Pleated Paper DIY Gift Bags

Create unique and stylish gift bags with these pleated paper DIY gift bags made using origami!

These bags are perfect for birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other special occasions.

Customize the size—small, medium, or large—and use a ribbon to tie them off for a festive touch.

Gift-giving is always better with a little extra creativity, and what could be more delightful than a pleated paper gift bag crafted entirely with origami?

These bags are not only super easy to make, but they also provide a charming, personalized touch that adds a special touch to any gift.

Whether you're preparing gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother’s Day, or just because, these DIY pleated bags are a simple yet elegant way to wrap up your presents.

Using one sheet of paper for each bag, you’ll create folds that result in a pleated effect, giving the bag texture and a unique appearance.

And if you love versatility, this design is fantastic because you can create small, medium, or large bags depending on your needs—perfect for everything from little trinkets and jewelry to slightly larger presents.

The best part? This project doesn’t require any scissors—just origami paper, a hole punch, pinch of glue, and a bit of ribbon to tie it all together!

Not only do these pleated bags make for beautiful gift packaging, but they’re also fun to create.

Whether you're crafting for a special celebration or just looking for a creative way to present a gift, these bags will add a touch of flair to your presents.

Other easy to make gift bags you just have to make include this heart DIY paper gift bags, DIY gift bags from wrapping paper, pyramid origami box, and self closing triangle DIY gift bag.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• No scissors needed – Just origami folding, pinch of glue, ribbon, and a hole punch!
• Customizable sizes – Create small, medium, or large bags to fit different-sized gifts.
• Quick to make – A simple and fun craft project that doesn't take much time to complete.
• Perfect for any occasion – Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or just a thoughtful gift packaging solution.
• Personalized – Customize with ribbon colors, decorative tags, or patterned paper for a unique touch.

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Very Easy)

Materials Needed

• Origami Paper (or any square sheet of paper)
• Hole Punch (for creating the opening at the top)
• Ribbon (for tying the bag closed)
• Scissors (only if you need to cut the ribbon)
• Glue or double sided tape

Instructions

Step 1: Start with the color you want your bag to be facing up.

Step 2: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold the left edge to meet the right edge.

Step 5: Unfold previous step.

Step 6: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 7: Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top right corner.

Step 8: Unfold previous step.

Step 9: Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the top left corner.

Step 10: Unfold previous step.

Step 11: Hold the left and right sides of the paper and bring the sides inwards and then down. Flatten the paper into a triangle shape. This is known as an origami water bomb base.

Step 12: Rotate your paper 180 degrees so that it sits as shown.

Step 13: Fold the bottom point up slightly. This will determine how wide your bag will be. You want to fold it so that the point is just below the midpoint of the paper. You can use the point shown in the picture as a guide.

Step 14: Fold the right side of the paper (top layer only) to the left, matching it’s edge with the point you folded up in the previous step.

Step 15: Fold that same flap back towards the right, matching it to the line shown.

Step 16: Repeat steps 14 and 15 for the left side (top layer only).

Step 17: Fold the 2 upper points into the bag. Important: Make sure you only fold the upper points over 1 layer and not 2. Otherwise you may not be able to open your bag out in the next steps. If unsure, you can apply glue or tape later. Apply some glue to hold them in place.

Step 18: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Tips For Success

• Make sharp folds – Crisp folds will help the pleats stand out. Use a bone folder if necessary for sharper creases.
• Customize the ribbon – Choose ribbon that suits the occasion (e.g., red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or bright colors for birthdays).
• Decorate your bag – Add stickers, stamps, or even a personal message to make the bag extra special.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Christmas – Use red, green, white, or gold paper to create festive gift bags.
• Valentine’s Day – Opt for red, pink, or heart-patterned paper to show your love.
• Easter – Light pastels like lavender, baby blue, or pale yellow are perfect for Easter.
• Weddings – Choose elegant shades like ivory, silver, or gold for a classy gift presentation.
• Birthday Parties – Bright, colorful paper will give your gift bags a fun and cheerful vibe.
• Anniversaries – Consider using metallic or romantic patterns like lace designs or floral prints.
• Baby Showers – Go for soft pastels like baby pink or mint green for a delicate touch.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• Butterfly Origami
• Cute Origami
• Origami Star Box
• Origami Chicken Egg Cup
• Dollar Tree Lantern
• Origami Lily Flower
• Origami Basket

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.