#wrapping-paper

Emily Kinni

Have a little fun wrapping your presents this year. Here are eight ways to turn a gift bag into something worth saving.

Crafts developed by Morgan Levine.

Reindeer Gift Bag

1. Start with a brown paper lunch bag. Pop out the sides of the bag so that the face of the bag is wider. 2. Cut antlers out of the top half of the bag, and then refold the bottom portion back so it sits like a normal lunch bag. 3. Insert the gift and use double stick tape to secure the bag closed. 4. Add a thin strip of cardstock to make sure the antlers are rigid, and then secure them together. 5. Glue on a pom pom nose and draw in eyes.

More on RealSimple.com: Homemade Christmas Crafts for Kids

Snowflake Stamped Bag

1. Start with a dark paper gift bag, white stamp ink, and a rubber snowflake stamp. You can find these stamps at your local craft store. 2. Stamp assorted snowflakes onto the bag. Stamp them in clusters to make it look like “snowfall.” 3. It will look extra festive with silver tissue paper.

Homemade Tree Stamp

1. Using a craft knife, stencil and then carve a tree shape into a large rubber eraser, creating a stamp.  2. Stamp the bag in a lined pattern using a white inkpad.  3. Decorate trees with assorted gel pens. You can make little ornaments by dotting the trees, add tiny stars to the top, or just outline shapes.

More on RealSimple.com: 5 Unique Gift Wrap Ideas You’ll Never Find in a Store

Cellophane Bag

1. Wrap a gift in colorful tissue paper. Use several layers so that the gift doesn’t show through, and you won’t be able to tell if one sheet tears. 2. Use small glue dots to attach sequins and festive stickers to the tissue paper bundle. 3. Insert the bundle into a cellophane bag. Tape the bag shut and tie a ribbon around it.

Spray Painted Greenery

1. Spray a sprig or branch of pine from your backyard with repositionable adhesive spray. 2. Place the sticky side of the branch onto a colorful gift bag. Place the bottom of the stem at one corner, and lay the branch diagonally across. 3. Spray the entire bag with metallic spray paint and, when it dries, carefully peel back the branch.

Candy Stripe Bag

1. Start with a tall, narrow gift bag—like one you’d use for a bottle of wine—and colorful artist or masking tape. 2. Create diagonal “candy stripes” down the front of the bag. You can use any pattern—we placed three close together, but you can evenly space all of them, like a candy cane. 3. Repeat on the back of the bag.

Small Bags

1. All you need are tiny colorful gift bags, and a black felt-tip marker. 2. Draw assorted bows and ties onto the front of the gift bags. We’ve included four styles for inspiration, but feel free to get creative. You can even use metallic paint pens for a festive “ribbon” that will definitely stand out. 

Ribbon and Washi Tape Bag

1. Start with a solid paper gift bag, washi tape, ribbon, and a tag. You’ll want the ribbon to be thinner than the washi tape. 2. Wrap one strip of washi tape vertically around the center of the bag. Wrap the ribbon around the bag—down the center of the washitape. Tie a bow at the top to fasten the bag shut. 3. Attach the gift tag to the front.

More from RealSimple.com:

6 Things You Need to Know to Pick the Perfect Tree

15 Easy Christmas Decorations