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

[@jessbarnes8521]

I just reuse them as they are to package gifts!

[@elizabethbreckenkamp8462]

Yes. That's also a great idea.

[@patriciacain1640]

My thoughts😂

[@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

[@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

[@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! 😮

[@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!

[@jtdw10]

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

[@heard3879]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Works great

[@claytonstorms565]

I loved all your craft ideas for recycling. I couldn't pick a favorite, but you definitely gave me inspiration for sure...thanks -------Amelia

[@OurUpcycledLife]

I am so glad you were inspired! ❤️

[@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! 😊

[@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!

[@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!

[@jamieredden554]

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

[@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!!!😊❤

[@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!

[@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!

[@tinalongano8849]

Love your beautiful envelopes 💌😉

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much!

[@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🎄

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@faymeowsiumo]

I love to upcycle gift bags too. I like to put fairy lights behind images with houses or windows and put them in a frame, they make beautiful decorations. also i use the beautiful picture on the bags to make journal covers. I love the first one which you decoupage a santa on the piece of wood.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

What great ideas! Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@bonnieisabelle4763]

When I make an envelope with paper only printed on one side, I put the print side in to make a "lined" envelope. It is also easier to address with the white on the outside.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great tip thank you so much for sharing

[@aunt_b3365]

Me too.

[@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!

[@heidievans2836]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Yay! Thank you!

[@jenniferfriedlander2159]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharonkennedy7498]

The decoupage circle and framed picture are my favorites

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@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

[@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. 😉

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@shellyturnerr]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Have fun!

[@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!!

[@kikijarvis]

Sooo many great ideas! Love the fact that you’re repurposing these bags versus throwing them away. Excellent video

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@piafico4692]

Deidre, you have the best clever and resourceful ways of creating new items out of things that would be thrown away! You’re so smart! You really inspire me! Love all your ideas.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much!

[@piafico4692]

@@OurUpcycledLife you’re welcome!

[@annmyers2883]

Thank you for sharing your ideas. I especially liked the snowflakes. We learned to make those when we were children, but I lost the knack, but now you showed me how to do it again. Thanks for reminding me of days gone by. Have a great 2024

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@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 😊

[@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

[@mindyjoss4802]

Duh moment on using gift bags for wrapping paper! You are so full of cool ideas. ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@okiefarmerswife7154]

So many possibilities! Thank you for sharing, they turned out so cute

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@rimabohsali6276]

the book mark and snow flakes

[@mariamullin4031]

The first one was my favourite

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@angelabowman1614]

All great ideas! I actually used one of them to "wrap a Gift" this Christmas! I didn't want to run to my car at my Sister's house and had a bag big enough to use! Lol. 😊 The Book Marker, and the envelopes are great ideas I'm going to do for next Christmas! 😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great idea!!

[@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.

[@dsego1183]

Love the envelope idea 👍👍

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@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!

[@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

[@Og-Judy]

Saw another person hacking Gift bags onto canvas and wood. They let the mod podge dry then IRONED the Gift bag on using some parchment paper as a "pressing cloth". No wrinkles or bubbles from wet mod podge! Brilliant idea!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Yes that will work great also

[@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!!

[@donnashelley3939]

Brown paper bag snowflakes are my favorites.

[@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!

[@amyt6254]

Wow! Such great ideas! Hmm, which is my favorite? I love them all, but I think my favorite is the envelope. I also love the packing tape trick to make the bag image thinner. Thank you!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@gsmith5140]

Loved them all. I kept my bags just for this reason. 😊

[@OurUpcycledLife]

So glad you’re reusing them!

[@corricatt]

I loved the placemat idea..

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Me too

[@sandygeddry724]

I just found your channel. I love your gift bag ideas. Finally, someone with original ideas. Thank you.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@nitashadow2860]

I don't know how many times i've wasted all that stuff and just thrown it in the trash. Thanks so much for sharing. Hi from lutz Florida USA

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@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.

[@jayneschuetter5517]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@southernsewnsow3185]

Great deco idea. Needed that tip about thinning the paper.👍love them all.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susieramick7202]

Your crafty ideas are awesome. Love the nostalgic Santa and also the place mats. Thanks.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@emmapowell3630]

I like saving bags with nice artwork and I enjoyed watching the many ways I can upcycle to still use the items I have kept!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Same here!

