Why did I collect airplane barf bags and paper grocery bags for an entire year? I’m so glad you asked! It was to make these viral DIY paper bag snowflakes, of course!
These snowflakes are so fun and easy to make! They are great for holiday decor and you can use them in so many ways. I like to put them on my 12 foot Christmas tree as oversized ornaments, but they look great hanging from the ceiling, on stairways or mantles too! Plus you can make them in various sizes, depending on what size paper bags you decide to use. The possibilities are endless and each one is unique, just like real snowflakes!
How do you make paper bag snowflakes? The quick version: Stack 8 flat paper bags and run a line of hot glue down the center of each to join them, cut the stack into a point and notch out a pattern along the edges like a folded paper snowflake, then fan the whole stack open into a circle and tape the ends together. One snowflake uses 8 bags, and every one turns out unique. Full step-by-step below. 👇
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Here’s everything you need to make them:
- 8 Paper Bags (makes 1 snowflake)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Hot Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Scotch Tape
- Small Hole Punch
- Ornament Hangers, String or Fishing Wire
STEP 1: Take 8 bags and glue them together by running a bead of hot glue right down the center of the bag longways and across the middle of the bottom fold. All the bags should be facing the same direction with the bottom fold facing up. You don’t want to glue the edges because most of that will be cut off.
STEP 2: With sturdy scissors, cut from about halfway down the middle of the bag up to the middle of the top in a V shape on both sides to create a point.
STEP 3: Now comes the fun part! cut along the edge of the V shape and notch out small pieces along the square bottom pieces. You can also use a hole punch to make more intricate designs. You can find templates for these snowflakes, but I prefer to make it up as a go so they are all different and unique, just like actual snowflakes! There is no right or wrong way, experiment and have fun with this!
HOT TIP: You can open it up and check how it looks and always go back and add more cuts to your design.
STEP 4: Once you’re happy with the cutouts, unfold the stack of bags from the top point and connect them in a circle. You can glue it together, but I prefer to use scotch tape to connect them so that I can take them apart and store them flat for the following year. They store really nicely this way and don’t take up much space.
If you’re going to hang them up, punch a hole in one of the points and thread a piece of string or fishing line through the hole. I just put them on my tree as giant ornaments so there is no need for this extra step. They do look really cool on stair banisters or hanging above a dining table so you can get creative with how you use them!
You can also make different sizes depending on the size bag you’re using! I’ve used barf bags from airplanes, small gift bags and grocery bags from Trader Joe’s to make really large ones!
Of course you can also decorate them any way you like! One person commented on my YouTube video that they would look pretty if you add some glitter and I agree! Have fun with it! Go nuts!
I do have a full tutorial on YouTube if you need some extra guidance. I’ve linked it HERE.
Common Questions About Paper Bag Snowflakes
How many paper bags do I need per snowflake?
Eight bags makes one full snowflake. Want a bigger snowflake? Use bigger bags, since the bag size sets the finished size.
What kind of paper bags work best?
Flat-bottom paper bags like lunch sacks, small gift bags, or grocery bags for jumbo ones. Lighter-weight paper is easier to cut through all 8 layers at once.
Do I need a template?
Nope! Freehand it and cut as you go so every snowflake comes out unique. Open it up to check the pattern, then go back in and add more cuts wherever you like.
How do I store them?
Tape the ends together instead of gluing, so you can pull them apart and store them flat, ready to re-tape next year. They take up almost no space.
🎄 Love this project? Let’s make them together!
I’m hosting a live Holiday Craft Night Series where we’ll make 4 beginner-friendly, festive projects together.
Think cozy nights, hot cocoa, and handmade gifts, all from your kitchen table.
If this DIY got your creative wheels turning, you’ll love what we’re doing next!
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👉 Join the Craft Night Series here
I’d love to make these with you at the first Holiday Craft Night! But if you can’t wait to make them, I totally understand. Hope you have fun making these! I’d love to see how you decorate with them!
I’ll be sharing holiday crafts each week so be sure to subscribe!
About the author: I’m Selene Teitelbaum, the DIYer behind Selene Builds Things. After renovating my entire home, I started sharing beginner-friendly tutorials so anyone can pick up a power tool (or a pair of scissors) and make something they’re proud of. More about me →
Until next time,
Happy DIY-ing!
-Selene
