This conversation is sponsored by Cost Plus World Market.

Retail therapy. It’s a real thing…

It helps that we’ve entered into the holiday season when purchases and spending are a teeny tiny bit more easy to justify, because I’ve found myself wandering the isles of my favorite stores a bit too often.

I have more gifts than gift wrap sot his past week, I stocked up on holiday wrap and gift bags at one of my favorite haunts – World Market.

I *think* I’ve purchased enough supplies to get me through Christmas, but I always seem to be missing a box or bag and the most inopportune time. Today I am sharing how to make a DIY gift bag out of wrapping paper so you’re covered whether you run low like I often do, OR if you’re just obsessive compulsive when it comes to matching gifts under the tree.

How to Make DIY Gift Bags

Supplies:
Wrapping paper (I found some great options at World Market).
Craft Mat
Xacto, Scissors or Rotary Cutter
Ruler
Adhesive (I used my favorite hot glue gun)
Optional:
Bone folder
I also picked up some fun gift tags at World Market, because they were simply adorable (hello, glitter!).

In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make a medium-sized gift bag. You can make a larger or smaller bag just by adjusting the measurements accordingly.

I cannot cut a straight line with scissors. I like to work on a craft mat so that I can use a rotary cutter. In the past I’ve talked about how much I love this mat made by Fiskars. I use one side for my sewing projects and one side for crafting. It’s perfect for this project!

Trim a piece of gift wrap to 24x 14.

I unrolled the gift wrap on the craft mat and used my acrylic quilting ruler as a guide. It worked super well because I could see where I was lining things up…

Fold the left edge of the paper over 1/2 an inch. I like to use a bone folder for a nice crisp fold and fortunately they’re really inexpensive.

Measure four inches from the folded edge of your paper and fold the right side.

Fold the wrapping paper from the new fold to the folded edge creating a two inch “mountain” on either side.

The finished fold will look like this.

Measure 7 3/4 inches from the last fold and create another fold.

Measure four inches and fold. Crease in between the two new folds to create a second two inch mountain.

Fold the bottom edge up three inches.

Create a slit in the paper on either side of the two inch mountains.

Run a line of glue on the 1/2 inch edge. Fold the right edge of the paper over and press the edges together. Fold in the side flaps of the bottom followed by the two larger flaps. Secure with glue.

I like to use a glue gun simply because it holds better than anything else.

Your bag is done!

I embellished my medium bag with ribbon handles reinforced with eyelets, which hold pretty well. However you can leave the bag open, secure with washi tape…There are loads of finishing options.

Be sure to bookmark this post. It will likely come in handy in about one week 🙂