to make and it’s great to use up your gift wrap stash.

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This post has been updated since it’s original publish date of January 2023.

It seems to never fail, we have a birthday party coming up and run out to purchase a gift only to get home and realize I forgot to buy a bag to put our present in. Or how many times have you run around searching around your home for something to make wrapping an unusual shaped gift??

Well today I am sharing how simple it really is to make a gift bag from wrapping paper! Whether you are looking for creative gift bags, making a large gift bag or just looking for a youtube video on how to make a gift bag, I have you covered!

DIY Creative Gift Bag supplies

• Wrapping Paper, Minted Wrapping Paper, Rifle Paper Wrapping Paper
• Gold Scissors
• Tape
• Hole Punch
• Ribbon

How to Make a Colorful Gift Bag out of Wrapping Paper

Whether you are making a Christmas bag, Birthday bag or just a gift bag for a friend the process is all the same.

Step 1: Cut Paper and Fold

To make a paper bag out of wrapping paper, start by placing the item you are planning to wrap down on your paper. You want your “folded paper” to be at least the width of your item.

Once you have that width, cut your paper accordingly.

Step 2: Tape down the Side

Now fold one side over the other and add two pieces of tape. This should leave you with a “tube” type shape, open on both ends.

Step 3: Fold the Bottom Side Up

Next, fold up the bottom of your tube about 2″ or so.

Step 4: Fold both Bottom Sides inward and tape Corners

Now slightly open the flat, fold each corner inward to create two side triangles.

Step 5: Fold Top and Bottom pieces down

Then, fold both the top and bottom pieces inward.

Looking for other fun gift bag ideas? Check out these DIY Glitter Gift Bags.

Step 6: Add tape to secure

Add tape to secure the bottom of your gift bag together.

Step 7: Open the bag and fill

Now it is time to open up your DIY Wrapping Paper Gift Bag!

DIY Gift Wrap Bag

You now have a very basic gift bag made from wrapping paper!

Adding ribbon to your gift bag

You can simply fold over your new gift bag and secure with tape OR you can add a little more embellishment.

Using a hole punch, create two holes and thread the ribbon through and tie.

Large Christmas Gift Bags from Wrapping Paper

And there you go! Add yourself a gift tag, a bow or any other lovely gift item you’d like. You now have made yourself folded gift wrap. This folded gift bag is also a great way to give small favor bags (or diy goodie bag) for a party or an easy way to wrap those large Christmas gifts!

How to wrap a ball

Wrapping oddly shaped gifts can sometimes be very frustrating. If your gift doesn’t have symmetrical edges or no edges at (a ball), it’s hard to knowing where to fold your paper without wrinkling it or making the present look poorly.

However, there is a quick method I have found to wrap a ball like a professional AND it takes no time at all!

Cut a long piece of wrapping paper

You are looking for a rectangular shape piece of wrapping paper, longer than it is wide.

When the ball is placed in the center of your paper, you should have at least a few inches of paper left over on either side. Don’t forget, you can always cut the paper smaller once you get started.

Place the ball at the top of the wrapping paper

With the long side of the paper orientated hortizontally, place the ball at the top of the paper and grap the paper as you roll the ball towards yourself.

Keep rolling the ball and the paper until the ball is completely covered by wrapping paper in a tube like shape.

Place a piece of tape on the end of your wrapping paper to secure the tube shape.

Gather the ends of the paper with ribbon

Gather all the wrapping paper on one side of your tube and use a decorative ribbon to tie it in place. Then repeat this on the other side.

Your end result should look like a larger version of a candy wrapper.

Enjoy your easy to wrap round present!