10 Genius Hacks to Transform Your Old Christmas Gift Bags 🎁✨

[@jensingerlady]

Decoupaging the circle was cool. I would use it for making flat wood tree ornaments. Also, loved the envelope and card idea.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@AWanderingEye]

The brown paper bag made me think of gingerbread so if you have any of that space filler paper from packages, take it, flatten it out and cut out little people (make sure to have the hand on a fold so they stay strung together). Then you can use some white puffy paint (the brown paper ought to be thick enough to withstand it) if not, use one of the $tree white markers which are kind of waxy to add your details. Alternatively, use fine point markers in black and red to "decorate" them. Could even cut out clothing from a decorated gift bag (like you would for paper dolls) and glue those on. Use some of the handle strings to add trim and you have a 3d effect.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

What a great idea!

[@sylviajones4907]

Brilliant! Thank you. Wish I had seen these when I was still teaching Second Grade. So economical! The streamer of triangles is so pretty & would make them so proud of what they created for all to see.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You're very welcome!

[@Blessedgirl1955]

Brilliant ideas! I am so glad you posted this because now that my grandchildren are older and only want gift cards, I have bags I needed to do something with and you gave me so many ideas, thank you!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@AWanderingEye]

Yes, you can make a gift card holder with one panel and make a custom envelope with the other!

[@brendasidmore2731]

Nice ideas! The banner would look so much better if you had glued the triangles onto some cardstock so they wouldn't curl up or you could have added clear contact paper to make them sturdier.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea!

[@heidievans2836]

I loved these ideas! The bookmark was my favorite! 😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Yay! Thank you!

[@alanbirkner1958]

I've been using old HWY maps for wrapping paper. Then yarn or twine for ribbon. The gift bags get used to death, then become cards or tags. Thanks for more great ideas. Tina, Al's wife

[@veronicatampus4856]

What a brilliant idea of recycling gift bags instead of just throwing them away. Thank you so much and I love watching your videos. I've learned so much from you.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@TJSawyer]

I’ve framed Christmas cards for years. If you receive a card that appeals to you, keep it, frame it and set out next year as beautiful Christmas decor.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

That's a great idea!

[@soysan34]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful repurpose great ideas! Now I wish I had kept mine from garage sale when I was moving, darn, lol! I very rarely by new items because of my beliefs that entirely too much is wasted these days. I just finished 2 16x20 framed dollar Tree bags and easily save $50 or more! It was a bit of a challenge making a custom mat but my husband even got involved so we both have appreciation and awe of our one of kind beautiful Christmas art! Now you have given me even more ideas, thanks again!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Fun project🎄

[@jenniferfriedlander2159]

Great idea, never would’ve thought to use gift bags like that

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MispelledOnPurpose]

You gave a lot of great general crafting tips. Id never seen the packing tape trick. I love the bookmarks and garlands ideas, those will be good for other celebrations too.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@donnadevries-hestand1659]

@@OurUpcycledLife What about using the plain part of the bag used for bookmarks as the back? Still attractive and you can make 4.

[@NoOneUKnow-c3y]

I really love how you made the card and envelope. I am going to do that for my grandson. I am always trying to find creative things to send him.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Excellent glad to inspire

[@pamboomer2387]

I loved your upcycled ideas❤❤ I have lots of other paper bags from stores that I can recycle into things. I would also take the brown paper bag and add a picture of Santa or even a card or wallpaper flower to make a birthday gift bag 🎉

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Wonderful!

[@diannekruger8735]

I like most of these but I love the bookmark idea. I never thought about using packing tape to make them sturdier and glossier.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@51andhappy44]

I like this tip too. I’ve made bookmarks before with clear contact paper but never thought to use tape.

[@toughtimes6596]

I would love to see your craft storage, especially the stash part. I have so much and really need to organize it before I earn the name Horder instead of crafter 🤣 Brilliant ideas 💞

[@wonderlove4515]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm clearing out and have found tons of items that can be use for crafting. But how to store all of it and find it?

[@geralyncurtis1533]

Me too!!! I second that!!

