Paper Bag Snowflake Secrets! My Epic Paper Bag Fail & Your Flawless Finish

Paper bag snowflake disaster? ❄️ Don’t worry, I made all the mistakes so you can SLAY! Read on to get my secrets & tips for creating a winter wonderland inside your home on a dime!

Imagine: Fluffy snowflakes swirling outside, cozy fire crackling inside, and you, crafting delicate paper bag snowflakes… only your creation ends up looking more like a crumpled sock puppet than a winter wonderland masterpiece. Been there!

But fear not, because I’ve stumbled through the craft store aisles and tripped over glitter puddles to bring you the secrets to flawless paper bag snowflakes. Trust me, with my epic fail as your cautionary tale (and a few handy tips!), you’ll be turning brown bags into frosty masterpieces faster than you can say “blizzard-ready.”

So grab your scissors, a sprinkle of patience, and get ready to unleash your inner snowflake artist – without the tears and paper-bag-induced tantrums. Buckle up, because winter crafting just got a whole lot easier (and way more fabulous)!

Wait until you see how beautiful they look and how easy paper bag snowflakes are to make!

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About Paper Bag Snowflakes

Paper bag snowflakes are a creative and simple craft made by folding, cutting, and unfolding paper bags to resemble delicate snowflake designs. To create them, you typically start with a plain paper lunch bag. They are really easy to make and look so pretty and festive when hung. It’s a great activity to do with the kids or grandkids before or even after the holidays.

How Many Lunch Bags Does It Take To Make a Snowflake?

To achieve a full, 3-dimensional look, I suggest using 8 or 9 paper bags. The lunch bags are easier to use because they are made from thinner paper. And I also like the look of white and brown paper bag snowflakes so you can’t go wrong with either.

How Do You Make a Snowflake Out of Paper Bag?

It’s very similar to cutting snowflakes from paper, except it has a twist. To make it 3-dimensional, we have to glue several paper bags together to get the full effect. This might sound more complicated than it is. But using hot glue to make the snowflakes is much easier than using something like Elmer’s because you need that quick adherence.

How to Make Snowflakes with Paper Bags

Making lunch bag snowflakes is such an easy craft to do, especially with kids. And it takes minutes to make. I love the 3-dimensional look together with Christmas decor. It’s magical!

You could really have fun with these too by making each one unique and different. White or brown paper bags look so pretty. But I bet you could even paint or stain the bags to make them different colors. I haven’t tried it, but if you do, let me know how it goes!

Supplies Needed to Make Paper Snowflakes

It’s pretty straightforward to make paperbag snowflakes. Here’s what you need to get started with these three-dimensional beauties.

• Paper Bags (Brown or White)
• Sharp Scissors
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Hot Glue Gun
• Fishing Line
• Clear Tape
• Hole puncher

Directions to Make Paper Bag Snowflakes

Are you ready to make these festive snowflakes made from paper bags? Here’s how to make snowflakes with paper bags.

• Gather supplies.
• If the bags you are using have handles, cut them off.
• Use 8 bags per snowflake
• Take the first bag and run a strip of hot glue from top to bottom in the center.
• Then run the second strip of hot glue from left to right at the bottom of the bag.
• Quickly lay the second bag on top and press down. You’ll need to work quickly so the glue doesn’t dry before you seal them together.
• After gluing all 8 together, make your snowflake cutouts. This could be as simple as just snipping off the upper corners of the bag. Or you can be more decorative about it and snip off some extra half circles and triangles on the sides.
• Then take one side of the snowflake and repeat the glue process.
• Open the snowflake so one end of the paper bag meets the other. Press and seal so it now looks like a big snowflake.

Hanging the Paperbag Snowflakes

• Punch a hole in the top to string fishing line through. If you don’t have a hold puncher, you can use an exacto knife or punch a needle through.
• String each snowflake and bring the line up so both ends meet.
• Add a piece of clear tape about 2-3″ from the end of the fishing lines.
• Attach to ceiling. (Note: the tape could damage the paint on the ceiling, so you could also tack it in.)

Avoiding the Avalanche: 7 Common Paper Bag Snowflake Faux Pas

We’ve all been there. You envision a winter wonderland of beautiful paper bag snowflakes adorning your windows and ceiling, but your reality ends up looking more like a blizzard of crumpled, messed up chaos. Before you declare war on scissors and glue sticks, let’s chat about some common paper bag snowflake DIY mistakes and turn your snowy dreams into shimmering reality.

While I was making this winter craft, I made a few of these mistakes and learned the hard way while making them. Here’s what you need to know to create flawless paper bag snowflakes.

Mistake #1: Cutting Too Close to the Bottom

Remember that seam at the bottom of the paper bag? It’s like the unsung hero holding your snowflake together. Cutting too close to it (or worse, into it!) is a recipe for disaster. Imagine your snowflake gracefully unfolding into a beautiful star… only to have its legs fall off at the ankles. Ouch! Stick to snipping above the seam, and your snowflake will remain structurally sound even after a playful gust of wind.

Mistake #2: The Symmetry Struggle

Achieving perfectly symmetrical snowflakes can be tricky, especially if you’re freehanding your cuts. But there are ways to tame the chaos! Focus on creating clean cuts in the bags to ensure your snowflake emerges with twin arms and equal-sized branches. More on how to do this is below!

Mistake #3: Glue Gone Rogue

Glue is fantastic, but overzealous application can turn your snowflake into a sticky mess. Resist the urge to slather it on like frosting on a cake! A few strategic dots where the layers meet are all you need. Applying too much glue can make your snowflake heavy and prone to drooping, plus it leaves unsightly globs that take away from its delicate beauty. Remember, less is more when it comes to glue-ifying your frosty masterpiece.

