This Christmas I decided to use my kraft paper grocery bags as gift bags for presents. The good thing about these bags is they are sturdy, hold a lot of items and are easy to carry with handles. It’s good to save plain brown kraft paper bags without logos if you can find them, but you can also block out the logos with paint as shown in the one example giving the bag a rustic shabby chic county look.

To upcycle grocery bags into gift bags for presents, you can follow these steps:

1. Gather your supplies: You will need a grocery bag, scissors, and any decorations or embellishments you want to add (such as ribbon, die cut shapes from scrapbook paper, stickers, paint, glue or stamps).
2. Choose your decorations and paint or glue embellishments onto the bag. Decorate the bag: Use the decorations and embellishments of your choice to make the bag more festive and personalized. You can add a ribbon or bow, stickers, stamps, or any other decorations you like.
3. Fill the bag: Place the gift inside the bag, and tie the top of the bag with ribbons to close it. You can also add tissue paper or other decorative fillers to the bag to add some extra flair.
4. Present the gift: Give the gift to the recipient, either by hand or by placing it under the tree or in another special location.

Upcycling grocery bags into gift bags is a simple and ecofriendly way to wrap presents, and it allows you to reuse materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. It’s a great way to reduce waste and add a personal touch to your gift-giving.

There are many ways to recycle grocery bags and reduce waste. Here are a few ideas:

1. Reuse them as shopping bags: Instead of using disposable plastic bags at the store, you can reuse your grocery bags as shopping bags. This will help reduce the number of plastic bags you use and prevent them from ending up in landfills. I always take a bag with me to the farmers market to reuse.
2. Turn them into trash bags: Cut the handles off of your grocery bags and use them as small trash bags in your home or office.
3. Use them for storage: You can use grocery bags to store items like craft supplies, toys, or household items. Just cut off the handles and use a rubber band or tape to seal the top of the bag.
4. Donate them: Many local organizations and charities will accept donated plastic bags to be used for various purposes, such as packing items for shipping or lining trash cans.
5. Recycle them: Many grocery stores and other retailers have plastic bag recycling bins where you can drop off your used bags to be recycled. Check with your local store or recycling center to see if they accept plastic bags for recycling.

By recycling or reusing your grocery bags, you can help reduce waste and protect the environment.