How to Put Tissue Paper in a Gift Bag

Last Updated: July 25, 2022 Tested

Using gift bags, tissue paper and ribbons can make gift giving fun and colorful. Putting tissue paper into a gift bag can be a frustrating experience, resulting in torn or wrinkled paper and a messy looking gift. This article addresses methods that can help to reduce tearing, wrinkling and frustration.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Placing the Tissue Paper in First

1
Collect your materials. You will need tissue paper, the gift, ribbons or embellishments, a gift bag, and a card.
- You will need several colors of tissue paper that complement the color of the gift bag. Colored tissue paper makes a gift more festive!
- Make sure your gift bag is appropriate for the occasion.
- If you are going to curl ribbon to add as a decoration, you will need scissors to curl ribbon or pre-curled ribbon.
2
Open each sheet of tissue paper completely. This will give the paper more volume and presence as you are adding it to the bag.
- When you give the paper volume by opening it completely, it will make the gift bag look full.
- Do this carefully. Tissue paper is thin and prone to wrinkling and tearing.
- It is best to do this on a flat surface such as a table or the floor.
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3
Line the bottom and sides of the gift bag. Arrange the sheets of tissue paper so they extend out the top.
- Alternate colors of tissue paper to give your gift some flare.
- You can place the different colored tissue paper in one sheet at a time, each sheet perpendicular to the last to give the look of alternating colors coming out of the top of the bag.
- After you've placed all the lining sheets into the bag, you can arrange the parts of paper coming out of the top of the bag to make sure they look right.
4
Place the gift(s) in the bag. Make sure you can't see them through the sides of the bag if your bag is transparent.
- Be careful as you do this to prevent wrinkling or tearing the tissue paper you just put into the bag.
- Make sure your gift bag is the appropriate size for the gift.
5
Bunch one or two sheets of tissue loosely to cover the gift. No part of the gift should be visible.
- Place these in the bag neatly so you don't give the appearance of rushed wrapping.
- Inspect the wrapped package. The tissue paper should not look wrinkled, torn, or placed in the bag haphazardly.
- No part of the gift should be visible or distort the shape of the gift bag.
6
Add your card and embellishments. You can place a card inside the bag or attach it with tape onto the outside of the bag.
- Ribbons and bows can be added to the handle of the bag to add a creative twist.
- You can also add a gift tag with your name and the recipient's on it for easy identification. This can come in quite handy at showers and holiday events with many gifts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wrapping the Gift In Tissue Paper

1
Gather your materials. You will need tissue paper, your gift, a gift bag, any embellishments, your card and gift tag.
- You will need several sheets of white paper to wrap around the gift first, then colored tissue to line the gift bag.
- You will need several colors of tissue paper that complement the color of the gift bag. Colored tissue paper makes a gift more festive!
- Make sure your gift bag is appropriate for the occasion.
- If you are going to curl ribbon to add as a decoration, you will need scissors to curl ribbon. Alternatively, you can use pre-curled ribbon or a pre-made bow.
2
Wrap the present loosely in white tissue paper. This will keep it from being seen once it is placed in bag.
- You do not need to tape the packet of tissue paper closed.
- If the gift is fragile, you should use multiple layers of white tissue paper or even newspaper to cushion the gift.
3
Place 3 or 4 sheets of tissue paper on a flat surface. Overlap each of the them several inches, alternating colors.
- Use more or less paper depending on the size of the gift and gift bag.
- If the gift is small, use half sheets of paper.
4
Place the wrapped gift in the center of the laid out sheets of tissue paper. This will allow your tissue paper to look evenly distributed as it sits in the gift bag.
- Make sure the gift is centered on the tissue paper a layers.
- If the gift is a long shape, place it on a diagonal.
5
Gather up the tissue paper loosely over the gift. Take the opposite corners of the tissue paper and bring them over the gift.
- Lightly scrunch the paper right above the gift.
- Leave the rest of the paper as wrinkle free as possible.
- Do this step gently to avoid tearing the paper.
6
Lift the gift from the bottom and place it in the gift bag. Be careful not to tear the paper and do not lift the gift by the paper edges.
- Gently arrange the tissue paper about the top of the bag to your liking.
- Don't overwork the paper. It will start to look wrinkled and used.
7
Add more tissue paper, if needed. This can add more pop and color to your gift if you feel something is lacking.
- Lay out a sheet of tissue paper and smooth it.
- Place your thumb and forefinger in the center of the tissue paper and lift it.
- Give a flick of your wrist and use your other hand to straighten out the tissue paper.
- Place it in the bag on top of the gift. Use alternating colors to add variety.
8
Add your card and gift tag. You can place the card in the bag with the gift and tissue paper.
- Alternatively you can place the card on the outside of the bag by taping it in place.
- Place your gift tab on the front of the bag or on the handle.
9
Add any embellishments to the gift. You can add ribbons, pre-made bows and curling ribbon to add a little flare to your gift.
- These items can really personalize a gift and make it very festive.
- Don't over-do the embellishments on the gift as it will take away from the effects on your gift bag and tissue paper.

Community Q&A

Question

Which of these methods looks the best?

Community Answer

It's up to you -- everyone has different personal preferences. The best look can also depend on the gift and bag.