Decorating Gift Bags For Christmas

Gift bags at the store are boring and impersonal. Plus, they are usually expensive! Instead of spending a lot of money on something that's just going to get tossed in the trash, take a little extra time to make the gift bag special enough to be part of the gift.

You don't need to buy a gift bag when you have these DIY gift bags at the ready. I made a cool set of gift bags for my last party and people raved about them.

Carrot Goodie Bag

Gift bags at the store are boring and impersonal.

Plus, they are usually expensive! Instead of spending a lot of money on something that's just going to get tossed in the trash, take a little extra time to make the gift bag special enough to be part of the gift.

Seed Packet Bags

Whether you're throwing a garden party or your wedding has a garden theme, these seed packet bags make great party favors. Using basic muslin bags and a garden themed rubber stamp of your choice, you can give guests the gift of homegrown produce.

Dip-Dye Favor Bags

Although many gift bag tutorials involve cutting, gluing, and sewing, there's a much easier way to add a personal touch to favor bags.

Simply choose the permanent dyes of your choice and dip basic fabric bags into each dye for an eye-catching pop of color.

Ballerina Gift Bag

Getting ready to celebrate a little girl's birthday? Let the gift bag become part of the gift! This cute canvas bag is created by stenciling a cute pink dress with a fluffy tulle skirt. Instead of throwing the gift bag in the garbage, she will be able to continue using it!

Shirt Gift Bag

These shirt gift bags were created in honor of Mother's Day, but because you can pick and choose the style and pattern of the shirt, they can be repurposed for a wide variety of occasions. Think work parties, school events, holidays, and more!

No-Sew Gift Bags

There's no need to get out the sewing machine with these cute gift bags! Instead of stitching the bags, you simply glue them together. Then, provide the finishing touch by painting a heart or other fun shape on the outside of the bag, depending on the occasion.

Coffee Sachet

Although this gift bag is a bit more involved, the recipients of these coffee sachets are sure to use them again and again! If you're skilled with a sewing machine, or you enjoy hand embroidery, you'll be able to create one-of-a-kind gift bags that you'll enjoy making, and they'll enjoy receiving.

Apple Tote Bag

Looking for a fun way to show your appreciation for the teacher in your life? Or maybe you're throwing a fruit themed shindig? Either way, this apple tote bag makes the perfect gift. It's quite simple to make because it only requires a canvas tote and iron-on appliques.

Buffalo Gift Bag

Plain paper bags are economical, which makes them a great gift bag option, but they are so boring! Jazz up your bags a bit with a buffalo plaid stamp. This tutorial even shows you how to make the stamp yourself using mounting foam or foam tape.

Furry Monster Gift Bag

Throwing a party for a group of kids can be a lot of fun, and it's sure to be a blast with these furry monster gift bags! Choose a variety of different colored furs, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners, and let your imagination do the rest!

Lace Embellished Gift Bags

Gift bags that match the theme of your party or event are sure to attract attention for all the right reasons. When it comes to baby showers, bridal showers, and weddings, these classy lace embellished gift bags are beautiful and functional.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Treat Bags

Know a little boy that can't get enough of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? These gift bags use affordable items from the dollar store so you can make one or more on the cheap. Because there are so few supplies, these bags are fast to make too!

DIY Scrapbook Paper Gift Bag

Gift bags can be quite expensive, especially if you're looking for a special shape or size. Instead of spending money, dig through your scrapbook drawer and make your own paper gift bags! With eye-catching patterns and high-quality ribbon, no one will know that you made them yourself!

Metallic Gift Card Holder

Although this technically isn't a gift bag, many people love giving gift cards. Slipping gift cards into a greeting card is one way to do it, but why not spend a little extra time to create these cool metallic gift card holders that can be reused over and over again.

Embroidered Gift Bag

Whether you're hosting a dinner party during the holidays, or just because, it's always a great idea to add a personal touch to place settings. These gift bags are hand embroidered with the first initial of each guest, which is sure to make everyone feel welcome.

Chalkboard Canvas Bag

Chalkboard paint is gaining in popularity, especially when it comes to creating billboards and painting walls inside children's rooms. Did you know that you can paint fabric with chalkboard paint too? This cool project uses a canvas bag so you can take a new chalkboard statement with you every day.

Bottle Bag

Although this bottle bag does take a little sewing know-how, the finished product is sure to get used by the recipient again and again. In this example, the fabric was even custom ordered, further adding a personal touch to a usually impersonal item.

