After going through Christmas and then three birthdays in January, I cannot tell you how many gift bags we ended up tossing. I try to keep and reuse the ones that look pristine, but generally the bags are rumpled or creased.
Over the holidays, Envirosax started a movement to use their designer
reusable tote bags as gift wrap. Their totes come in a wide array of attractive prints, many of which are ideal for gift wrapping. I was very happy to be able to try my hand at some creative wrapping with my
Envirosax tote bag from the La Boheme collection.
If you are not familiar with Envirosax totes, they are roomy 19.5" x 16.5" bags that transform into a 4" roll. These totes can hold up to 44lbs and are small enough to throw in your purse, your glove compartment, or even your back pocket.
Let me show you the results of my experimentation with using my Envirosax tote bag as gift wrap. I wish I had not put most of my ribbon in the attic after the holidays, but I managed to make do with what I had. Luckily, the bag has such a pretty print that it did not call for much ornamentation.
This technique is perfect for a small shirt box or game. Simply place the box inside the tote bag, making sure it is pushed towards the corner where the button tabs are located.
Then twist the handles together so that they become one handle. Fasten the newly made handle with the button tabs.
Then fold the excess fabric under like a flap, securing it with two pins. Then tie a ribbon around the box and secure it on the top. I used wired ribbon because they make much grander looking bows.
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This next technique is very easy and works great with a taller box. Just slide the box into the bag and then tie the two handles together, pulling them until the bag cinches shut. I double knotted to make sure the bag was secure. The handles can be fluffed a little to make a nice looking bow. Then you can add any type of ornament, such as a flower. I used one of my daughter's hair clips.
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This last technique is similar to how I would wrap a gift basket with cellophane. It is perfect to use on something like a soft plush animal. You would start by tucking the handles inside the bag.
Then neatly gather the top of the bag so that you create pleats in the fabric. Next, just tie the neck with your ribbon of choice.
I know there are other options for reusable gift bags out there, such as drawstring fabric gift bags. I personally would rather receive a gift in a tote bag like this Envirosax tote. The reason I feel this way is that a fabric gift bag would most likely sit in the closet for years before it would get reused. A practical tote bag like this would get used on every trip I take to the mall.
To view the full line of Envirosax tote bags for adults and children, visit
Envirosax.com . You can order bags individually or in sets right on this website, as well as at select online boutiques. You can also keep up with the newest prints by following
Envirosax on Twitter and fanning
Envirosax on Facebook.
Thank you to Envirosax for sending me a tote bag to base this article upon and for providing another tote bag for our contest prize.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive their choice of one tote from the new Envirosax La Boheme series.
Limitations:This giveaway is open to WORLDWIDE entries. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you
must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:Browse the selection of Envirosax
Graphic Series Tote Bags. Then leave a comment telling me
the name of the bag you like best from the Graphic Series collections. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.Extra Entries:1)
For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented.
You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Envirosax.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.
4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.
5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.
6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.
7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
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10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
After going through Christmas and then three birthdays in January, I cannot tell you how many gift bags we ended up tossing. I try to keep and reuse the ones that look pristine, but generally the bags are rumpled or creased.
