Easy Upcycled Gift Bags

The other night, my husband and I had just started to wrap some holiday gifts for friends and family, when he informed me that we were just "making trash". He was right! While we try to live green, we had made the mistake of buying wrapping paper that was destined for a landfill. Instead of wrapping our gifts in yard after yard of paper, I decided to upcycle some old jeans into reusable holiday gift bags. I was really pleased with the results! This is how you can make your own upcycled gift bags.

Materials:
Denim jeans, (don't worry if they are frayed, it adds character)
glue gun
glue sticks
scissors
curling ribbon
rubber band
beads, baubles, notions, scrap-booking extras, etc.
object to be wrapped, (I used a wine bottle but don't let that limit you)

Step One:
Lay the old jeans flat on the floor, and use the item that you are "wrapping" as a guide to cut the appropriate length, plus 2 inches from one of the legs.

Step Two:
Turn the pant leg inside out. Use your glue gun to close the raw edge of the bag. This will be the bottom of your gift bag, leaving the top, hemmed portion as the opening. You can also sew the bottom of the gift bag, but using a glue gun is quicker, easier, and just as strong.

Step Three:
Turn the bag right-side-out again, and choose which side of your bag will be the front of your upcycled gift bag.

Step Four:
Use your glue gun to attach the beads and baubles to the front of the gift bag. Be creative, structured designs are good, but random patterns have a place as well!

Step Five:
Once you have finished decorating your upcycled bag, insert the gift.

Step Six:
Use the rubber band to close the top of the denim gift bag. Tie curling ribbon over the rubber band, letting the long strands hang down the front of the bag. Use your scissors to curl the ribbon. Your upcycled gift bag is ready for giving!

To make this upcycled denim gift bag completely reusable, use a covered hair band to close the top of the bag. Simply tie the curling ribbon directly onto the hair band before curling it with your scissors. Now you have a cute hair ornament and a unique gift bag.