How to Make DIY Reindeer Gift Bags

Make your own CUTE DIY Reindeer Gift Bags with this simple guide. They’re an easy, fun, kid-friendly Christmas craft and the perfect handmade Christmas gift bag idea.

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These DIY Reindeer Gift Bags were one of the BEST sellers in my etsy shop – Love Mischka. Each year, I made SO many. They were also one of my favorite items to make. They’re so easy, quick, and adorable.

I recently switched to only printable items in my shop, so I wanted to show people how to make these adorable Reindeer Gift Bags on their own.

I still love to use these as my Christmas gift bags. And people seem to love receiving gifts in them. Sometimes, I think people like the DIY Reindeer Gift Bags more than the actual gifts inside! 😂

DIY Reindeer Gift Bags

These DIY Reindeer Gift Bags are simple, but ADORABLE! They were inspired by these DIY Reindeer Candy Canes.

I would show you the very first Reindeer Gift Bag that I made in 2013… but, it’s a bit embarrassing. I was on the right track though! I sent it to my old roommate who lives in Spain. She adored it.

This DIY guide will show you how to make the most recent, and cutest, design.

Materials Needed for 1 DIY Reindeer Gift Bag

1 Brown Bag. This DIY craft will work on any sized bag.

I used one that measures 4.5″ x 2″ x 5.75”. Unfortunately, this size is incredibly hard to find. I actually regret designing all the bags in my shop at this size because only one retailer seems to carry it. I am not going to recommend them because the quality of the bags has DRASTICALLY diminished. EVERY bag in the pack has been falling apart. I waste SO much time putting them back together. It’s incredibly frustrating. I found a different brand on Amazon!!!! Fun Express – Brown Paper Gift Bags are the same sized bags that I use for all my goodie bags.

You can check out my other goodie bags at Easy DIY Printable Goodie Bags.

Red Glitter Cardstock. This is available on Amazon – Bright Creations Glitter Cardstock Paper. But, it’s usually cheaper at Michaels. You can also use the link before to save even more.

Click here to get 20% off All Regular Price Purchases at Michaels

White Cardstock. I use Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock. It’s high quality, bright, and durable.

Black Cardstock. Neenah Paper Astrobrights Colored Cardstock is my favorite.

Glue and/or Double-Sided Tape. I’m obsessed with these Fullmark Adhesive Rollers. I use them on most of my orders. They stick very, very well. I also use this Double-Sided Permanent Tape on my orders.

My favorite glue roller and double-sided tape.

Brown Pipe Cleaners. I use ones that are about 12 inches long. eBoot Pipe Cleaners tend to shed less when cut.

I have used other brands that just fall apart. Fuzz everywhere. I have to keep trimming the bare wire. Then the little wire bits magnetize to my laptop charger. It’s a mess.

The eBoot Pipe Cleaners are the better ones though.

A close-up of those pipe cleaners in action!

Tools Needed for DIY Reindeer Gift Bags

Scissors. I honestly don’t know what I would do without my Martha Stewart Precision Scissors. I thought I lost a pair at a craft fair. They were missing for WEEKS. I felt like my work suffered. And, I’m being completely serious.

These scissors help to cut perfect, precise lines. My work does not look the same without them. Fortunately, I found my pair… after buying a new one… Isn’t that how it always works? BUT, now I have two!! Woo woo! These scissors are a must for every crafter.

2.5 inch Hole Puncher. This is for the Reindeer’s nose and the white parts of its eyes. I use Fiskars Circle Lever Punch, XX-Large.

1.5 inch Hole Puncher. This is for the black part of the reindeer’s eyes. I use EK Success Large Punch-Circle, 1.5″.

Michaels also sells Hole Punchers. Click HERE to receive 20% off All Regular Price Purchases at Michaels.com.

How to Make DIY Reindeer Gift Bags

These directions are for ONE DIY Reindeer Gift Bag.

1. Use the 2.5 inch hole puncher to cut two circles out of the white cardstock.

2. Use the 2.5 inch hole puncher to cut one circle out of the red glitter cardstock.

3. Punch out two black circles with the 1.5 inch hole puncher.

4. Sketch (or trace) the tiny black mouth then cut it out with scissors.

I included a close-up of my design so you can use it as a reference. You are also welcome to print it then cut it. If you do this, please make sure the mouth is the size you want before pressing print. It’s possible that it may print waaayy too big, if you do not adjust it.

5. Cut two small pieces of the double-sided tape. Put one piece on one side of each black circle. If you are just using a glue roller, roll it on one side of each black circle.

6. Peel off the backing on the tape and stick one black circle on one white circle. Repeat with the other black and white circles.

7. Cut and place tape on the backs of the two white circles and the one red glitter circle. If you are using a glue roller, roll glue on the backs of each circle.

8. Peel off the backs of the tape and stick the circles on the brown bag.

9. Use the glue roller to glue the tiny mouth to the bag. You can also cut a tiny piece of double-sided tape to do this. I just like how the glue roller holds down the edges. It’s also easier.

DIY Reindeer Gift Bags – The Antlers

10. Take two brown pipe cleaners. Cut about 3 inches off of one end. Put all the pieces to the side.

11. Take 4 pipe cleaners, bend them in half, and cut. You should now have 8 pieces that are around 6 inches in length.

12. Put 4 of the 6-inch pieces to the side. Take the other 4 pieces, bend them in half, and cut at the bend. You should now have 8 pieces that are around 3 inches long. (10 pieces if you include the pieces from step 10).

Wrapping Time – One Antler

13. Take 1 of the long pipe cleaners (9 inches). At about 2 inches from one end, wrap a 6-inch pipe cleaner. Wrap it around 6-7 times. Have both sides end on one side of the main (9 inch) pipe cleaner.

14. At about an inch below where you wrapped the last 6-inch pipe cleaner, wrap another 6-inch pipe cleaner. Twist it around 6-7 times.

15. Take 1 of the smallest pipe cleaners (3 inches) and wrap it around one side of the wrapped 6-inch pipe cleaner. I almost said “one end”, but it should be about an inch from the actual end of the pipe cleaner. I chose to wrap it around the top right piece.

16. Wrap 1 of the 3-inch pipe cleaners around one side of a different 6-inch pipe cleaner. I chose the bottom right one. Once again, wrap it about 1 inch from the actual end of the pipe cleaner.

17. Wrap 1 of the 3-inch pipe cleaners around one side of a wrapped 3-inch pipe cleaner. I chose the top piece of the bottom right pipe cleaner… if that makes sense. Please see the photo below.

18. Wrap 1 of the 3-inch pipe cleaners around the original 9-inch pipe cleaner. It is the second from the bottom on the left.

Time for the Second Antler

19. Repeat steps 13-18.

20. Bend and twist the pipe cleaners to look like Reindeer antlers. Play around with them until you like how they look.

21. Take 1 antler. Wrap the bottom (well, several inches from the bottom. This depends on your desired look and the size of your bag. You should have more than enough pipe cleaner for all sizes) around one side of the front handle of the brown bag.

22. I also wrap the singular pipe cleaner of the antlers (bottom left) around the middle to top side of the handle. This is to secure the antlers in place.