Mistake #5: The Gooey Glue Trap

Choosing the wrong glue can turn your snowflake craft session into a sticky situation (literally!). While Elmer’s might be your go-to glue buddy, it’s not the best match for making paper bag snowflakes. Regular liquid glue can take forever to dry, leaving you holding limp layers and frustrated sighs because the snowflakes won’t hold together as well, or as quickly! Even worse, overzealous application can soak through the paper, creating unsightly lumps and weakening the delicate structure. Do yourself a favor, and use a hot glue gun!

Mistake #6: The Tangled Thread Trap

You’ve crafted a stunning snowflake, and now it’s time to showcase it! But before you grab the string, take a moment to consider its placement. Threading through the center can leave your snowflake lopsided and prone to tilting. Instead, try a strategic corner placement or even thread two strings diagonally to create a balanced, hanging masterpiece. Bonus points for using glittery string – instant winter wonderland vibes!

Mistake #7: The Handle Havoc & Thickness Trap

Remember mistake #2 when we talked about symmetry? Not all paper bags are created equal, especially when it comes to crafting frosty masterpieces. This is where I messed up my paper bag snowflakes. My snowflakes look OK, but they would look SO MUCH BETTER had I used the right paper bags!

While the urge to repurpose that fancy shopping bag with sparkly handles might be strong, resist it! Handles add unwanted bulk and awkward angles, making intricate cuts and symmetrical designs a near-impossible feat. It’s more work to cut them off and you’ll likely end up with a lopsided snowflake that resembles a deflated hot air balloon rather than a winter wonderland wonder.

Similarly, steer clear of thicker paper bags like grocery sacks. Although sturdy, their extra heft makes them clumsy under the scissor and can result in blunt, uneven cuts that detract from the delicate beauty of a snowflake. I did this and it was much harder to make the snowflake designs using bags like this. Brown or white lunch bags work best. They’re the perfect balance of sturdiness and flexibility, offering a clean-cut canvas for your snowflake artistry.

Conclusion

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to crafting paper bag snowflakes that are a far cry from crumpled sock puppets. Embrace the fun, the occasional giggle at a wonky cut, and the joy of transforming simple paper bags into frosty works of art.

Remember, even the most seasoned crafters have their share of snow-globe-worthy bloopers. So channel your inner Elsa, let your creativity flow, and get ready to sprinkle your home with a blizzard of beautiful, handcrafted snowflakes!

More About Making Snowflakes With Paper Bags

Have you ever made paper bag snowflakes before? Did you make the same mistake I did? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

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Want to Learn How to Decorate With Fresh Greens for the Holidays?

Sign up here to get my email and get a discount on my ebook, 15 Easy Ways to Decorate With Fresh Greens for the Holidays which offers beautiful, budget-friendly, and sustainable holiday decorating inspiration using fresh greens from the landscape.

This 40-page guide is full of simple DIY holiday decorating ideas that include how to cut, care for, and design with fresh greens, as well as tips to purchase and incorporate faux greens with your holiday decorating style to create a cozy, beautiful, and organic vibe.

From porch styling to cozy centerpiece and tablescape inspiration, wait until you try these budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas using fresh greens for every room in your home.

Looking For More Christmas Decorating Ideas?

Wait until you see these holiday decorating, entertaining, and food ideas to create a cozy home for Christmas.

• 23 Inspiring Christmas Aesthetics for 2022
• Vintage Farmhouse Christmas 2022 Home Tour
• Flocked Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas and More
• How to Make a Christmas Kissing Ball
• How to Make Scented Gift Tags
• First Christmas in Our New Home Tour
• Last Christmas in Our Home Tour
• Christmas Tree Ornament Storage Hack (Tiktok Made Me Do It)
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• 13 Simple Christmas Decorating Ideas for Your Home
• How to Make an Advent Wreath
• Winter Gardening With Outdoor Planters
• 5 Clever Ideas for the Prettiest Christmas Table Settings
• 17 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas
• Easy Outdoor Planters for Winter
• Budget-Friendly Winter Outdoor Planters

Want to Give the Gift of Flower Gardening This Year for the Holidays?

If you or someone you know has always wanted to grow flowers with ease, I got you. I wrote a book that shares all the things you need to know to grow a beautiful and easy-care flower garden. And it would make the perfect gift for Christmas!

What’s In the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide?

• Gardening basics to set you up for success
• Great garden design ideas with ready-made plans for you to follow
• Easy-care instructions for a wide variety of flowering annuals, perennials, and shrubs
• Helpful how-tos for container and cut flower gardening
• Graphs, charts, and lists to help you stay organized

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Preorder your copy here and get a free, downloadable guide that shares bonus information with tips and unique garden designs to get year-round color in your landscape. Offer ends 2/5/24.

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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

The 10 Days of Christmas

Did you catch the 10 days of Christmas where my friends and I shared daily inspiration to get you psyched up and ready for the holidays?

From Christmas decorating ideas to gift-wrapping ideas, these posts have you covered with lots of creative and budget-friendly ideas.

In case you missed it, you can catch the 10 Days of Christmas lineup here:

• Day 1 – Christmas DIY Ideas
• Day 2 – Front Porch Decorating Ideas
• Day 3 – Christmas Tree Ideas
• Day 4 – Christmas Table Decor Ideas
• Day 5 – Christmas Cookies and Sweet Treats
• Day 6 – Christmas Decorating Ideas
• Day 7 – Bloggers’ Favorite Christmas Idea
• Day 8 – Gift Wrapping Ideas
• Day 9 – Wreaths & Front Door Decor
• Day 10 – Winter Greenery