Small Paper Gift Bags

These small paper gift bags are the perfect size for a gift card, folded cash, or any small gift.

They are very easy to make using a business size envelope. You can get 2 gift bags from one envelope.

You could also use a regular size envelope, but you would only have 1 bag.

It is easy to create several of these bags while you are making them, and it is nice to have some on hand when you need a bag in a hurry.

What you need:

Business size envelope (4 1/8 inches x 9 1/2 inches)

Rubber stamp for design

Ink pad of desired color

Decorative edge scissors

Paper punch

Small piece of ribbon

What you do:

1. Seal the envelope all the way to the corners, using glue or double sided tape if necessary.

2. Find the center of the envelope and draw a very light line with a pencil.

3. Use the decorative edge scissors to cut across the envelope on the pencil line.

4. Stamp your design all over the front of the envelope. You can stamp the back, too, if you like, but I don't.

5. The decorative edge is the top. Mark down 1 inch from the top and score across. Fold to the back.

Or you could fold the decorative edge to the front for an attractive look.

6. Find the center of the top and punch a hole on each side of the center, punching through the folded edge, too.

7. After you have added your gift, thread the ribbon through the holes with the ends in front and tie a bow.

Variation 1 of the small paper gift bags

After step 3 (above), instead of using a rubber stamp, I used a piece of crumpled paper which I patted on the ink pad and then lightly patted all over the bag.

For the top, I cut a piece of designer paper 2 inches by 4 inches (the width of the bag). I scored across the center long wise and folded it.

Place it over the top of the bag. Find the center and punch a hole on either side.

To close the bag, place the designer piece over the top and thread the ribbon through all the layers, across the back, and to the front again. Tie a bow.

Variation 2 of small paper gift bags

For this bag I didn't fold down the top edge. Instead of stamping I used a strip of designer paper and a paper flower to embellish it.

Tips

You can use stickers, photos, designer paper, or even have your kids color your bags instead of stamping them.

Instead of ribbon use twine, yarn, or string to tie the bag shut.

If you don't have decorative edge scissors, you can use regular ones. With the top edge folded to the back, it will not be noticed.

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