Clever Ways to Repurpose Paper Bags

Did you know that July 12th is Paper Bag Day? What better way to celebrate than to spend some time up-cycling your grocery and lunch bags with fun projects like the ones below. If none of these suit your fancy, take a peek at my “It’s in the Bag” Pinterest board for dozens more great ideas for reusing, recycling, and repurposing paper bags of all sizes, shapes, and colors.

Clever & Crafty Ideas for Repurposing Paper Bags

Gingerbread Houses
Aren’t these gingerbread houses simply adorable? The results from Craftberry Bush’s inspired tutorial look good enough to eat, don’t you think? I want to make a whole village of these precious little houses.
Potted Planter
Isn’t this paper bag planter from Life on Summer Hill fabulous? It’s coated with wax for durability. I could picture an entire row of these, all tidy with their labels, filled with herbs and lined up on my kitchen window sill.
Origami Stars
Up-cycle your paper bags into a handful of origami stars from Miller Grey. You can use as tree ornaments or package toppers or even string a bunch together to make a festive garland.
Paper Bag Puppets
I found all sorts of great paper bag puppet making ideas on Pinterest, but these Puppy Pupppets from WooJr. are my favorite.
Package Toppers
These cute little up-cycled gift tags require a little sewing but look fun to make. You can use a machine or sew by hand or — if sewing isn’t your thing — leave those accents off and use hot glue to assemble.
Easter Baskets
I think these pretty baskets from Lisa Griffith are too adorable to use only at Easter. I’m thinking the kids and I should make a set to use for storage baskets on the open shelves in my daughter’s bedroom.
Animal Masks
How about making this super-clever animal masks from Handmade Charlotte. I have a few grandkids who would love to dress up like rascally raccoons!
Christmas Ornaments
These gingerbread men from Pioneer Woman at Heart would look great hanging on the tree or strung together in a garland like paper dolls.
3-D Snowflakes
My daughter taught us how to make some cool 3-dimensional snowflakes last Christmas, like the ones pictured below from Delineate Your Dwelling. And they’re not just for Christmas! My girls made a beautiful arrangement of white and brown stars to hang over the couch in their apartment all year long.
Place Settings
Entertaining? Whip up some of these beautiful place settings from Kim Six Fix. What an economical way to make your dinner table stunning!
Gift Bags
I love the simplicity of these sweet gift bags from The Party Studio Blog. Quick and easy to assemble, just trim the edge of your lunch bag, fold it over, add a tag, tie the string, and you’re done!
Holiday Wreath
This lovely Thanksgiving Wreath from Popsugar Living is made from recycled grocery bags. Wouldn’t that look nice hanging on your door this Autumn?
Lunchbag Art
Pack your child a meal he’ll remember in one of these art-deco lunch bags from Hallmark’s Think Make Share Blog. Their post has dozens of great samples to inspire your inner artist!