Nothing against gift bags, but I just love wrapping up a box...although every once in awhile we give a gift that just won't work in a box. In the past I have sewed up a simple bag, but I have another option too.
Take a plain paper grocery bag (which I trimmed down a little) and a piece of 12x12 patterned paper folded in half. Punch holes to tie ribbon or twine and tie a gift tag on. We recently gave a birthday gift that included a big mason jar tumbler, some tea and a tin to store it in...when I couldn't find a box to fit it all, into a bag it went.