[@kathleendonnelly6077]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Wonderful!

[@britninicole05]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@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 🎄

[@pamelataylor3537]

Hi Deidre, lots of great ideas with gift bags. So much inspiration got from your videos, each video I watch of yours inspires me so thank you very much. I’ve learned quite a lot from you as well. I really enjoy your videos cos you use items that we’d call have lying around to go in our recycling bins or are easy to get your hands on and cos it’s getting harder and harder to find extra money for things it just allows us to still be able to do beautiful creations without spending a lot of money and in some or most instances no money as we have the stuff already. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoy my videos!

[@jayjay3337]

These were great! You can also use mod podge instead of wet, applying the M.P to the surface, let it dry, then put the design on the surface, cover with baking paper or a teflon sheet and use an iron or heat press to reactivate the M.P and you wont get any sort of bubbles, crinkles or wrinkles. Just an idea if anyone is interested in decoupage, I know I prefer this method now psrsonally (the wrinkles do my head in 😂). Love the Santa pic at the end by the way!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@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

[@bonniespruin6369]

Framing one was my favourite.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks for watching

[@yvettesobaszek8100]

Absolutely wonderful! I loved every single one!❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thank you so much!

[@lorettayoung7220]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Happy holidays!

[@ruthguthrie1099]

I appreciate your tip on taking the back layer of the first bag. Love from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rosalindmartz6585]

Enjoyed each one of them.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@lindastansfield7232]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Have fun!

[@deeferry6520]

Loved all of your upcycles. Thank you so much for sharing x

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@viviengleeson7486]

So many great idea's. Love the picture frame though - probably my #1. The gift tags are fabulous too and I think that I might be making some placemats this year, maybe laminate them and give them as a gift!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much!

[@marthavillanueva5505]

These are all great, fast, easy and cheap!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@elizabethvallely4044]

All of the items where great! Really like the picture idea! Thank you so much for the awesome ways to recycled the gift bags brilliant idea and for the tips you give!!! You a mazing me every time I watch your videos!!! Thank you so much for teaching and sharing with us all! God Bless Hugs Liz x

[@OurUpcycledLife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@119pwarren]

They was all great ! Can't pick just 1 as a favorite.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@B.Pa.]

Das sind gute Ideen, auch für Geschenkpapier, wenn man zu viel davon hat, oder das Design besonders schön ist. Geschenktaschen, die einmal gebraucht und noch wie neu sind, kann man auch einfach ein weiteres mal benutzen.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@f.daisyeckels4641]

Love the banner garland! ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much!

[@jerrimclaughlin8432]

Thank you for sharing love love love your ideas

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@junelarguinha1756]

Wow!! These are great and refreshing ideas. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@shelly1224]

I loved every one. You have such great ideas to repurpose things

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks

[@robinjackson5035]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@diansolomon614]

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

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks glad you enjoyed

[@dmcgill9360]

Love all of your ideas and creativity. Thank you ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You are so welcome!

[@busybeenature9092]

My favourite is table mats. Nice DIY without spending and useful too. Thanks 🙏

[@OurUpcycledLife]

So glad you enjoyed! I hope you make them.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Since I never thought of any of these myself, I like them all!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@DeborahLawson-ne3wj]

Thinking outside the box .Way to go 🙂💚🩷💙😊🎉💞👍🏾😃🌈❤️💖😍🖤🥳🤩🎇💜🎆🤗💗🧡💐🎃☺️

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you liked it!

[@godisgood678]

I like the envelopes and the placemats best! All fun ideas!

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@threeseevideo]

I love all of these affordable ideas ❤thank you

[@OurUpcycledLife]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@cleobradford5806]

I can't pick a favorite. They are all awesome ideas

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you like them!

[@jrae6608]

Great tips and ideas, using packing tape is the best

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It really is!

[@cmiranda313]

I love the envelope idea ❤

[@OurUpcycledLife]

It's one of my favorites too!

[@marciajohnston5669]

I like making the envelope and using the bags for wrapping

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Glad you enjoyed

[@Moni-T-V]

They're all so cute 😍

[@OurUpcycledLife]

Thanks 😊

[@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!