How to Decorate a Plain Paper Gift Bag for Fall

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Let me show you how to decorate a plain paper gift bag for fall and give you ideas for how you can use your fall bags during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dressing up gift bags is quick and easy to do and they’re super cheap to make, also.

Not only can your decorated fall bags be used as gift bags, but also as treat or goodie bags.

HOW TO DECORATE A PLAIN PAPER GIFT BAG FOR FALL

3 decorated plain gift bags for fall
GIFT BAGS, TREAT BAGS, GOODIE BAGS

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • brown paper gift bags ~ Dollar Tree
  • small bottle Mod Podge ~ Dollar Tree
  • 2 printed 12 x 12 scrapbook pages ~ Hobby Lobby
  • 2 plain 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook pages ~ Hobby Lobby
  • small foam paint brush
  • hole punch
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • twine
supplies needed for the project how to decorate a plain gift bag for fall

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR FALL TREAT OR GOODIE BAGS / GIFT BAGS?

Use as a gift bag if you’d like to carry your Thanksgiving hostess a thoughtful gift. You could even fill the fall bag with a loaf of pumpkin bread and give to your neighbors for the holiday.

Use as a treat or goodie bag if you would like to send your guests home with some leftovers from your holiday feast. Why not bake some cookies, fill the bags, and send your guests home with the sweet parting gift?

PREPARING THE PUMPKIN PRINTED TREAT BAGS:

Measure, mark, and cut out the printed pumpkin paper to be glued to the plain bag.

I left a 1-inch border of the bag to show around the scrapbook paper.

Brush Mod Podge onto the back of the scrapbook paper, apply to the bag, smooth out with fingers.

How to decorate a plain gift bag with scrapbook paper for fall

PREPARE THE PUMPKIN SHAPE FOR THE GOODIE BAG:

To make the pumpkin shapes, you can either trace a dollar tree wood pumpkin or freehand draw one.

To increase the size of the pumpkin for the layers, I increased my shape roughly 1/4 inch and freehand sketched around the pumpkin shape.

Apply Mod Podge to the back side of each layer and then glue to the brown paper bag.

Step for how to decorate plain paper gift bags for fall with scrapbook pumpkin shapes.

The picture below shows the finished look of each brown paper bag.

example of 2 completed gift bags for fall

HOW TO MAKE MATCHING GIFT TAGS:

To make the gift tag shapes, you can freehand draw, use stencil shapes, use scrapbook punches, or trace around household items in your desired size.

I cut my tag shapes out and used Mod Podge to glue them together. I wrote “Thankful” and “Harvest” on two tags, then tied them onto the bag handles with twine. Another option is writing the gift recipient’s name on the tag.

Gift tag made for the how to decorate a plain gift bag for fall project

Now that you know how to decorate a plain gift bag for fall, you can crank out a few and have them handy when the Thanksgiving holiday comes.

graphic saying pin for later
graphic showing the plain gift bags dressed up for fall

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE MY FREE THANKSGIVING PRINTABLE:

RUSTIC THANKSGIVING FREE PRINTABLE

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE THANKSGIVING PROJECTS!

It’s time for another monthly “Under 10 on the 10th” where I join a few fellow bloggers and we share our inexpensive craft and decor ideas following a theme. This month we’re sharing Thanksgiving project ideas with our readers. Be sure to click their links below.

logo for the blog challenge 10 on the 10th graphic logo

PATINA AND PAINT ~ Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

LIFE AS A LEO WIFE ~ Thanksgiving Wreath

DECORATE AND MORE WITH TIP ~ Harvest Candy Filled Party Favor

Sharing how to decorate plain gift bags at the following fabulous blogs!

author of the southern sunflowers blog

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allyson

Allyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers. She shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.

20 thoughts on “How to Decorate a Plain Paper Gift Bag for Fall”

      1. Kimberly Gorham

        I need to make a bag for an engagement gift and your Thanksgiving / Fall gift bags are SOOO helpful! You got my creative juices flowing! I need to take before, during, & after pics!! 👰🏽‍♀️

        Reply
  6. Niki | Life as a LEO Wife

    Oh my goodness, these are adorable! I was just thinking of using brown paper lunch bags for boo bags. Using napkins that I just got from Dollar Tree would be perfect on those as well. I’ll add a link to your Thanksgiving bags when I make mine. Pinned!

    Reply

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