Christmas gift wrapping idea

WRAPPING WITH PAPER bags is an easy way to pack holiday gifts--especially odd-shaped ones. But finding a good way to keep the bags shut can provide a challenge for any gift-wrapper.

Here, large folded cards slip over bag handles to keep contents concealed. You can design individual cards to suit the personality of the recipient, and the cards' generous size allows plenty of space to write holiday greetings.

MATERIALS

You can find solid-color bags in various sizes at stationery and gift-wrap stores; small bags (5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches) cost about 90 cents, larger ones (13 by 15 inches) $1.

For the cards, we used tag-board, construction paper, and solid-color gift-wrap in colors that provided bold contrast to the bags. Also have on hand a craft knife for cutting. Pinking shears and a hole punch are optional (for the cat card, we used pinking shears; a hole punch made the dots on the necktie and the snowflakes over the jagged trees).

MAKING THE CARDS

Measure your bag, then outline the design for the card on paper folded in half. To allow a slit for the bag handles, the top of the design (at the fold) should exceed the handles' width by at least an inch on either side. The card should be at least an inch shorter than the bag.

Cut the card's outline through the two layers of paper. Then cut out details, such as eyes and noses; you can leave the back of the card plain or make additional cut-outs for a two-sided display.

Write your greeting, and slip the card over the handles of an appropriate bag. Staple it to foil pre-Christmas peekers.