Trader Joe Shopping Bag Gift Tags
If you’re like me and you hate to spend money on gift tags (and wrapping paper!) that immediately get thrown away, then you’ll like today’s clever little upcycle: Trader Joe shopping bag gift tags.
I like them even more than store bought ones, don’t you?
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Materials for Trader Joe Grocery Bag Tags
- Trader Joe holiday bags
- Scissors
- Reinforcements
- Red paint or marker
- Jute or baker’s twine
Covered with red and white Victorian-style artwork, Trader Joe shopping bags are simply too beautiful to throw away.
These tags are perfect for just about any kind of Christmas package, but especially for rustic, farmhouse style wrapping.
I made them in three different sizes and produced more than twenty tags–total–from just one bag. My first step was to cut down one side of the bag, on a fold line, and then cut out the bottom.
Don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get the absolute “best” placement of the images. Use your paper cutter and start cutting out some tags.
I kinda just wung it and loved the results. Some of the tags contain portions of the Victorian celebrators, others more of the white decorations or musical notes.
After cutting out the tags using these various measurements, I then clipped the upper corners, to make them look more like shipping tags.
I also made some in bookmark size and didn’t clip their corners.
I painted some reinforcements with acrylic craft paint in a red, but you could also use a marker.
I punched holes in the tags and then applied the painted reinforcements. You can apply them to both the front and the back to make them extra sturdy.
Thread some jute through the holes and you’re ready to go. Alternatively you could use bakers twine or white string–whatever you have on hand.
Then it’s time to use them on your packages and stand back and smile because they are such darn-good-looking tags.
I decided to write the “to” and “from” on the back so as to not interfere with the designs, but writing names on the front in red pen would be perfectly fine.
Thanks Trader Joe’s for providing us with such classy fodder for our upcycling projects. Your shopping bags make great gift tags.
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Super cute! Perfect with those old fashioned noisemaker tots for a bottle of wine on NY Eve as a hoareas gift!
Hi Diana, I just love to recreate items. These bags are beautiful and what a great idea to use for tags. Thank you for inspiration. xx Jo
I LOVE this idea – so simple and just adorable. Guess I have to go buy something at Trader joes now. LOL.
I always save the nice paper bags. Love your idea!!!!
So clever Diana … you are one crafty lady. Love the tags.
I will certainly start looking at shopping bags a little differently.
Happy Christmas.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
So cute Diana. What a clever and creative re love of a shopping bag. Genius. Love this idea.
Kris
Such a great idea! I have had pretty bags but the advertising prevents me from using as gift bags. This si a great idea!
These are genuinely fun—and they give an excuse to go back to Trader Joe’s (as if I needed one)!
Hi Diana,
So pretty, I love their bags and have used them as wrapping paper before, but never tags – what a great idea…and a great idea to use the bag for tags, and you got a lot out of one bag!
Genius! 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!
Hugs, Kimberley
What a great idea, they turned out beautiful!
Tania
How clever ~ you come up with the best ideas! Yet another reason I long for a Trader Joe in our small town!
These are so CUTE! My brother and I are going to Eugene for his medical visit on Friday…he always asks me “sis, anything you want to do?” and I always so “nope”. BUT, this time I’m going to tell I want to go to Trader Joe’s! I’m sure I can find something to buy so I can get one of those bags!!! Best ~ Mickie
Great idea! I”m crushing on the snowflake tags.
GREAT re-purposing and beautiful idea!
So clever and so pretty! I have a bunch of these bags because I didn’t want to throw them away! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
These are brilliant ! I love making my own tags and repurposing stuff, I’ve made denim ones and postage stamp ones this year. This is a great idea and tutorial and your tags look lovely. I like the tip about painting the reinforcements.
Diana, I absolutely love these tags! I didn’t make it to Trader Joe’s once this holiday season. Wanted to, but never got around to it. Have a bit of a drive to get to one. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Hi Diana, love your tags and will be featuring them at SYC today.
hugs,
Jann
Oh I just love these cute tags, and they are such a great idea. Reuse & recycle in action! 🙂 Pam
Wow! I love this idea. I can never resist pretty and unique Christmas gift tags– definitely pinning this one. Thanks for sharing.
Love it; I am always on the lookout for stuff to make tags from as I give a lot of small gifts to a lot of people. One year I cut up the box the candy canes came in! Never underestimate your imagination and a pair of funky scissors!