[@2KITTIES-CLRR]

@@geralyncurtis1533 Can I possibly third AND fourth that ? I am a crafty person who's into so many crafts. Sometimes I start on one and put it down for awhile. Most times I will finish the craft after about a year, though. But, I do have a few that are like two or three years old which need completing. I also have many supplies for doing different crafts that I probably just need to get rid of, somehow. 😉😄❣️

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea! I’ll do a tour

[@2KITTIES-CLRR]

@@OurUpcycledLife TYSM for doing that when you can. 😉

[@elizabethviscusi923]

I loved how to make your own card & matching envelope! All your crafts were very nice! TFS & God Bless Jesus is the Reason for the season...

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@beebuzz959]

I use my bags for gifts, and don't have too many extras. But when one gets torn or wrinkled, I'll keep these ideas in mind. But the idea where you used a bag like wrapping paper, you can make bags out of extra paper, or even some of these tips too, as well. But it seems like a waste to take a good bag and not donate it, just do this with the extras that can't be used for gifts. Also, that's a great idea to thin out paper, but make sure it's worth it! That thick tape isn't cheap, plus it's plastic that can't be reused, unless you can think of an idea for it.

[@ezpzeee]

IDEA: Anything can be set aside and used as material or a "core" for sculptures... using paper-mache, air dry clay, and even cement!

[@corricatt]

I loved the placemat idea..

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Me too

[@jillbarry922]

Thanks for sharing your creativity with us. Loved the Santa picture. Envelopes, placemats.i guess I am having a lot of faves. Thanks once again! New fan from Canada.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@Chichi-eg2nh]

I've framed some really beautiful winter or seasonal shopping bags to hang in my bathroom or kitchen which I decorate seasonally.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea!!

[@Moni-T-V]

They're all so cute 😍

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks 😊

[@rimabohsali6276]

the book mark and snow flakes

[@tinalongano8849]

Love your beautiful envelopes 💌😉

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much!

[@risaandjesus]

I’ve been so busy w my life. Your video brought back memories when I was a teen and I love re-purposing stuffs and crafting. Thank u for this video

[@OurUpcycledLife]

So glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@donnashelley3939]

Brown paper bag snowflakes are my favorites.

[@peniandrews165]

amazing, I loved them all! have a blessed and safe week

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! You too!

[@louloufabrique]

Nice flips! Merci 😀

[@jayneschuetter5517]

I never ever thought of repurposing gift bags Thanks for your crafty and creative ideas!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@sis9622]

Thank you for sharing

[@OurUpcycledLife]

My pleasure

[@dmcgill9360]

Love all of your ideas and creativity. Thank you ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@CCCC-lq7te]

Loved all of these ideas, thank you. ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@robinjackson5035]

I found so much inspiration from this. Thank you so much! Great video! ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@lorettayoung7220]

I love them all, especially the Santa on the wood circle. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎀✨

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Happy holidays!

[@debbiebreen6276]

A fantastic idea, I have hundreds of these xmas bags, now I know what to create from them, thankyou so much for showing us. xx

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@AWanderingEye]

Do I see a patchwork table cloth in your future (since the placemats won't use up many bags)...? You could make a template, cut out a bunch of pieches, and arrange them onto a pre-existing table cloth gluing them down with mod podge/white glue or the version she shows for super strong hold. Even a table runner would be a pretty thing if you cut the edges a la snowflakes....hmmm?

[@debbiebreen6276]

@@AWanderingEye I like the sound of that. xx

[@kathleendonnelly6077]

So many great ideas. Thank you! I just used my old gift bags as wrapping paper yesterday!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Wonderful!

[@martinjewiss1059]

Absolutely love this, thank you for sharing with us. Laura in UK

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@leeder1g]

All of them ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@dorilopez6421]

Me ha gustado mucho esté video, gracias por compartirlo

[@debbieboothe1290]

I love all the great ideas Thans.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks glad you enjoyed

[@diansolomon614]

I liked the old fashioned Santa you adhered to the circle of wood & using the sandpaper around it.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks glad you enjoyed

[@ireneread2491]

Loved the placemat idea!

