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Merry Christmas Gift Bag Sign

December 06, 2015

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Whip up an easy, yet elegant wooden sign for Christmas with a holiday gift bag and a few upholstery tacks.

It's a quick and easy way to get a custom sign for the holidays.

Merry Christmas Gift Bag

It's the most wonderful time of the year and I have been crafting away, enjoying the fireplace, the decorations, all the festivities that the season has to offer.

Today, for example, I am sharing another DIY to help you cheat your way to an elegant looking wooden sign.

This one is also made from a Christmas gift bag.

I know, I know. I'm obsessed.

It's just that the bags are so sweet, very inexpensive and there are so many ways to transform them,

I haven't been able to stop.

There are bags to fit any taste, style and occasion.

Last week, I showed you a dainty wooden sign that I made with a dollar store bag for my bedroom.

Christmas Bedroom Decor

The sign I made today is constructed a little bit differently. The look is different too, it's more rustic and a lot heavier.

It's not hanging over my head, so I didn't have to worry about its weight this time around.

Awesome.

Merry Christmas Gift Bag

I happened upon this very unique bag while I was Christmas shopping.

It looks like a wood carving, complete with grained paper and raised leaves and I knew immediately it would be perfect as a sign.

Merry Christmas Gift Bag and wooden planks

I went straight to the hardware store and bought a board for about five bucks.

They even cut it to size for me...16 inches square.

I am all about super easy crafts and I don't own any power tools, so I love the fact that I can get a board cut for free, right when I need it, without bothering (or waiting for) my husband.

I'm also a lazy crafter.

Rather than going out to the garage to search for the proper weight sandpaper, I grabbed a cheap emery board from my nail bin and filed off any rough edges.

Using an emery board to file wood

When I was sure that my edges were smooth, I painted a thick border on the top and the sides with white craft paint and a foam brush.

I didn't prime the wood or seal the paint. I just squirted the paint directly onto the wood and smoothed it out with the brush.

I like a rustic finish and, well, I'm lazy, remember?

Painting A Wooden Board

While the paint was drying, I cut the bag.

I made sure to leave a wide lip all the way around so that I would have a nice finished edge when I attached it to the board.

This bag was $3.00 as you can see. It was not a dollar store special, but that's fine with me, it is  really outstanding.

And a small price to pay for a custom Christmas wooden sign.

The inside of a Christmas gift bag

Since this particular sign was going in my living room, it needed a little bit of weight to coordinate with the stone fireplace and beamed ceiling.

So instead of simply gluing the bag to the wood, I used upholstery tacks to secure it.

The tacks also covered up the holes that were left in the bag when I removed the handles. Pretty and functional.

Nail Heads open and scattered on a wooden board

A simple tap of the hammer was all it took ~ and yes, I do own my own hammer.

Adding nail heads to a board and gift bag

In order to make sure that my tacks were evenly spaced all around the bag, I took the other half of the bag and used the holes left from the handles as a guide.

It worked like a charm. I eyeballed the four I added to the corners.

Super easy.

Adding a tack to a wooden board

That's it, that's all it took to create an elegant focal point for my rustic Christmas living room...paint, cut and tack.

Done. I think that this is one of my all time favorite holiday crafts.

Wooden Christmas Sign From Gift Bag DIY

It looks great in the day and at night by the twinkle of the Christmas tree.

And it fits all my requirements for crafty DIYs.

Easy, inexpensive, elegant and Exquisitely Unremarkable.

Christmas Mantel decorated with a wooden gift bag sign at night

What do you do with your old holiday gift bags?

Hey before you go, don't forget to check out my SHOP TAB for supplies I use in my crafty DIYs and for some pretties I just can't resist.

Wooden Christmas Sign From A Gift Bag Graphic

Here's another easy sign for Christmas. 

Merry Christmas Wooden Sign on the kitchen hood

And some more rustic Christmas inspiration.

Easy Advent Calendar from Newspaper rolls in front of the tree

Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 83 Comments

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  1. JunkchiccottageDecember 6, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    Love all the inspiration and love your gift bag signs. Too clever and cute. Have a great start to the new week Kim.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 11:02 AM

      Thanks Kris. I like easy and the artwork is already done for me when I grab a bag! :)

      Delete
  2. Angie @ Knick of TimeDecember 6, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    That is beautiful! I hope I find some bags this pretty to try this - pinned it!
    ~Angie @ Knick of Time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM

      Thanks Angie. I am becoming a bag addict! ;)

      Delete
  3. Celestina MarieDecember 6, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    Just fabulous Kim! Love this sign and your steps to creating it. You are one talented lady!! I'll be looking at gift bags in a new way now. Thanks for sharing. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM

      I am kind of addicted to these gift bag crafts now, CeletinaMarie! I have one more that I want to share. I can’t help myself! ;) And thanks for your kind words!

