How to Create Whimsical Paper Bag Snowflakes
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Creating DIY paper bag snowflakes is not only a delightful craft but also a budget-friendly way to infuse your home with holiday magic. As the season of Christmas approaches, there’s no better time to embark on this fun craft for your holiday decorating.
All you need are some basic supplies, a dash of creativity, and a pinch of holiday spirit to transform ordinary lunch bags into enchanting snowflakes that will adorn your living space.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the simple instructions to craft these charming decorations, allowing you to add a touch of wintery wonder to your decor without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive in and discover the joy of making brown paper bag snowflakes!
Things You’ll Need
- Brown Paper Lunch Bags. You can also use larger brown paper bags for giant snowflakes.
- Ribbon or Piece of Twine
- Hole Punch
- Glue (can use hot glue, glue stick etc.)
- Pencil (for sketching out a design)
- Sharp, strong Scissors (you will have to cut through many layers of bags, so make sure these are good and strong!)
- Fairy Lights (optional)
How to Make Paper Bag Snowflakes
I highly recommend you watch the how-to video. It makes things much clearer.
How to create paper bag snowflakes from brown paper lunch bags.
Total time: 30 minutes
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Glue 7-8 bags together
Create a T shape line of hot glue down the middle of one bag and across the bottom of the bag. (The folded bottom should be facing away from you, and the open end of the bag should be at the top.) Lay another bag on top to glue them together. Continue until you have 7-9 bags glued together. For the fluffiest snowflakes, you need a stack of at least 7 bags glued together.
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Cut out Design / Snowflake Pattern
Using sharp scissors, cut the bags into a point (or an “M” shape) at the open ends. Then, along either side, cut shapes such as triangles or hole punch holes throughout to create a design.
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Glue Ribbon to Bags
Attach long pieces of ribbon down the middle of both the very top and bottom bags (the bag at the very bottom and the bag at the very top.) Finally, you will open up the bag and glue the two ribbons together to hold them in place.
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Hang and Enjoy!
I hung my paper bag snowflakes across our kitchen window, by tying each one to our blinds. And yes, you can still open and close the blinds!
video
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that might help you.
How many paper bags do I need to make a paper bag snowflake?
Typically, you’ll need between 7-9 paper bags to create a full and fluffy paper snowflake. The more bags you use, the fluffier your snowflake. But keep in mind, the more layers you add, the tougher it is to cut through cleanly.
Can I use different colors of paper bags for my snowflakes?
Absolutely! Using a mix of brown and white paper bags can add a unique and charming touch to your snowflakes.
Do I need a hot glue gun, or can I use regular glue for this project?
While a hot glue gun is often recommended for a secure and quick bond, regular glue can work too, although it may take a bit longer to dry. I’ve also seen folks use staples, but I prefer the glue method.
How do I hang the paper bag snowflakes once they’re done?
You can hang your paper bag snowflakes with the ribbon or twine you used to construct them. I recommend the ribbon method because it’s sturdy, won’t rip the bags and it looks so pretty. Glue the ribbon to the snowflake on the inside as I show above, then hang them from a command hook, nail or tape or pin them to the wall.
What are some Location Ideas for hanging them?
You can make smaller ones and hang them from your christmas tree as ornaments, or make gift toppers! The larger ones look great hung from windows or on walls, or even around the fireplace area. To me, they work just as well as wreaths – so wherever you would hang a wreath, you can hang a paper snowflake.
Are paper bag snowflakes a good kids craft?
Yes, this is a family-friendly easy craft, but adult supervision may be needed when using a hot glue gun or scissors. A hole punch is a good way to involve them without getting them near the scissors.
Can I store these snowflakes for future use?
Yep! Use hot glue or glue dots on the ribbon part where the snowflake comes together. Then, you can carefully peel away the hot glue or glue dots, and fold the snowflakes back up to reuse them for subsequent holiday seasons.
I hope you love these paper bags snowflakes as much as I do! And don’t forget, these can also be used as gift toppers, ornaments, in garlands and more – let your imagination run wild! I hope this gives you some good inspiration for your Christmas decor this year!