[@teresaramos710]

Using gift bags for placemats Good idea.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed.

[@mrs.gonzalez291]

Gracias 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@lisak720]

All great ideas! Never realized how much can be upcycled with gift bags! Good way to save money as well! ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Absolutely!!

[@Crawfordrusticcreations]

Same!

[@roxannemalott7799]

I do like all of them

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@mariamanuelasilva5987]

Very good ideas..all of them😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much 😊

[@jacquelinemilton6387]

I love that old santa

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Me too!

[@KC-ku9dq]

I just reuse my gift bags to give gifts in them next Christmas. My family and I have been exchanging the same gift bags for years now.😅

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Love that!

[@lindagarza5726]

Great ideas 😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@leticiaespinosa3354]

Great ideas

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks 😊

[@finin4025]

I love ❤your ideas 👏👏

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@laurabucher6280]

Great ideas

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@Kathy-g3i]

You can make smaller gift bags by wrapping a box like a gift...just dont tape off one end and slide off of the box

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Yep Works great

[@Kathy-g3i]

I'm happy I came across your ideas..it's early, sorta kinda, but Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!! I will definitely be using the recycling...🥰🥰🥰

[@SonjaColeman-b9m]

they was very nice? you did awesome good work? thanks

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you too

[@ananeira8489]

Fantastic love them all❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much 😊

[@rea7203]

One year I made a storage case for my grand daughter's doll clothes using a pretty gift bag and cardboard.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

That's a great idea!

[@sandy_521lakestreet]

LOVE the envelope idea!!!!!!! Thank you for this video. Merry Christmas! Sandy

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@marywood8241]

I think this is so beautiful 🥰 Thank you for sharing this ❣️🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

Great ideas. 😊👍🏻 my favourites are the envelope and card, and the garland. 😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

you're welcome.

[@bjcave2756]

Love it

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@carolh8611]

Will be doing the frame🎉😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Excellent

[@lorraineophoff4984]

You have so many great ideas!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@KarytoNovedades]

I like

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@jeaninserra7436]

Love your idea's Where did you get that paper cutter?

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Micheals works great

[@dorothylehman4164]

Is the Santa Claus in the frame, cotton and Macon gift cards and making gift tags? I like that idea, I'm gonna get at my wrapping paper now and I'm gonna use my wrapping paper and make gift tags out of them I might even put them menmi craft show next year. That would be a cool idea in a little basket and sell him for 50 cents a piece. Thanks for the input

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@jennesskh]

I have made the placemats using my child’s drawings!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea

[@sylviak9808]

I liked your ideas, thank you for sharing. I already used a few of those ideas, but learned some more today :-) But I was concerned about wasting so much tape in the first project to take off a layer of white paper. Is that really necessary?

[@OurUpcycledLife]

No not necessary but might wrinkle a bit when you decoupage

[@sylviak9808]

@@OurUpcycledLife Thank you for that information. I will try and see if I am satisfied with the result. If not, I will use your method of stripping the bag from one layer of paper. However, again, lots of nice ideas 🙂 Also in your other videos, I just discovered your channel.

[@sarahpotts1200]

As a newbie I wonder what the roller is in no 1?

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It’s a special roller you can get to flatten paper, but you could also use a little rolling pin or a bottle

[@mariapatriciachavez214]

❤❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@tarynkriebel319]

I’m trying to repurpose an old four piece square canister set, but thought of a snowman but doesn’t look right, any ideas?

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Hmm I haven’t tried that. I always go to Pinterest for inspiration

[@cindyhenry1410]

This is BRILL! I have tons of gift bags (I can’t ever throw anything so pretty or cute away!!) including tons of brown ones. LOVE how you made that envelope!! My plan was to use some for journal covers 😊 or of course, pockets, tags, belly bands.....I could go on! Your channel name says it all and that is me!! You have a new subbie! (Michigan) TYFS!! Gonna check out more from you! ❤️🦋💜

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Welcome , happy to have you here. So glad you enjoyed 🎄

[@animalantics5898]

I was at a Yankee Swap and someone threw out a perfectly good gift bag. I saw it on the top and took it.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Excellent

[@territimmons8482]

What kind of iron is that!!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It’s my Cricut iron

[@geminidream4347]

I couldn't find the name of that glue.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It is beacon 123 glue

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It is beacon 123 glue

[@geminidream4347]

@@OurUpcycledLife Thank you. I could not find the 123 on Amazon but they do have a lot of 3 in 1. Would that be the same?

