Gift bags

I have started to use tissue too now - my efforts with sheets of gift paper always look disastrous, and if I can't find a gift bag that is the right size, I use the silver 'tissue' from the Card Factory shop. It is much tougher than tissue, won't split, but is very thin and light and makes amazingly neat corners. I actually got a compliment on my wrapping the other day - my efforts usually make the family laugh!

They also come in handy for storing those bits-n-bobs that don't have a proper home, or just need a temporary hiding storage place. 'Temporary' is a very loose term in my house

I am so glad to have looked at this thread, I thought I was one of the few people who did this, you all make it seem perfectly acceptable therefore I shall continue also, it makes sense, I would rather put the extra money towards the gift rather than on a bag.

Also...Home Bargains have a brilliant selection...not only of gift bags & tissue etc...but gorgeous cardboard cake boxes...at the most reasonable price for a pack of two...complete with cardboard inserts to keep cupcakes in place..they look so professional! which I love to use for presenting my 'cake gifts'... they can be used for so many things...plants ...smaller gifts ... homemade biscuits etc..and again..all reusable /recycle- able, so ladies..if you're baking this Easter...this is the place to go!

I do sometimes buy gift bags...there's something rather satisfying about a new one with tissue paper to present a special gift in!..I've just bought gorgeous ones with yellow chicks on for Easter to place my little Granddaughters gifts in, Card fayre have lovely ones at the most unbelievable prices...with gorgeous gift tags & tissue paper & wrap....
Which of course can all easily be donated or recycled!

DDIL asked me to get a card and gift wrapping for a small present for a mutual aquaintance. I'd selected decent card and tissue and was looking at gift bags when I thought 'this is ridiculous, the wrapping is costing more than the contents!' I felt sure I had a re-usable bag at home, so left the new ones in the shop. Unfortunately the only one the right size had a big store name on it so I wrapped the bag in double thickness of the new tissue and the gift in the final sheet of tissue and it looked just the job

Will also share this, bought a few tombola tickets on Saturday and won 3 prizes, a money box, a set of notelets, and a box of mint Matchmakers ! Rather than just put in a cupboard thought I'd ' donate' them to my WI raffle. Putting them in a bag to take along to my group noticed the Matchmakers had ' Christmas ' raffle wrote on them. So by the time they get to the wi they've been in 3 at least 3 prizes. As they have a March 2018 expiry I wonder where they will go next ? Matchmaker anyone !!!!!!!

I do the same Sal. I'm the family holder of reusable gift bags and I have a drawer full of birthday ones and another of Christmas ones!

I never buy gift bags or wine bags as I reuse the ones I'm given. I know they can be used quite a few times before they get scruffy. I wonder who these people are, who buy them new!

Save trees; recycle all clean paper in whatever form it is. Why throw gift bags away when they usually look in perfect condition even after several reuses!

I re-use gift bags and often put a parcel in one. Family birthdays are usually celebrated in restaurants so bags for carrying presents are often appreciated.

I usually wrap the inner present in pretty tissue paper, cheaper than wrapping paper and hides the contents of the bag from prying eyes.

The rule is "Never write on the label" , then the bag can go back and forth ad infinitum!
Good not to use the Christmassy ones for birthdays though

I have a large selection of gift bags and I am happy to reuse them. I often wrap the gift in pretty paper and just use the bag to keep gifts and card together for transportation.

It is so easy to tell, either the bag has a gift tag on it or not!!
Two weeks ago I went for lunch to see a home extension and took a small gift in a recycled bag. Last Thursday H had a birthday and received gifts in the same bag.
Yesterday I visited a friend on her birthday and once again the bag was used. Manufacturers must hate us.

True Bella. I give any bags I get a pressie in (which is not many) to the Charity Shops.

I've never bought a gift bag and I've got so many. Printmiss, you can still wrap a gift (in recycled paper if necessary) and put it in the gift bag.

I`m quite happy to receive them - and to give them - but never buy a new one as I have a large supply which I have previously been given - all in perfect condition. One of the bags that I was given last week was recognised by several of my friends as it had already done the rounds!

I think a bottle of win in a gift bag is fine, but on other occasions it is very satisfying to have a 'parcel' to open, a bit like a child me.