Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by Packoi Team
Some people would choose to use gift bags. Other people would use gift wrapping paper before giving their presents.
While both of these will make the recipient appreciate your effort, using a gift bag may be more convenient and practical.
In this article, you’ll learn the different reasons why you should opt for gift bags instead of wrapping gifts.
Avid gift-givers know the importance of choosing the right packaging for presents. It’s not just about showing off.
Part of the excitement of receiving gifts is the opening. It’s like the unboxing experience when you buy something.
You want to make sure the recipient will feel the anticipation. As it builds up, they’ll feel more positive about the gift they received.
But here’s the thing. Which of the two do you think will give the most satisfying “unboxing” experience?
Gift bags or wrapping paper?
A gift bag is like a paper bag that can be plain or printed and decorated with ribbons and tags.
A gift wrapper is a type of paper used in wrapping presents. It’s ideal for boxed gifts. Wrapping paper can have festive prints on it, or it could be plain and decorated with ribbons as well.
Both of these are acceptable when giving gifts – but you might want to consider using gift bags more.
What makes gift bags better than wrapped gifts? Both of them will look good anyway. Wrapping paper comes in different colors, prints, and patterns. If you want to use the plain ones, you can add ribbons and other accessories to them to make them more festive.
The same is true for gift bags. You can buy bags with different designs. You can also add ribbons and tags as well.
Despite these similarities, some people still think that using a gift bag is better than taking the time to wrap presents.
Here are 4 reasons why this is true.
Think about this scenario. It’s the holiday season. You’re busy keeping up with the work you must finish before offices close for the season. Even if you only have weekends to buy the gifts, how will you get them ready and under the Christmas tree in time?
You won’t have enough time to gift wrap all the Christmas presents individually.
Fortunately, there’s a solution to that.
You can use gift bags. There are bags designed specifically for the holiday season. You can also choose simplicity by buying red or green paper bags and adding ribbons.
You simply have to put your gift in, tape the bag close, add a gift tag, and you’re ready to give your gift.
Wrapping presents isn’t as simple as cutting paper, folding it around the gift, taping it securely, and then adding ribbons.
If you want to impress the recipient with your gift, you need some impressive wrapping skills. Unfortunately, not everyone is gifted with a creative mind. Sure, you’ve got a lot of inspiration coming from Pinterest.
But can you implement what you see online?
You’ll have to do intricate folds and add accessories. If you have the time to do it, maybe you can make it look like what you saw online. If not, then it might make your gift look funny.
Instead of taking a chance to gift wrap your presents, just use a bag. Get a well-designed paper bag and put your gift inside. It won’t require a lot of skills to do.
Gift bags are more sustainable than wrapping your presents.
First of all, it doesn’t require a lot of materials. Wrapped gifts usually start with box packaging. Then you get wrapping paper that’s secured by tape, ribbons, and all sorts of materials.
Using a gift bag wouldn’t require you to use many materials. Some bags won’t even need tape or a ribbon to close. The straps can be used to close the bag. If you want to make it look fancy, you can just add tissue paper. That’s it.
The only way to open a gift wrap is to tear off the paper and everything else that comes with it. Most of the time, everything but the gift is thrown away.
That’s a lot of waste.
But with a gift bag, it doesn’t have to be thrown away immediately after they’ve taken out the gift inside. As long as the bag is opened carefully and there are no marks on it, recipients can choose to reuse it. This will save them both time and money in the long run.
You’ve just done them a huge favor – and it’s also good for the environment.
The benefits of using a bag won’t eliminate the fact that a wrapped gift is completely unnecessary. There are times when it’s more practical to gift wrap your present.
For instance, if the gift boxes are too bulky, they might not fit a regular-sized paper bag. Instead of searching for a bigger bag, you might have just to gift wrap it.
In case the gift is fragile, it’s usually best to put them in a box first before wrapping them. This will give the present an extra layer of protection. If it ensures that the recipient will receive the wrapped gifts in good condition, then the effort should be worth it.
Finally, if the present recipient is a child, just wrap gifts for them. They take joy in tearing out the paper and finding the surprise inside. Don’t rob them of the unwrapping experience.
Just as there are instances when wrapping presents is the best option, there are also reasons why the gift bag route should be considered.
There are a few factors that’ll confirm this. Here are some of them.
If your gift is clothes or any fabric, it’s better to use a paper bag than to wrap it in paper. If you use wrapping paper, you must use a box to put the clothes in. That’s the only way to wrap it and make it look good.
This is why using a paper bag is the better option. There’s no need to use a box. Maybe you can wrap the present in tissue paper to protect the fabric and then put it in a gift bag. You’ll still save on the cost of making your gift look presentable.