      Delete
  4. KathleenDecember 6, 2015 at 11:26 PM

    Looks great!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chatfield CourtDecember 6, 2015 at 11:40 PM

    So sweet Kim, love how you added that tacks! It looks awesome on your fireplace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 10:58 AM

      Thanks Kristi! I like it on my fireplace, too. It adds a little something...extra! :)

      Delete
  6. Blondie's JournalDecember 6, 2015 at 11:55 PM

    Oh..wow...so cute!!! Pinning away!

    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 7, 2015 at 12:22 AM

    Wow, Kim you would never know that used to be a bag, this is amazing and so creative! Love it!
    Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs, Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 10:57 AM

      Thanks! Some of the bags are really outstanding, Kimberley. Once I started looking I was really amazed.

      Delete
  8. StaceyDecember 7, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    That looks like a beautiful carving, Kim! Great job but I'm not surprised...you see the possibilities in the simplest things.

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    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 11:19 AM

      Thank you, Stacey. Sometimes, the crafts just pop out at me. This was one of those times! :)

      Delete
  9. Katrin@northernfeeling.comDecember 7, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    Wow, what you did with this is amazing, I love the white on wood and it looks so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 10:55 AM

      Thank you Katrin! The bag was very inspiring! :)

      Delete
  10. Lisa @ Texas DecorDecember 7, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    That bag is amazing and I would have grabbed it up quickly too! I love all the unique gift bags out there. I just fixed a cup of coffee and it's a good thing because this post is going to keep my occupied for a long time with all this inspiration! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 10:54 AM

      Lisa, I think you have created a gift bag monster! ;) Glad you’re enjoying the inspiration. There are a lot of creative ladies out there!

      Delete
  11. Artsy VaVaDecember 7, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    What a great DIY project. Love the sign!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cathy @ My 1929 CharmerDecember 7, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    A great project and love it also like how you aded the tacks...you are very creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 10:53 AM

      Thanks Cathy, this one just called out for tacks! :)

      Delete
  13. Kathleen GraceDecember 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    I have seen so many beautiful bags, some that even look like chalkboard signs, and what a great idea to use them that way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 11:20 AM

      Thanks, Kathleen. I have seen those chalkboard bags...hmmm. ;)

      Delete
  14. Mary K.December 7, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    What a quick and easy craft for your mantel Kim. I have to commend you on your use of sophisticated non-power tools and the use of the nail file!! And I thought I was bad ! Have the happiest of Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 1:09 PM

      Haha! You're in good company Mary! If there's a shortcut to be had, I will find it! ;-)

      Delete
  15. Vel CristeDecember 7, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    I just grabbed a bag at the Dollar Store the other day for that same purpose!!! Love your Merry Christmas sign though, just looks so pretty and high-end too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 1:20 PM

      Thanks Vel. That’s what I was going for, so you just made my day! ;)

      Delete
  16. Karen@Southern Gal Meets MidwestDecember 7, 2015 at 1:46 PM

    Hello Kim, those gift bag signs are magnificent! even though I save my used gift bags I would have never thought to reuse them in this way. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Have a great week!
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 4:58 PM

      Thanks Karen! I am all about easy crafts and this one fits the bill. I think I might have a bag problem now though! ; ) Thanks for the visit!!

      Delete
  17. quakerhillfarmDecember 7, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    Love this idea! Adds a touch of elegance and very thrifty! What more can you ask for. Have a great week, Lynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 4:54 PM

      Thanks Lynn. I was going to say, cheap and easy...but I like your "thrifty" much better! ; )

      Delete
  18. VanessaDecember 7, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    Kim,
    What a great idea and love how easy it is to make. You are the queen of signs. LOL, lovely Christmas decor friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 4:53 PM

      Thanks Vanessa!! It is easy, that’s for sure! :) xo

      Delete
  19. JennyDecember 7, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    I love this! What store did you buy the bag at?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 7, 2015 at 5:00 PM

      Hi Jenny! I found this bag at Marshall’s. I just bought it. I bet they have it at Home Goods and TJMaxx, too!

      Delete
  20. Carla from The RiverDecember 7, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    Fun! Thank you for all the fun ideas. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. GinaDecember 7, 2015 at 7:28 PM

    Ok, I am so amazed by how clever this is, I've got to go back & read it again! lol What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 8, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      Thanks Gina! It was so easy, I say give it a try! :)

      Delete
  22. Marie-Interior FrugalistaDecember 7, 2015 at 10:03 PM

    At first I thought you pinned a white stencil to barnwood and thought that was a great idea and then when I saw that it was a shopping bag - how cool is that!!! Pinned to share :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 8, 2015 at 8:08 AM

      Well that sounds like an amazing idea, too, Marie!! Thanks for the inspiration....hmmm.

      Delete
  23. LynneDecember 7, 2015 at 11:28 PM

    you are such a talent . . . inspiring . . .
    and it is encouraging for others too . . .
    happy december creating days kim . . .

