Making Christmas Gift Bags

Here is the finished Yuletide Gift Bag.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Here is the finished
Yuletide Gift Bag.

Looking for an extra special way to wrap that thank-you gift? Check out some of these handmade gift bag ideas. Who can help but be flattered that you spent so much time and effort? Recipients don't need to know how fun and easy these projects are to create!

Yuletide Gift Bag

Place homemade mustards or other special treats in this fun-to-make felt bag. Here are the materials you will need:
  • 1 yard blue felt
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • White embroidery floss
  • Embroidery needle
  • 24 inches white satin ribbon, 3/8 inch wide
  • Stiffened adhesive-backed white felt
  • Extra jumbo snowflake craft punch
To construct a Yuletide Gift Bag:
  1. From blue felt, measure and cut a 41/2-inch square base and four 41/2x12-inch side panels.

  2. Matching square base to 41/2-inch edge of a side panel and starting 1/2 inch in from edges, blanket-stitch pieces together with white embroidery floss. Continue adding side panels until all are attached to base.

    Blanket stitch the sides of the gift bag together.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Blanket stitch the sides of the
    gift bag together.

  3. Starting at base, blanket-stitch sides together, matching seam allowances of side panels to each other. Finish stitching 11/2 inches from top.

  4. Fold top of side panels down 11/2 inches. With scissors and repeating for each side, snip four 3/4-inch slits along fold, centered on side and about 1 inch apart.

    Snip along the folds of the gift bag to form the fringe.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Snip four slits on each side of the bag.

  5. Along top edge of bag, cut fringe. Thread white ribbon through slits around bag.

    Thread the white ribbon through the slits you've created.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Thread the white ribbon through
    the slits you've created.

  6. Punch a snowflake from adhesive-backed white felt using jumbo craft punch. Position and stick snowflake in place on front of bag.

    Here is the finished Sponged Gift Bag.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Here is the finished
    Sponged Gift Bag.

Sponged Gift Bags

Use a few sponges and some gleaming paints to turn your plain brown wrapper into a wonderful work of art. Your crafting will be appreciated as much as the gift inside! Here's what you'll need:
  • 3 pieces household sponge, 1x11/2 inches each
  • Paper plates
  • Metallic paint: royal ruby, crystal green, glorious gold
  • Brown paper bag in desired size
  • Hole punch
  • 1 yard ribbon, 3/8 inch wide
  • 6 jingle bells, 12mm each
  • Scissors
To construct a Sponged Gift Bag:
  1. Moisten pieces of sponge; squeeze out excess water.

  2. Pour a small amount of royal ruby paint onto paper plate. Dip sponge into paint and dab off excess on clean area of paper plate. Open bag. Place hand and arm into bag, and lightly sponge ruby paint onto all sides, using your hand inside of bag to give support as needed. Repeat with green and then gold paint. Allow bag to dry.

    Dab off the excess paint and lightly sponge the bag.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Dab off the excess paint and
    lightly sponge the bag.

  3. Punch holes about 1 inch or so apart around top of bag.

    Punch holes around the mouth of the bag.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Punch holes around the mouth of the bag.

  4. Weave ribbon through holes, threading a jingle bell onto each section of ribbon that will remain outside of bag.

    Weave a ribbon through the holes and a jingle bell on each exposed section.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Weave a ribbon through the holes and a
    jingle bell on each exposed section.

  5. Insert gift into bag and carefully pull ribbon ends to gather top of bag. Tie into a bow and thread bells onto each ribbon end, securing with a knot.
In our next section, we will look at an alternative to the gift bag -- the gift box.