This is just the same as the clothes. If your presentation has an odd shape and won’t fit in a box, don’t make it complicated for yourself.
Just use gift bags instead of trying to find a box to fit the present in and then wrapping it up with paper. It’s a simple thing just to put it inside a bag.
It’s also okay to use gift bags if your gift is something edible. Usually, edible presents must be refrigerated to ensure they don’t spoil.
This means they can only be packaged right before giving them away. It’ll be easier to do that when all you have to do is just put them in a bag, and then it’s ready to be gifted.
There are many types of gift bags to choose from. How will you know which one is the right option for you?
If the present is a personal gift to someone you know, then you just have to consider your taste and the recipient’s preference. You can be as bold, fun, extravagant, or simple in the bag of your choice.
But if you’re doing this on behalf of your business or brand, then you need to consider the type of image that you want to build. What reputation are you trying to uphold? Of course, you want to consider the taste of the recipient. However, the bag should represent your brand as well.
That means you have to make sure your gift bag looks presentable. Use tissue paper to make it look fancy. Add a branded ribbon or tag.
Give the recipient an “unboxing” experience through your gift.
When it comes to choosing the right gift bags for your presents, you need to be careful when selecting the design and material of the bag.
Your choice will influence how the recipient will feel about your gift.
If you want to make it count, make sure you know what your options are. Packoi Printing is ready with samples and options for you to choose from.
Get in touch with us so you can find the perfect gift bag. Call us, and we’ll get back to you with a fair quotation soon.
Priscilla Greene | October 24, 2020
It’s no secret that everyone loves receiving gifts from their loved ones. This simple gesture is fulfilling on both a material and a spiritual level, but what can we make out of all the bags that get left behind?
In this article, we will discuss ten crafty ideas on how to reuse gift bags that are creative, entertaining, and beneficial for the environment at the same time.
What better way to reuse old gift bags than by having them come full circle and becoming wrapping paper? To do this, simply remove the handles and go to town. This works best with a gift bag made from thin paper. If you find that the material is too plain for your liking, try gluing tiny decorations onto it, such as the pompoms pictured above.
Another top choice on our list on how to reuse gift bags has to do with repurposing them for shopping and groceries. The next time you hit stores, bring your own reusable shopping bags instead of asking the cashier for one, which is incredibly wasteful. Why hoard tens of plastic bags in your home when you can easily avoid that and help the planet in the process as well.
Gift bags have the incredible advantage of being a lot sturdier than your traditional plastic alternative as well, which is a huge bonus. Many of them are made from materials that stand the test of time, such as canvas or jute. If you have a day of heavy spending planned ahead, it is advisable to bring a tote that is resistant and won’t break in the middle of your errand run.
Making DIY book covers from gift bags is another clever way to teach your family a lesson in sustainability. It reduces both paper and plastic waste, as you are repurposing another item while avoiding the purchase of plastic-made goods as well. Choose gift bags with fun prints made from denser materials to achieve the best possible results
Any remarkable birthday gift needs the right greeting card to accompany it. Instead of spending hours in the shop trying to decide on one, why not make your own? Gift bags are the ideal resource for this DIY project, as they come in a wide variety of celebratory colors and patterns. Plus, you will get to write a heartfelt message inside, which is bound to make an impression.
Gift bags of all shapes, sizes, and colors provide innovative replacements for wall décor. Cut out your very own exuberant and exclusive designs from them and stick them on or use the bags to produce one of a kind picture frames. With a little bit of imagination and a lot of patience, you will manage to add a distinct touch to your home.
Speaking of origami, why not turn old paper totes into fun decorations for your home? Start with beginner-friendly designs, such as the tulip, the boat, the fan, or the ever so popular crane, then move your way up towards more intricate ornaments. Use vivid colors and unique prints to bring some brightness into your home.
Coasters are another example of how to reuse gift bags in order to create something new. However, you should refrain from using paper or cardboard ones, as they are incredibly susceptible to water damage. Jute totes are a great alternative in this situation, as the bushy and fibrous wooden material is durable and sturdy.
Polypropylene is another common material for such bags that is water-resistant, which makes it a wonderful resource for your DIY coaster project. If you find that the resulting items are too thin for your liking, glue multiple pieces of the bag together until the desired girth is reached.
Next in the discussion on how to reuse gift bags, paper ones to be more exact, as envelopes. There are three main types you can create, namely pouch envelopes, taped envelopes, or origami envelopes. Depending on the result you want to accomplish, techniques will vary. Of course, pouches are the easiest to make at home.
All you need to do is a square or rectangular piece of the gift bag, along with some glue. Glue two of the open ends together, leaving the one on the top exposed. Create a flap, stick the letter or card in, then secure accordingly. Taped envelopes require a lot of folding, as do origami ones, but if you’re in the market for an intricate DIY project, they are worth looking into.