Donut Gift Bag

Tasty goodies are always a favorite party favor, but instead of handing out prepackaged candy, give out donut holes instead! This donut gift bag uses a printable donut template and food-safe cello bags to create a cute favor bag that guests won't forget anytime soon.

Watercolor Wine Gift Bags

Love tie-dyeing? Love the look of watercolor? Grab a pile of thick, natural-made white paper and some watercolor paints. Fold the papers and dip them in the dyes to create colorful patterns. Then, cut, glue, and tie the bags with a tasty bottle of wine tucked inside!

Old Book Gift Bags

Pages from old books make the perfect gift bag making supplies! Choose pages from a favorite novel to complement a party theme, or simply get rid of books you don't want by repurposing them. These gift bags can be further enhanced with stencils or stamps.

Pant Leg Wine Bags

Pant Leg Wine Bag

Who doesn't have an old pair of jeans lying around! These cool wine bags allow you to repurpose those jeans instead of throwing them in the garbage. Using burlap, twine, and fabric flowers, you can even make these pant leg wine bags look extremely decorative.

Confetti Favor Bags

Most people end up buying favor bags at the store because they are short on time. These bags are super easy and fast to make, so you can add a personal touch without setting aside an entire afternoon. Because they are so simple, even young children can help!

Stenciled Burlap Bags

Burlap is a popular fabric. It makes a great décor detail for rustic weddings, country themed kitchens, and little boys' birthday parties. These stenciled burlap favor bags are affordable, easy to make, and can be completely customized with the stencil and paint colors of your choice.

Strawberry Coin Purse

Although this cute strawberry bag is meant to be a coin purse, it would make an adorable favor bag as well! This project does take a little sewing know-how, but the instructions are clear enough that even a beginning seamstress can attempt this cute coin purse.

Kid-Decorated Gift Bags

Why spend all that time decorating gift bags when you can get your little ones to help! Assemble a pile of plain white paper gift bags, hand out art supplies, and let your kids go to work. These gift bags are especially great when giving gifts to parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Pom Pom Gift Bag

Pom-Pom Gift Bag

This project may call for felted wool balls, but pom-poms can just as easily be used. Glue the balls on the ends of the drawstrings or in decorative patterns on the bag itself. They make great favor bags, but they are great for storing craft items as well.

Clear Treat Bags

Professional treat bags with a peek-a-boo window may look impossible to make, but this tutorial makes it easy. You just need a couple of large hole punches, a bit of cardstock, and a bag of candy. Simply secure the candy in place with a stapler and decorate the bag, It's that easy!

Gift Bag with a Pocket

Most gifts come with a card. Unfortunately, that means that the recipient will likely have to rummage around in the gift bag in order to find it before they open their gift. This cool handmade gift bag has a front pocket so the greeting card is easy to find.

Ombre Glitter Gift Pouches

The ombre craze isn't just for hair! Using muslin or fabric pouches, you can create a couture ombre look with a little glue and glitter. This project can be customized by choosing different sized gift bags, as well as different colored glitters.

Lavender Sachet

Nothing is more calming than the scent of lavender. Give the gift of relaxation with these lavender sachets. They are hand stitched and contain a pouch of fresh lavender, but the lavender can easily be removed so the gift bag can be reused.

Felt Gift Bags

Felt is a great craft item, and no crafting arsenal is complete without it. If you've got some old felt lying around, give these felt gift bags a try. They are fairly easy to make, as long as you have a sewing machine handy, and the colors can easily be changed to suit any occasion.

Drawstring Pouch

Drawstring pouches are a great way to hide away small items, like jewelry, but they also make great gift bags! These cute pouches are a great way to use up leftover fabric remnants that aren't big enough for other projects.

Glitter Confetti Bags

Everything's better with a little glitter! These cool glitter confetti bags use basic glitter confetti to dress up boring old paper gift bags. The trick is applying another coat of Mod Podge over the confetti when you're done to ensure that it doesn't come off.

Unique Drawstring Pouch

Drawstring pouches are reasonably easy to come by, but you aren't likely to have ever seen a drawstring pouch quite like this one. Because it is made out of leather scraps, it's a great way to give gifts or party favors to men.

Structured Fabric Gift Bag

This fabric gift bag is a great way to package a gift without the traditional look of a gift bag or wrapping paper. Because buckram is sandwiched between the fabric panels, this gift bag is well structured and sturdy, so it can be reused again and again.

(Read this next: 65 Best DIY Christmas Gifts)