Step 1
When you want to make a bag out of wrapping paper, lay your gift on your roll of wrapping paper.
Cut a length of paper the length of your gift plus about 20cm, or more if your gift is especially wide, as you will then need an extra length of paper to make your bag wider.
Step 2
Fold both sides of paper in towards the centre, so that they overlap a little in the middle.
These two folds determine the width of your bag, so its a good idea to keep your gift in the centre while you check the bag will be wide enough for it. Use tape to stick the two flaps together.
Step 3
Fold the bottom of the bag up. The width of this fold determines the size of the bottom of the bag, so if you have a very wide gift, make your fold bigger.
Step 4
Keeping the bottom flap folded up, open it out so you can see the paper inside, then fold the flap on either side to make two triangles sitting across the fold line
Step 5
Do the same on the other side of the bottom fold, so you have two neat triangles sitting on either side of the fold line.
Step 6
Fold the top panel in, so that the cut edge is sitting just below the fold line.
Step 7
Do the same with the bottom panel, so the cut edge is sitting just above the fold line, and the two folded panels are overlapping very slightly.
Step 8
You’ve made the bottom of your gift bag! Secure along all the folds with sticky tape to give the base structure.
Top tip: You can make it even more stable by inserting a bit of cardboard the same shape as the bottom of the bag inside, too.
Step 9
Open out the gift bag and insert your gift inside.
Step 10
Fold the top flap of your gift bag over so that the gift is concealed inside. It’s best to leave a bit of space above the gift before you fold, as folding too close to the gift can warp the shape of your bag.
Step 11
If you have any overhanging bits of paper where you can see the back of the paper after you have made your top fold, trim these off for a neater finish.
Step 12
Use a hole punch to punch through the two layers in the centre top edge of your bag, insert a length of ribbon through the holes and tie in a bow to secure your gift inside the bag.
Step 13
Alternatively, punch two holes offset from the centre of the top edge of the bag, and thread a length of ribbon through both before tying the bow for a different decorative finish.
