DIY Christmas Goodie Bags for Homemade Christmas Treats
One of my favourite Christmas traditions is baking homemade treats for family and friends and packaging them into beautiful Christmas goodie bags to take home after our celebrations. Not only do they make wonderful edible gifts, but they also double as part of the Christmas table styling and help make gatherings feel extra thoughtful and special.
Over the years I’ve created Christmas goodie bags using everything from brown paper bags to coloured gift bags, but these days I tend to keep things simple and timeless by starting with plain white bags purchased in bulk.
The best part about DIY Christmas goodie bags is that you can completely customise them to suit your Christmas theme, tablescape or decorating style.
Why I Love Making Christmas Goodie Bags
There’s something so lovely about sending guests home with homemade baking packaged beautifully and thoughtfully.
For me, Christmas entertaining is about creating moments that feel warm and personal rather than perfect. Handmade goodie bags are one of those small details that make guests feel truly cared for.
I also love that they become part of the Christmas table decor itself, especially when styled alongside candles, greenery and layered place settings.
Creating a Vintage Christmas Theme
A few years ago, I found several old family recipes that had belonged to my grandmother and great aunt. That discovery inspired an entire vintage-themed Christmas.
Not only did I use the old recipes for the baking itself, but I also created:
- Vintage-inspired Christmas goodie bags
- A nostalgic Christmas tablescape
- Handmade recipe books for guests to take home
It became one of my favourite Christmas themes we’ve ever done because it felt meaningful, personal and connected to family memories.
How to Make DIY Christmas Goodie Bags
Creating Christmas goodie bags is actually very simple and can easily be customised for any Christmas style.
Start with Plain Gift Bags
I usually begin with plain white gift bags because they:
- Work with any colour palette
- Feel timeless and elegant
- Allow the decorations to stand out
- Are easy to buy in bulk
Starting with a neutral base also makes it much easier to coordinate the bags with the rest of your Christmas table decor.
Choosing Scrapbooking Papers and Decorations
Once I have the bags ready, I pull out all my craft supplies and look for scrapbook papers that suit the overall Christmas theme.
I particularly love using smaller scrapbook paper pads because:
- The colours and patterns already coordinate
- They often include matching tags and embellishments
- The smaller scale works perfectly for gift bags
If you don’t already have craft supplies at home, stores like Spotlight have beautiful scrapbooking papers and Christmas embellishments available.
Adding Extra Detail with Glitter and Layering
To give the bags a more special and cohesive look, I often add a few extra handmade details.
For these vintage Christmas goodie bags, I used:
- Mod Podge
- Fine gold glitter
- Black cardstock for layering
- Black ribbon for the handles
Using gold glitter on small details like berries or leaves helped tie the bags into the Christmas tablescape beautifully.
Layering the scrapbook papers over black cardstock also added contrast and helped the designs stand out more clearly against the white bags.
Assembling the Christmas Goodie Bags
To attach everything neatly, I used:
- Glue tape for the paper layers
- Glue tape to attach the decorations to the bags
- Ribbon tied around the handles for the finishing touch
The process is actually very relaxing and one of those Christmas crafting projects I genuinely look forward to every year.
The Giving Plate: An Alternative to Christmas Goodie Bags
If you love homemade Christmas gifting but want an alternative to gift bags, the “Giving Plate” idea is another beautiful option.
A few years ago I created personalised giving plates using:
- Large rectangular plates for families
- Smaller round plates for singles or couples
Using permanent markers, I hand-wrote verses and small decorative details directly onto the plates.
To set the design:
- Place the plates into a cold oven
- Set the oven to 180°C
- Bake for 30 minutes once heated
- Allow the plates to cool completely inside the oven
The result is a beautiful reusable plate perfect for sharing homemade Christmas treats.
Homemade Christmas Baking Gift Ideas
Christmas goodie bags and giving plates work beautifully filled with:
- Christmas cookies
- Rocky road
- Rum balls
- Slices and brownies
- Fudge
- Homemade shortbread
- Mini cakes and muffins
I especially love gifting baked goods because they feel thoughtful, personal and homemade in the best possible way.
Final Thoughts on DIY Christmas Goodie Bags
DIY Christmas goodie bags are such a simple way to make your Christmas entertaining feel extra special.
Whether you choose a vintage theme, natural styling or classic Christmas colours, these little handmade details help create memories that guests genuinely remember.
And honestly, I think homemade baking wrapped beautifully will always feel far more meaningful than something quickly purchased from a store.
If you’re looking for recipes to fill your Christmas goodie bags or giving plates, you can also explore my recipe collection filled with homemade baking ideas perfect for gifting and entertaining.
