Looking for a creative way to wrap gifts without spending a dime? Skip store-bought paper—it's pricey, wasteful, and uninspired. With old newspapers and a cereal box, you can craft a charming, sustainable gift bag in minutes.
As a seasoned DIY crafter specializing in upcycling, I've made dozens of these, and they're always a hit. Here's my tested step-by-step tutorial for a recycled newspaper gift bag:
Contents
- What you'll need
- Step-by-step instructions
- Final result
What you'll need
- 2 sheets of newspaper
- Cardboard scraps (from an empty cereal box)
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Glue
- String or cord for handles
Step-by-step instructions
- Layer two sheets of newspaper on top of each other.
- Cut a rectangle measuring about 40 cm by 21 cm.
- Place the rectangle horizontally, pretty side down on your work surface.
- Fold 3 cm inward along the top edge.
- Fold 5 cm inward along the bottom edge.
- Create four vertical folds: 11 cm, 7 cm, 11 cm, and 7 cm. The 11 cm folds form the front and back; 7 cm folds create the sides.
- Fold 1.5 cm on the right side for gluing.
- Cut two cardboard strips, each 10.5 cm by 2.5 cm.
- Glue the strips to the widest sections of the newspaper, just below the top fold.
- Fold and glue the top horizontal edge over the cardboard strips.
- Apply glue to the 1.5 cm flap and fold it over to form a tube.
- Flip the bag so the 5 cm fold is at the top.
- Fold each side inward into triangles, like gift wrapping.
- Glue the triangles flat to form the bottom. Flip and press firmly to secure.
- Cut a 10 cm x 6 cm cardboard rectangle; glue inside the bottom for reinforcement.
- Punch two holes on each side for handles (use eyelets if available).
- Thread cord through the holes and knot the ends to create sturdy handles.
Final result
Your custom newspaper gift bag is complete! Quick, cost-free, and eco-smart.
It's straightforward, yields professional results, and fully recyclable. Personalize with sections featuring the recipient's interests—like sports pages or puzzles.
Perfect for reusing old papers and magazines while reducing waste.