Do you have a lot of loose magazines and newspapers lying around the house? If the answer is yes, then you might be in dire need of a method to organize them all and keep the living area neat and tidy. Old gift bags are perfect for this. Simply take out their handles and organize the publications by year, genre, or whatever else tickles your fancy.
Scrapbooking is an irreplaceable way to preserve important memories and capture but a morsel of the incredible feelings and emotions behind any special event. By putting together photographs, drawings, clippings, journal entries, and other meaningful paraphernalia, your album can become a world in its own.
To decorate this homage to your personal history in a modern and inventive way, use pieces of paper and fabric repurposed from old gift bags. They will look pretty and mark a notable moment exquisitely without creating any paper or plastic waste. Furthermore, this practice is beneficial to you and the environment simultaneously too.
If you have gift bags that you’d like to use as pieces of a gallery at home, there’s noting simpler than that. You’ll just need the gift bags, a pack of stretched canvas for the frame, and faux leather or felt to turn into frame.
Wrap the canvas into the leather and fix everything into place, then stick the gift bag scrap on the makeshift frame. The resulting piece can look better even than what you can buy in an art and craft store.
Watch the tutorial below and see for yourself how simple it is to turn those cute gift bags into a nice gallery wall at home. Your family and friends will be impressed.
You can repurpose a gift bag with beautiful designs by turning it into a hardcover for your journal. It takes a bit more effort and patience than the DIY book cover mentioned earlier, but the result is well worth it.
You’ll need glue, tape, two pieces of chipboard, and, of course, an old gift bag. Watch the tutorial below on how to do it at 30 minutes, it is a bit lengthy, though).
Another way to give your old gift bags new life is turning them into splendid gift boxes. The great thing about these boxes is that they are made by you and unique as there are no two looing the same.
In the tutorial below you learn how to turn Christmas greeting cards into petite gift boxes, but the process can be replicated with gift bags or gift bag leftovers too.
The good news about these crafts is that they can be monetized if they look really awesome. Another big plus is that they perfectly accommodate small Christmas stocking stuffers and will help you save bing on expensive gift wrap.
Check out this article by Tote Bag Factory about the wastefulness of holiday wrapping paper and some cool and perfectly doable alternatives.
Gift bags can be easily turned into makeshift seed-starting cups. Many DIY tutorials online use newspaper as it is biodegradable, but for a sturdier alternative you can swap the newspaper with gift bag paper that you no longer need.
A big bonus is that you can easily turn paper into a square seedling pot without being an expert in origami (the Japanese art of folding paper). What’s more, unlike commercial planters, paper seedling pots can be as spacious as you make them to. So, you don’t have to worry about your tiny plants outgrowing them before the time to plant them has come.
Unlike newspaper seed-starting cups, the gift bag ones should not go into the ground along with the seedling. The dyes and laminated parts of a gift bag make them less biodegradable and less healthy for the soil than your average newspaper. Check out the tutorial below on how to make the pots.
Why shelling out extra cash for confetti when you have confetti at home under the guise of a pile of old gift bags. Use a paper shredder to turn the bags into colorful pieces that you can safely use for months o come. The same hack can be applied on gift wrap too. Staying green and zero-waste has never been easier.
Cut the gift bag paper into squares, circles and any other form that you might fancy in order to turn them into name tags that you can use on next Christmas’ gifts. You’ll need a hole punch to make the tiny gap that the ribbon will go through look more professional. If you don’t have ribbon, you can use string as well.
With the right glue and amount of patience, you can repurpose your old gift bags as DIY Christmas paper chains which you can use to decorate your home or Christmas tree next year.
hy spending your heard earned cash on new Christmas decorations when you can have the raw materials to make new one just under your nose? Many of our grandmothers (and great grandmothers) use to repurpose everything they could turn into something useful.
Just remember those drawers lined with magazines or scrapbook paper. Pretty old school, right? Yes, but insanely environmentally friendly.
These beautiful accordion medallion paper ornaments for the Christmas tree are both eco- and budget-friendly. Here’s a tutorial on how to make them. They are not as daunting as they might seem.
Another popular paper Christmas decoration that you can make from old gift bags is the woven paper ball garland. This decoration however can be used year-round including for birthday parties if the paper is not Christmas themed.
The best paper for this is the non-shiny one, but with a bit of ambition you can weave the laminated one too. Just make sure that it doesn’t come with needless textures. Here’s how to do it.
Who says that old gift bags have to go to waste? With the help of the twenty ideas presented above, you will make the most out of any tote you receive, regardless of the material it is made of. Paper and cardboard are the most resourceful, but you can always make do with canvas, jute, and polypropylene as well.