Christmas Gift Bags Guide: How to Choose the Right One

What are Christmas gift bags?

Christmas is all about giving. Plenty of thought goes into choosing the right gift, but the presentation often ends up rushed.

According to an M&S survey, 34% of Brits leave their wrapping until 19th December, just six days before Christmas.

Yet the way a gift is presented matters just as much as what's inside.

Christmas gift bags are a simple way to present gifts without wrapping them individually. The right bag should fit and support the present while matching its character and the occasion.

This guide explains how to choose the right size, material and finish, whether you're giving a single present or ordering branded bags for your business.

Choose a bag that fits the gift

Start with the size, shape and weight of the present.

A bag that's too small will look overstuffed and put strain on the handles. Too large, and the present can slide around or look lost inside. Somewhere in between, the bag fits just right.

Measure the gift

Gift bag sizes are listed as three measurements: width × height × gusset.

• Width is the measurement across the front of the bag.
• Height runs from the base to the top opening, not including the handles.
• Gusset is the side panel that gives the bag its depth.

To find the right bag, measure your gift in the same three ways: across the front, top to bottom, and front to back. Then compare your measurements with the bag sizes.

To hit the Goldilocks zone, choose a bag that's slightly larger than the gift on each measurement, so it slides in comfortably.

Christmas gift bag size chart

Use these popular sizes as a starting point. All sizes are width × height × gusset, in millimetres.

Every bag is made to order, so if your gift falls between sizes, it can be produced to your exact measurements. See our bag size guide for more on how bags are measured.

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Consider the shape and weight

While the gift’s shape determines the style of bag you need, its weight determines how strong that bag should be.

Here’s how different bags suit different gifts:

• Small bags suit jewellery, cosmetics and small accessories.
• Medium bags work well for books and boxed gifts, while large bags suit clothing.
• Bottle bags are designed for wine, champagne and spirits.
• Wide-gusset bags are better for large or awkwardly shaped presents.
• Bespoke bags are made to measure, so they’re ideal for gifts that don’t fit standard sizes.

Select the right material

Material affects the bag’s strength, appearance and whether it can be reused or recycled.

Gift bag materials compared

Kraft gift bags

Kraft gift bags are a practical option for most Christmas presents.

Natural and versatile, they can be dressed up with ribbon, twine, stamps or personalised tags.

Plain, uncoated paper is generally easier to recycle than laminated or heavily decorated materials. However, handles, adhesives and other additions may need to be removed first.

Luxury gift bags

Luxury gift bags are often made from thicker paper and may include matt or gloss lamination, reinforced bases and rope or ribbon handles.

They complement jewellery, cosmetics, premium clothing and other special presents.

Finishes such as foil, embossing and printed ribbon lend a sense of occasion, making the bag feel like part of the gift.

Fabric gift bags

Fabric bags and drawstring pouches offer a softer, reusable alternative.

Cotton, canvas or jute bags can be used for clothing and larger presents, while smaller pouches are ideal for jewellery, cosmetics and keepsakes.

A fabric bag may also become part of the present and can later be used for storage or travel.

Match the bag to the occasion

Who is the gift for, and what feeling do you want it to create?

Each material has its own look and conveys a different impression.

A natural kraft bag may complement a handmade gift, while a structured laminated bag with ribbon handles may suit something more luxurious. A colourful illustrated bag could work for a child. By contrast, a simple design may be more appropriate for a colleague.

The style of the bag should match the occasion in which it is given. For example:

1. Kraft paper for handmade or natural gifts
2. A luxury bag for jewellery or premium cosmetics
3. A bottle bag for wine, champagne or spirits
4. A colourful paper bag for a child
5. A small fabric pouch for a personal keepsake

Either way, the right bag should feel like a natural extension of the gift, reflecting both the occasion and the person receiving it.

Christmas gift bags for businesses

Retailers, hospitality venues and brands often use Christmas gift bags as part of their seasonal packaging, not just as gift wrap. A printed gift bag can carry your usual branding while adding festive artwork, seasonal colours or a Christmas message.

When ordering for your business, consider:

• The products inside. List what the bags need to hold and check them against the size chart above. One versatile size keeps ordering simple, while two or three sizes cover a wider range of products.
• Your branding. Decide whether your logo leads the design, or whether festive artwork takes centre stage with your logo alongside.
• Finishes. Hot foil, spot UV, lamination and ribbon handles all add a premium feel, particularly on luxury gift bags.
• Life after Christmas. A design with subtle winter touches, rather than an obvious Christmas theme, can stay in use well into the New Year.
• Timing. Printed bags are made to order, and demand peaks in the run-up to Christmas. Ordering early leaves time for artwork approval, production and delivery.

If you're planning festive packaging for your customers, our guide to Christmas shopping bags covers how branded bags can carry your brand through the busiest retail season.

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Personalise your Christmas gift bag

A personal touch makes your gift feel one of a kind and thoughtfully chosen. Even a small detail can make the presentation more meaningful.

Add a name or festive message

Adding the recipient’s name immediately makes the bag feel more personal.

Printed with a festive line such as “Put a Little Hendrick’s in Your Festivities”, a bag becomes part of the celebration.

Ways to personalise the bag include:

• The recipient’s name
• A handwritten Christmas message
• A personalised gift tag
• A striking piece of festive artwork (see image)
• A short reference to a shared memory or joke

A message connected to Christmas makes the bag feel more distinctive and memorable while complementing the occasion.

Add finishing details

Tissue paper, ribbon, tags, stamps, twine and small pieces of foliage can complete the gift bag. That said, a few well-chosen details are more striking than an overcrowded bag.

For a custom printed bag, finishes can take the presentation a step further. Hot foil lends a metallic shine to a name or festive motif, while spot UV adds a glossy highlight to selected parts of the artwork.

Used together or on their own, both draw the eye to the details you want the recipient to notice first.

Inside printing adds one final surprise. Printed on the base of the bag, a short message stays hidden until the gift is lifted out.

Decide whether the bag should be reused

Although gift bags are often treated as single-use, 48% of the 2,003 Britons in a survey cited by Business Waste said they planned to reuse them. That makes durable materials and removable personalisation worth considering.

For a bag to be reused, it needs to retain its strength and appearance after the gift is opened.

A reusable gift bag should therefore have:

• Strong handles
• A reinforced or durable base
• Sturdy material to resist wear and tear
• Removable tags or personal messages
• Material that withstands storage

Will the bag be kept and reused, or recycled if its materials allow? Knowing this will guide how much strength and decoration it needs.

A bag intended for one gift

For a small, lightweight present, a simple paper bag may be the best option. It can be personalised directly with the recipient’s name and a personal Christmas message.

The priorities are choosing the right size, making it personal and checking whether the material can be recycled after use.

A bag designed to be reused

For a premium or heavier gift, a strong kraft, luxury paper or fabric bag may be more suitable.

Choose a timeless design and place the recipient’s name on a removable tag. This allows the bag to be reused for another person or purpose in the future.

Choosing the right Christmas gift bag

Start with the size of the gift, then choose a material that suits its weight and character. Match the design to the person and the occasion, add a personal touch, and decide whether the bag is meant to be kept. For businesses, a printed gift bag brings all of that together and puts your brand at the heart of the Christmas season.

Whether you need bags for a seasonal promotion, corporate gifts or your Christmas retail range, our team can help you choose the right size, material and finish.

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