I always enjoyed it when our Christmas presents were wrapped and everyone took turns to open one present at a time. This seemed to make Christmas last longer rather than just having all the presents under the tree unwrapped. But it certainly takes more time as a parent, especially a procrastinating parent as I am.
A few Christmas Eve’s ago, late at night, I was at my Mom’s house trying to wrap presents after our two kids were in bed to be ready for Christmas morning. As I am all tangled in tape and paper I look over and see my sister-in-law (who had just hauled in her presents not five minutes prior) just finishing all her wrapping. HOW?!? Fabric Christmas bags. GENIUS!!! She had some that were passed down to her from her childhood. Think of the memories just these bags alone held. I have been hooked ever since. We put our bags out on Christmas Eve and by morning Santa does his magic (in 10 minutes instead of hours) and they are filled with presents! No plastic bags full of ripped wrapping paper – just fold up the fabric and you’re ready for next year!
My kids now get excited just seeing these bags come out of storage!
I know a tutorial is not necessary, but I’ll explain. I just cut the fabric in two pieces, put right (print) sides together, and sewed three sides. I didn’t even hem the top because once you tie it with ribbon and it bunches over, you can’t even see the top. (If you use material that frayes you would want to hem.)
You can make them to match your holiday decor and put presents out as you buy them, if want presents under the tree. Or you can use themes your kids are into just like the wrapping paper. Christmas fabric always goes on sale after Christmas so you can stock up for next year!
Thanks Emily for enlightening me a few years ago!
This post is entered in a McLinky party at Somewhat Simple.
Julie says
I LOVE this idea! I may just have to grab my coupons and head to Joann’s thank you for posting!
Shelley says
Cute Idea!!!! Look at you ‘saving the world’ one present at a time! 😉
marzena says
I love it! I love it! I love it! 🙂
Mel says
My sister changed my Christmas life when she said she collected Christmas gift bags. Same idea as your fabric bags. We reuse them every year and they are so easy to put the gift in, top with a little tissue paper, label and you’re done in 30 seconds. I also bought the bags cheap after Christmas…….some as low as $.10 each.
stacy says
Now if only I could sew…hmmm…a New Year’s resolution. I love this idea!
DaMora says
Great Idea. I’m gonna start this. And it totally helps with those ‘funny shaped, hard to wrap’ gifts.
TidyMom says
What a fantastic idea! – I’m doing a post of Christmas tips – I’m going to add the link to this post!!
~TidyMom
Jessica says
What a Great IDEA!!!!!! I am definitely going to be making some of these. The possibilities are endless. I am going to make them for B-day gifts too!!!
Kat says
My mother-in-law does this and we all love it!!!
Vanessa says
My friend showed me that her family wraps gifts this way, and that very night I stumbled upon your blog post. It’s great. I even made a like to it on my blog. http://vanessawashburn.blogspot.com/2009/12/wrapping-presents-my-way.html
Thanks for sharing.
Shannon says
This is such a great idea. I have a bunch of spare fabric around the house that I could use to create these this year. Thanks for sharing this !
Sarah says
Oh my god, I love this idea!! I’ve linked your blog over at mine, but is it okay if I use your picture too? Wanted to be sure it was okay first! Please leave me a message on my blog if it’s okay. 🙂
I’m going to go check out the rest of hte site now!
Kimberly@Attempting Creative says
I love this. I’m all about using green wrapping techniques. I don’t have a good fabric store near me while I’m home for the holidays, but as soon as I venture to the next town over, I’m going to stock up for wrapping.