[@katielove9932]

The envelope idea was the best and the book marker technique. I didn't appreciate how you glorify Santa over Jesus for Christmas.

[@annabrahamson4320]

There is always time to praise Jesus, Santa is an example for us to live being generous, also teaching children to believe what they cannot see. Get over it, everyone is NOT you!

[@SD-nh5yr]

I love the tip how to get the extra thickness off the back of the bags, I never thought I could decoupage with them because the paper was to thick. Thank you, much appreciated!!❤❤❤🙏✌️

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@51andhappy44]

I like this tip too, but I would be the one that would accidentally destroy the paper!

[@alicechristian2980]

Very pretty TFS

[@megan2176]

So many great ideas!! I imagine your daughter got tons of gift bags for her new baby... how cool would it be if you shared baby themed crafts/decor for nurseries!! So many possibilities!! 👶❤

[@megan2176]

Oops, was it your son who has the new baby, not your daughter? Or both?? Babies galore! ❤❤❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It’s been busy here!! My son had baby in June and my daughter is due Jan 19th ❤️ 2 grand babies in 6 months

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Such a cool idea!

[@geralyncurtis1533]

@@OurUpcycledLife congratulations on the new baby!

[@rea7203]

​@@OurUpcycledLifenever can have too many grandbabies!!!😊❤

[@nancychannel8513]

The snowflakes reminded me of when my granddaughter and I made them and plastered every window with them. She had a ball

[@OurUpcycledLife]

So fun

[@kathyallen6238]

Loved your ideas. Two years ago, I framed shirt box lids with the little red truck in thrift store frames. I couldn't bear to throw out the box edges; I arranged scrabble tiles with HOPE, LOVE, PEACE, etc. as well as family names and even pet names. I added a ribbon as a hanger. People really enjoyed them.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea!!! 🎄

[@rea7203]

I did that too. I love the little red truck so I took the lid and added the tiny white foam beads or pellets (?) and white glitter and fake snow on the tires and other parts of the truck, trees-anywhere snow would collect...made some 'snow'' falling and made a picture of it. My daughter had no idea what I had done and had a fit over it. So I had to give it to her so she could put in her office at work. I love repurposing stuff .. it's so much fun to be resourceful and creative!!😊

[@nancy9478]

I love this

[@cassandrarodriguez2343]

❤❤❤❤❤ 0:26

[@devinabakshi8195]

That’s sooooooo cool. I wish I could see it though! 😮

[@kristalcuthill1338]

Thank you for the placemat idea! My kids would love that, and it will be so great for those huge bags I'll probably never use!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed

[@kristalcuthill1338]

I did end up doing character placemats out of big gift bags for Christmas, and they really liked them!

[@barblamoureux6826]

These are awesome ideas! I love the Christmas card and especially the Bookmarks! I've seen something similar and totally forgot about it and now I'm thinking of making personalized Bookmarks for my daughter's class. Hopefully I have time, been doing tons of crafting and still more to do for gifts!! 😂

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much!

[@ginarios9442]

