Christmas gift bags: drawstring, tote and jumbo
Prices checked on Amazon UK on 3 October 2026; they may have changed since. The price ranges and medians quoted in the text of this page come from the check of 29 September 2026. Ratings and review counts are those of Amazon shoppers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Christmas gift bags: packs, materials and sizes
Packs hold 2 to 34 bags, and prices run from about £4 to £17, with a median near £9 and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Pack price alone misleads, so divide it by the number of bags. In the listings here, packs of 30 or more come to under 50p a bag, against about £1 or more for packs of 5 or 6.
| Material | Style and size | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Foil (aluminium film) | Drawstring bags, often in sets of 30 or 32 from XS to XL | Glossy and light; some sets add ribbons or cords and mini cards |
| Non-woven fabric | Handle totes in packs of 5 to 12 | Reusable; listings call them wipe-clean or water-resistant |
| Paper | Flat-bottom bags, packs of 30 with stickers | Plain paper can go in paper recycling |
| Plastic and polypropylene | Jumbo sacks of 142 x 92 cm, drawstring bags of 23 x 23 x 35 cm | Cheapest way to cover a large present |
Gift bag sizes
Listings use XS to XL, and the centimetres tell you more. Handle bags run from 25 cm wide (10 inches) to 33 cm (13 inches), 40 cm and, in one pack of two, 60 x 40 cm, and drawstring bags from 23 x 23 x 35 cm to 51 x 39 cm. A mixed set can mislead: one 32-bag set holds only 4 extra large bags and 12 small ones.
| Present | Bag to look for |
|---|---|
| Paperback, 20 x 13 x 3 cm | Medium handle bag, 25 cm wide |
| Boxed jumper, 36 x 24 x 5 cm | Extra large handle bag, about 40 x 15 x 36 cm |
| Toy box, 45 x 30 x 10 cm | Tote of 60 x 40 x 15 cm, or a jumbo sack |
| Soft toys or several parcels | Drawstring bag, 51 x 39 cm |
Using Christmas gift bags
- Put the present in first and lay tissue paper over the top to hide it.
- Choose a bag that closes over the gift, since a drawstring or handles hold it shut.
- Fold fabric and foil bags flat after Christmas and keep them with the decorations, as the listings describe them as reusable.
- Plain paper bags can go in paper recycling. Foil, non-woven fabric and plastic cannot, so reuse them.
Gift bags suit large, soft and awkward presents. For clothes and fragile items, Christmas gift boxes give more protection, and the biggest sacks overlap with Santa sacks. How to wrap neatly is in how to wrap a present, and is wrapping paper recyclable? covers what to do with the leftovers. The whole range sits under gift wrapping and cards.
Frequently asked questions: Christmas Gift Bags
What size Christmas gift bag do I need?
Measure the present, then pick a bag that closes over it. A bag 25 cm wide takes a paperback, one of about 40 x 15 x 36 cm takes a boxed jumper, and a 60 x 40 x 15 cm bag takes a 45 x 30 x 10 cm toy box.
Are Christmas gift bags cheaper than wrapping paper?
Per present, large packs of bags cost about the same as sheets of wrapping paper in the listings here. A bag can be used again, which wrapping paper rarely is, and it takes seconds to fill.
Are drawstring gift bags reusable?
The listings describe fabric and foil drawstring bags as reusable, and they last for years if you fold them flat and keep them dry. Paper bags are the least durable of the group.
Can you recycle Christmas gift bags?
Plain paper bags can go in paper recycling. Foil, non-woven fabric and plastic bags cannot, so reuse them instead. Check your council’s rules if a bag has glitter or a plastic coating.
What are good Christmas gift bags for adults?
Plain paper bags and solid-colour totes, such as navy or green non-woven ones, look less childish than cartoon prints. Most listings use cartoon patterns, so check the picture before you order. Tissue paper on top finishes the look.
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