Anyone just used gift bags instead of wrapping?

[EmbarassedQuestion]

Just for friends and family rather than our two dcs I was thinking it would be easier to buy a load of small medium and large gift bags and just bag it all up.

But I will be paying more surely?

Anyone else just done gift bags?

Home bargains/ quality save do cheap good quality ones. I scrunch wrap in tissue (no cutting or sellotape) and then chuck in bag. Saves hours ime.

riding I have also just hemmed flat rectangles of fabric, so there are no fraying bits, and use that as paper, iyswim? Anything square like a book or box: fold fabric around then tie with ribbon. It looks really nice.

I think the Japanese have a way of wrapping using scarves... I stole the idea off them Any hemming can be done by hand in front of the tv, if you are even vaguely confident at sewing. I agree £5 for one is a bit steep!

I made mine in January/February when it was cold, dark, rainy, depressing and joyless it cheered me up no end.

Oh and Christmas bags are only for people who I will see, not for gifts I post. Absolutely no one minds giving them back and I have also inspired 2 friends to make their own.

Oh that is a good way to wrap - didn't think of that! Now to look out for some nice cheap christmassy fabric, if not for this year then for next. Or big cheap christmassy fabric napkins perhaps that I could use...

Yes and I get them from QVC.

Something like this but have a search as they have lots.

Gift bags

QVC ones perfect. Have just ordered. Will wrap some as the kids enjoy ripping off the paper but just bag big or awkward ones.

Huh, whenever I get gift bags I still wrap too. I'm a mug. I like the idea of tying a plain bag with a ribbon though, that would seem more wrapped and be a lot quicker...

Those bags are brilliant. How big are the large (not jumbo?)

I've just had a browse on eBay. Drawstring foil wrap gift bags seem to be the answer!

Personally I always think it feels a bit odd pulling a gift out of a bag and it's not wrapped. If I give someone an unwrapped gift like this, it feels a bit like I obviously couldn't be arsed... unwrapping the paper is like a kind of ceremony where the gift is slowly revealed. You give it a little shake, turn it over in your hands, say "oooh I wonder what it could be!" etc. Just having it in a bag you take away that aspect of it and the whole act of giving and receiving is over in an instant, it takes away the magic!

However I would never be ungrateful for any gift so go ahead and use gift bags if it makes life easier for you!

I came on to say Card Factory... I got 8 lovely bags from there for £2.00. Poundland and B & M have also got great quality bags in already so I'm going to stock up on a few more later on this week.

We will reuse any bags we had last year for this year's adult presents. It's positively encouraged in our family - no one writes on the label to ensure it can be re- used.

I also use this stuff

Lindy bowman

I bulk buy plain and printed gift bags from ebay. I then customise the plain bags by stamping different designs on them.

I'm wrapping as I buy this year, it's the first time I've done it this way and so far it's working for me, I've allocated a couple of drawers to presents so they don't get messed up.

I bought some last year in IKEA and I have just bought a couple more. If I can't seal the top to hide the contents then I shove a bit of tissue paper over the gift item. I also do ribbons & bows (again, buy in IKEA - but you can get large rolls of curling ribbon from florist suppliers).

Oh ffs Conyo, now I feel compelled to make a load of bags!!

But I have to say I agree with Mamushka. It feels a bit deflated to look into a gift bag and have your present revealed all at once. Very selfishly (and I obviously wouldn't say anything irl) I prefer my gifts to be giftwrapped.

Another option - one year I bought some cheap linen tote bags and a pack for fabric pens. I then got the children to decorate them. Bingo to personal packing that took almost none of my time.

Just come up with an idea and thought of this post. You can get metallic/foil self seal mailing bags! I am going to get some in different sizes in gold, red and green and then I can pop present in, self seal tag and then use a self adhesive gift label andaybe some ribbon. Means I can wrap on my lap, no one will dare complain as I'll be heavily pregnant and if it looks ok I'll do the same every year.

sorry OrangeSquash

We have a fairly scattered family so plonking presents in gift bags makes life soooo much easier when we end up visiting. I need to make a start on wrapping and cards actually....

One year I double bagged. I spotted some Tesco bags for life with a christmas design and put each family's gifts and cards in one of those. The boot of the car was immaculate (which made me stupidly happy)

I ordered two boxes of those qvc bags, one Christmassy and one not. They have arrived and look great. I think I will do a combo of those and paper wrapping this year.