I come in love (ANY BUA BHaB, in Hebrew). Christ-m-a-s is from ancient Babylonian worship of Nimrod and Semiramis, who are written of in the Tower of Babel testimony (Genesis) and also Semiramis is written of later in Scriptures, as the woman calling herself, "The Queen of heaven." Alexander Hislop wrote an excellent book called The Two Babylons or The Papal Worship: Proved to be the Worship of Nimrod and his Wife. // SHLM & HaB (peace & love). The Name of the Creator is Hayah asher Hayah, as what He told Moshah (Exodus 3:14), preserved in the Hebrew Scriptures. There is a curse to the G-o-d name (Isaiah 65:11-12), preserved in the Hebrew Scriptures. All followers of the Messiah are to do the 7 appointed times (Leviticus 23), but no more animal sacrifices, following the Crucifixion of the Messiah. We are now of the order of MLK TSDQ (King, righteous), to Whom ABRaHM tithed. Ask the Messiah to be your personal Savior. He said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). ...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Hayah (Romans 3:23). The wages for sin is death but the gift of ALaHYM is Everlasting Life through Messiah Yahushgh our Master (Romans 6:23). That if you confess with your mouth the Master Yahushgh and believe in your heart that ALaHYM raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:9). He Himself is an Atoning Offering for our sins, and not for ours only but also for all the world (1 John 2:2). The Messiah died on the cross, & Resurrected three days later (presenting Himself as First Fruits to the Father). Please ask Him to be your Savior. He is the ONLY way to Everlasting Life.

[@jtdw10]

Love this! Would be pretty on those pinecones too, and fake branch picks, to then put together into a snowy looking wreath! ❤

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

My craft store here in Spain has all Christmas gift bags for 20 cents now...! so I bought a bunch, now I want even more, lol

[@paulamcclure3402]

Fantastic craft projects for re-purposing holiday gift bags! Thank you for sharing these brilliant ideas. Your skills and craft gadgets are excellent as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🌟 🎅🕊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much 😊

[@nicolepoirier-wyss8728]

These are fantastic ideas and they appeal to the upcycler in me. You could also repurpose the really nice shopping bags that you get from some higher end stores by covering the logos with some of these pics or with some old Christmas cards, not the meaningful ones you get from friends and families (those I keep) but the that you receive from say, your insurance company or other service providers. Those can be gorgeous and I hate tossing them.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

What a great idea!!

[@MC.makeitmagical]

I love your book mark idea !! I am totally making my son a few tonight, he’s in first grade and would love them 😅

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Excellent glad to inspire

[@AWanderingEye]

Each winter, I just buy the largest one I can find and use it as door decoration! I swap out the handle with a beautiful ribbon, if it doesn't have any glitter or sequins I'll add those to dress it up. If you want you can make a ribbon harness of sorts and after cutting the two large panels attach the ribbon, drape it over the top edge of the door (works best with a closet door you don't open, or add some tape to secure the top edge) and you will have both side decorated. I loved the idea of making a banner. I usually donate my old bags but now I'll likely keep a few just so I can repurpose them. Or, maybe ask my relatives for theirs. We all tend to hold onto things thinking we'll reuse them but there are likely several that get passed over so why not make them into something? If I could make a mat for a picture I would use a bag for that to add a bit of seasonal flair to a family pic, too.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

So glad you found lots of inspiration

[@joang6570]

I really like your Christmas placemats thought that was a great idea, along with all the others you showed! I will be making some of those! Thanks for sharing! Joan

[@jenc7866]

So many wonderful ideas! Will be doing the placemats and garland for sure! Always a great video!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much 😊

[@roseaustin5806]

Also make some coasters.

[@jamieredden554]

Ooo i bet these could also make cool old school book covers

[@dsego1183]

Love the envelope idea 👍👍

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@lindastansfield7232]

Well, guess who is getting up early tomorrow and heading to the $ stores! Great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Have fun!

[@jeanniel.holder3310]

I like the last one where you took Santa's picture. This is the first time I've seen you. I enjoyed your ideas.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Welcome!! Thanks so much 🎄

[@cynarawhaley409]

want your video schedules

[@heard3879]

That tag punch she got at a thrift store looks awesome.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Works great

[@maleahmaxey8206]

Why are you pronouncing it deEeE copauche…..?? 🤦🏼‍♀️ why just why ?

[@penelope5534]

I was so distracted by the mispronunciation. You can Google how to pronounce any word.

[@britninicole05]

Oh i love the place mats!! I need to go through my gift bag collection and see what I can make ❤️

[@shellyturnerr]

Wow I love all your ideas. Thank you for sharing 😊 I will actually try some of those 🎄

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Have fun!