How to Make a Bag With Wrapping Paper: DIY Steps

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Gift wrapping professional, Wrapped by Carrie, walks us through this DIY gift bag step by step

Co-authored by Wrapped by Carrie and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Making a DIY Gift Bag
|
• Customizing the Gift Bag
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• Alternate Wrapping Methods
|
• Video
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• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

If you have an oddly-shaped gift but don’t have a box or bag for it yet, just take out your favorite roll of wrapping paper! Making a gift bag with basic wrapping paper is really simple and only takes a few minutes to do. wikiHow even spoke to a gift wrapping professional to learn the step-by-step instructions for a custom gift bag, plus some fun ways to decorate and wrap presents.

Wrapping Paper Gift Bag Steps (Pictures)

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Gift wrapping professional Wrapped by Carrie shares these steps with us on how to make a DIY gift bag out of just wrapping paper and tape:

1. Wrap the paper around the gift so it overlaps and is longer than the item.
2. Fold the paper into thirds toward the middle and tape the seam.
3. Fold the bottom of the paper up by about 4 inches (10 cm) and crease.
4. Fold in the edges of the last fold to make triangular shapes.
5. Fold the top and bottom edges of the folded area toward the center and tape.
6. Slide the item into the bag.
7. Fold the top down and tie a ribbon through it.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Make a Bag Out of Wrapping Paper

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1. 
   1
   Measure the wrapping paper by loosely folding it around the gift. Wrapped by Carrie recommends starting off by laying the wrapping paper with the design face down, setting your item on the wrapping paper, and wrapping it around the gift. She says, “Make sure the paper overlaps by about 2 inches (5.1 cm) and the paper is at least 6 inches (15 cm) longer than the gift.” When you have your measurements, cut the paper with a pair of scissors.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Wrapped by Carrie is a Gift Wrapping Professional who was a contestant on season 2 of QVC’s The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge.

   Amy Guerrero is an arts and crafts specialist with over 15 years of design experience and a specialization in macrame, DIY crafting, and fiber arts.
2. 
   2
   Fold the wrapping paper into thirds and tape it. Next, Wrapped by Carrie says to remove the gift and fold the sides of the paper toward the middle. When they sides are partially overlapping in the middle, apply a clear piece of tape to secure them together.
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3. 
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   Bring the bottom edge up to set the width of the bag. Wrapped by Carrie advises that you fold the bottom edge up 4 inches (10 cm) so you have enough space for the gift in your bag. If you have a larger gift, bring the fold up higher. For a smaller gift, drop the fold lower. Press down along the fold to crease the wrapping paper.
4. 
   4
   Crease the sides of the bottom edge to form a diamond. Undo the fold you just made so it’s at a 90-degree angle to the paper. Slide your finger between the paper. Use your other hand to push the left edge in, and flatten it down so it makes a triangle shape. Then, repeat the process for the right edge.

   • When you’re finished, the bottom of the bag will look like a diamond, or a rectangle with 2 triangles on the sides.
5. 
   5
   Fold in the top and bottom of the diamond and tape to secure. To complete the bag, Wrapped by Carrie says to take the top edge of the folded area and bring it down to the center of the triangles. Then, take the bottom edge and fold it up so it slightly overlaps the other side. Tape all of the seams to secure the bag.

   • Flip the bag over and carefully open it up.
   • Cut a small piece of cardboard to put inside the bottom of the bag if you want a little extra reinforcement.
6. 
   6
   Put your gift in the bag and seal the top with ribbons. Wrapped by Carrie says to then slide your gift inside, and fold the top down nicely with smooth creases. For extra flair, she recommends punching 2 holes in the top fold, threading a ribbon through them, and tying a bow to finish it off.

   • If you don’t want to tie a bow, just tape or staple the fold so it doesn’t open up.
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Section 2 of 3:

Customizing Your Wrapping Paper Gift Bag

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1. 
   1
   Stick a bow or pom poms onto the bag. When you want a little extra flair or pops of color on your gift bag, arts and crafts specialist Amy Guerrero recommends applying pom poms in random places or around the edge of the bag. You can also use a bow with extra ribbon stick it on with an adhesive back, says Guerrero.
2. 
   2
   Add handles to the bag so it’s easier to carry. Use a hole punch to make 2 holes near the top of each long side of the bag. Cut 2 lengths of thick ribbon that are about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long. Feed the ends of the ribbon through the holes on one side and tie large knots to secure them. Repeat the process on the other side to finish making the handles.

   • Making handles works best on thicker wrapping paper or lightweight gifts that are less likely to rip.
   • You may try reinforcing the holes by putting a layer of tape around them.
3. 
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   Decorate the wrapping paper with rhinestones or glitter. When you want to give your present a little sparkle, Wrapped by Carrie recommends using peel-and-stick rhinestones. Simply take the backing off the gems and stick them onto the bag wherever you want. If you’d rather use glitter, cover an area with a glue stick and sprinkle the glitter on.
4. 
   4
   Cut a slot in the bag to add fresh flowers. If you want some greenery to decorate the bag, Wrapped by Carrie suggests cutting 2 small horizontal slits in the front. Then, tuck the stems of the flowers through the slots so they stay in place and add a pop of color and a fresh floral scent to your gift.

   • If you don’t want to use fresh or foraged flowers, artificial silk flowers are just as pretty!
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Section 3 of 3:

Alternate Methods for Hard-to-Wrap Gifts

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1. 
   1
   Wrap cylindrical gifts like a piece of candy with tissue paper. If you’re wrapping a cylindrical gift like a candle, Wrapped by Carrie recommends the “Tootsie Roll” method. Lay the item on its side, and wrap a large piece of tissue paper around it so there’s about 4 inches (10 cm) hanging off the ends. Twist the ends of the tissue paper and tie ribbons around them so the ends flare out like a candy wrapper.

   • For even more flair, Wrapped by Carrie suggests using a layer of wrapping paper around the gift, leaving the flared ends exposed.
2. 
   2
   Create a wrapping paper envelope for loose clothes. If you’re wrapping clothes like a shirt or sweater, Wrapped by Carries recommends first folding the item nicely. She says to lay the item face down on a sheet of wrapping paper, and then pull the paper over the top of the item. Remove the item, and then fold the long sides in by about ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm). Pull the bottom of the paper up ¾ of the way and tape the sides together to form a pouch.

   • Then, just insert the clothes into the pouch, fold the top over, and tape it closed!
3. 
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   Put the item in an old box for an easier wrap job. Wrapped by Carrie notes that boxes are much easier to wrap than loose items, so pull out an old shoe box, shipping box, or even a snack box if you have one. When you wrap a box, she says to wrap the paper around the box and add 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm). Make sure there’s enough paper on the ends to reach up ¾ on the sides of the box. Then, cut the paper, fold it against the sides, and tape it.
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Things You'll Need

• Wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Tape or glue
• Hole punch (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)
• Gift tag (optional)
• Bow or pom poms (optional)