    ReplyDelete
  24. handmade by amaliaDecember 8, 2015 at 3:33 AM

    What a fun and creative idea, and it looks so pretty.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jemma@athomewithjemmaDecember 8, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Kim,
    You are amazing and have a way of making things looks easy! This is a great and beautiful project!
    Happy Tuesday,
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 8, 2015 at 9:35 AM

      Thanks Jemma! I like easy and this one took me just minutes! ;)

      Delete
  26. anandaDecember 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    wow kim! the sign is gorgeous so beautifully made!! love the simplicity and the details! <3

    ReplyDelete
  27. Debbie - Mountain MamaDecember 8, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    You never cease to amaze me!!! This is a super easy and absolutely lovely project - even I could accomplish this one!! Love, love, LOVE!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 9, 2015 at 10:10 AM

      Thank you, Debbie! This really was an easy one. I would make one for every room if my family would let me! ;)

      Delete
  28. Meredith @ The Palette MuseDecember 8, 2015 at 10:38 PM

    This is just beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen a gift bag that pretty, and I cracked up at your emery board sander. That's totally something I would do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 9, 2015 at 10:12 AM

      I think my husband ~ a super handy, by the book kind of guy ~ cringed when he read that! I'm glad someone gets it! ;) And thanks, Meredith!!

      Delete
  29. AnonymousDecember 8, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    What a great idea. I would have never guessed it was a bag. Well done! Merry Christmas!
    Tami

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 9, 2015 at 10:18 AM

      Thanks so much, Tami! It was super easy and now I am kind of addicted to these bags. ;) Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  30. Marilyn @ MountainTopSpiceDecember 9, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    A really amazing craft, and you make it look so easy! Hmm... maybe I need to go through my bag stash and see if I have a "sign" waiting in there for me! Your sign looks awesome on the mantle - yeah for you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 9, 2015 at 10:20 AM

      Thank you so much and I am sure you have something in that bag stash!! :) Have fun!!

      Delete
  31. Julie's LifestyleDecember 9, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    Wow Kim, you made another nice Christmas picture! I will have to try your idea!! Love it.
    I hope you have a nice day and week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 11, 2015 at 1:25 PM

      Thanks so much, Julie! I am addicted to these bag crafts now! Thanks for peeking at it. :)

      Delete
  32. Judy at GoldCountryCottageDecember 9, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    Kim, what an amazing idea. The sign looks so rich and beautiful. I would not have known it was a gift bag. Great job..Happy Wednesday..Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 10, 2015 at 11:52 AM

      It was such a pretty bag, it just called out to be a sign, Judy! Thanks so much. :)

      Delete
  33. BenitaDecember 9, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    I'm so glad you keep sharing all of these wonderful projects! While I cannot do some of them, I do like dreaming about the possibilities one day! Love this...so pretty!! Looks beautiful on the mantel! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 10, 2015 at 11:51 AM

      You could totally do this one, Benita!! Easy! I promise.

      Delete
  34. RueDecember 9, 2015 at 11:58 PM

    That turned out really really cute! It actually looks like something you bought.

    I'm finally feeling better, so hopefully I'll be sharing Christmas here too, if I can get the house clean... ugh lol

    love to you,
    rue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 10, 2015 at 11:50 AM

      Glad to hear you’re on the mend! Can’t wait to see you Christmas cottage…but don’t push yourself. I say take a pic of your the pups under the tree and call it day! ;)

      Delete
  35. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowDecember 10, 2015 at 7:42 AM

    This is amazing / no one would guess it was done with a gift bag! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. The Charm of HomeDecember 10, 2015 at 2:53 PM

    Pretty look with this technique!

    ReplyDelete
  37. My thrift store addictionDecember 11, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    Kim, what a great bag--I had to take a double glance because it just didn't look like one! Great sign! Hugs, Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  38. A Joyful CottageDecember 13, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    Your signs are lovely and very classy, Kim. Thanks for sharing. xo ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 16, 2015 at 4:11 PM

      Thank you, Nancy…best compliment ever! :) xo

      Delete
  39. KeriDecember 15, 2015 at 12:16 AM

    Kim, funny post, love the humor!! I think the emery board as sandpaper, the holes in the bag as a guide, and your use of a gift bag as wall art are all so incredibly clever!! This sign is beautiful, and looks so lovely as Christmas decor!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim December 16, 2015 at 2:09 PM

      Haha! Yes, I am definitely a cutting corners kind of gal and so glad you found it funny! ;) That's the best compliment!

      Delete
  40. Angie RoseNovember 29, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    Really cute! What a fun holiday project!

    ReplyDelete
  41. UnknownNovember 9, 2017 at 11:20 PM

    Even though it's "only a shopping bag," it's super cute & you saw the potential Kim. It looks so sweet up there on your mantel...like an expensive piece of decor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim November 10, 2017 at 3:14 PM

      Thanks Florence! Some of those gift bags are like artwork. Too pretty to put in a drawer!

      Delete
  42. Linda at Mixed KreationsNovember 11, 2018 at 7:51 AM

    Your Christmas sign turned out lovely. It really looks like it was cut out on a scroll saw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim November 11, 2018 at 11:23 AM

      Thanks Linda...this was a fun one and I couldn't resist that bag when I saw it!

      Delete