How to Make
Hand-Painted Gift Bags

contributed by the Flipflop and Applesauce Parenting Blog

When I first saw this art project idea to make unique gift bags, I thought it would be a great way for children to prepare for Christmas gift-giving. But these homemade bags are appealing for almost all special occasions, so you could try this with your kids at any time.

The project demonstrators had a fun time, so I'm told - and so did Mom. The supplies you need for this art project are things you might already have around; if not, they aren't very expensive. Preparation is pretty simple, which means clean up can also be streamlined and efficient.

Red tempera paint on a wet
sponge is our stamp pad.

Hand-Painted Gift Bags

What You Will Need:

- plain gift bags
- one or two colors of washable tempera paint
- tissue paper
- plastic bottles
- sponge
- plate
- scissors

Supplies for Homemade Gift Tags:

To make tie-on gift tags, you will need small pieces of cardboard, a paper punch, and paint or a small piece of patterned paper

To make window gift tags, you will need an adult (to use an exacto knife), plus tape and patterned paper

Craft Project Instructions:

1. Lay the bags on your work surface. Place the sponge on a plate and pour a generous splotch of paint over top to make a stamp pad.

2. Dip the bottom of the plastic bottle into the paint, then use it to stamp a circle design on the gift bag.

3. Change the paint color, if desired, then turn the bottle over and begin stamping small circles using the bottle cap.Make a Gift Tag

You can choose to make a cardboard gift tag, or to cut an opening in the bag to make a little covered window gift tag area.

Cardboard Gift Tag
Cut a small piece of cardboard to use as a gift tag and glue patterned paper to the front, or paint it to match the bag. Paper punch a circle in one corner of the tag and tie it to the bag handles with some curling ribbon.

Window Opening Gift Tag
Have an adult use an exacto knife to cut a square opening in the side of the gift bag. Tape patterned paper inside the bag so that it covers the back of the window and shows through the opening. Use this area as a gift tag.

Fill Your Gift Bag

Fill the bag with tissue paper - and then you are ready to place a gift in your unique, hand-painted gift bag.

Thanks to the girls from Flipflop and Applesauce for showing us how to make these hand-painted bags!

If you liked this project, you might also like to learn How to Recycle Gift Bags or Make Your Own Gift Bags with decorative paper.

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