BROWN PAPER BAG CRAFT IDEAS

Brown paper bags are so standard and cheap that many people don’t realize their true potential.

I cannot resist seeing things through a creative lens. If you look, you can do so many things with a paper bag.

HOW TO UPCYCLE PAPER BAGS

A paper bag is a great way to store everything, from simple party favors to elaborate decor items. You can buy them bulk or save the loads from your last grocery store trip! You can use them for a variety of purposes. These bags will be your favorite crafting supply. This collection of paper bag crafts will inspire you.

1. DECORATE PAPER BAG TO MAKE DIY CANDLE COVERS

These DIY white paper bag luminaries make a great craft to get you started. These lanterns can be made quickly – all you need to do is use a small hole punch and decorate the bags with beautiful patterns of dots. Wrap them around a candle. Voila – homemade lanterns!

This craft is so customizable you can add any pattern to your bag. It can be geometric shapes or floral patterns. Even something completely random will look great once the flickering lights shine through.

It is a great craft activity that kids can also enjoy.

2. PAPER BAGS CAN BE USED TO MAKE PAPER VANES

Are youn’t very crafty? It is one of my favorite paper bag crafts. Anyone who can open a paper bag can make these paper bags. These are a great way to make your indoor plants look more attractive.

The result is stunning. I wrapped the paper bag vases with twine and white ribbon. You can easily switch out a different type or color of ribbon to match your home’s decor.

3. TURN YOUR PAPER BAGS INTO BETTER PAPER BAGS!

Here’s how to recycle your old paper bags. These woven paper baskets from Craftaholic Witch look great as woven baskets. It is a great way to transform a paper bag into a practical storage solution.

These paper baskets are more robust than standard paper bags and less likely to tear. They’re perfect for small craft supplies or knick-knacks storage. These baskets look great on a desk or bookshelf.

4. PAPER BAG LANTERNS LIGHT UP YOUR GARDEN

These paper lanterns by Design Sponge look great and are strung around your garden to mark a special occasion. You can personalize each lantern by adding a cut-out. I love the unique leaf shapes! Add a tealight to the bag. The candles will shine through the holes and cast a beautiful glow over the bag.

The idea of electric tea lights instead of candles in these lanterns is excellent. They not only eliminate fire hazards but also last longer than traditional tea lights, so there’s no need to relight them.

5. DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH A PAPER BAG WREATH

This grown-up version is an excellent alternative to the paper snowflakes you made as a child. The beautiful paper bag wrap from Twelve On Main was made similarly.

This wreath makes a beautiful, subtle Christmas decoration. Or you can keep it up all year!

Make sure to make one wreath. You can create as many paper bag wreaths as you want, like snowflakes.

6. RECYCLE OLD PAPER BAGS INSTALLED INTO BEAUTIFUL RIBBON

Environmentally-friendly wrapping is all the rage these days, and for a good reason! It is a great way to make beautiful, reusable ribbons from old paper bags. Robin-Marie’s brown paper bag ribbon is made from scraps of lace and brown paper bags.

The ribbon looks great wrapped around a gift, which you can cover in brown paper. You can also use the ribbon for other purposes if you need to gain the skills to wrap it.

7. PAPER BAG PARTY FAVORS – USE PAPER BAGS

You can make effortless, but cute party favors if you have some matching paper bags. These are Style Me Pretty’s favorites. You can fill them with homemade goodies or a small candle and then decorate them with ribbon.

The scalloped edge at the top of these bags is my favorite feature. It would be easy to duplicate with scissors and a hole punch.

8. MAKE A DIY ADVENTURE CALENDAR

You can instantly make a DIY advent calendar by gluing paper bags to your wall or using a large piece of cardboard. You can write a number on each load and then fill it with small treats or gifts.

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying it for your children or yourself. It’s great to have something to look forward to in the days leading up to Christmas. You can reuse the bags next year if you put them away correctly!

9. WRAP HOLIDAY GIFTS IN PAPER BAG

Please don’t feel you have to throw away all those giant paper bags you purchased for your holiday shopping; instead, turn them into unique, eco-friendly wrapping paper!

Cut the bags in half so that they make flat sheets of paper. Then, use pens to create your designs. This paper bag wrap paper by Alisa Burke features a snowflake design. But you can make any design you want. This recycled wrapping paper will make your gifts look beautiful with a little ribbon in the middle.

10. CRUMPLED BAGS CAN BE USED TO MAKE A FALL-THEMED GARDEN

Don’t worry if your paper bags are old and creased. Crafters are skilled at creating something from nothing. Even the most wrinkled paper bags can be used to make this fall-themed garland by A Wonderful Thought.

Cut the bags into leaf shapes using fusible interfacing. Then, stitch the veins onto each leaf. The leaves can be hung on a string or glued to faux branches. It is the perfect fall decoration to repurpose!