This is one of those things I really love; making simple things just a little bit special by being homemade. At last years favorite things party, I took a very simple gift (chocolate and nail polish) and wanted it to look a little bit dressed up, so I made gift bags out of scrapbook paper to package them. It really didn't seem like a big thing to me since I do this quite often, but at the party this year (yes, one whole year later), friends were still commenting "remember those bags you made last year?" I'm a little surprised that it made such an impact but as is often the case in life, it really is the little things people remember.
With gift giving season rapidly approaching, I wanted to start getting ready for all the little things I'm going to package and figured it was a good time to write up how I do this. There are no fancy tools required. All you need is scrapbook paper or lightweight cardstock, a ruler, something to score the paper with (I've used a pen lid, popsicle stick, or the plastic transfer pen from rub on transfers), and an adhesive. I'm going to give you the measurement templates for two sizes I really like, the process is the same for both sizes.
Finished bag: 4x1x11
This size is perfect for card games, kitchen gadgets (an egg slicer fits perfectly), bangle bracelets, socks, gloves, or any number of smaller things. This is the size I use most often. 
For this bag, you will score your paper according to the following template:
Finished bag: 3x2.5x10
This size is a bit more versatile since it is a little thicker. It is good for small pillar candles (up to 2.5 inches), rolled up scarves, kitchen gadgets, treats, bath & body works lotion or soap, etc.
For both bags, the process is the same. Just use the scoring template that matches the size you want.
First, score the back side of your paper according to the template. You can see my vertical lines pretty well here, but the horizontal line is less obvious. I usually do the horizontal one first and then do all the vertical.
Now, don't laugh. I'm going to show you how this whole scoring business usually goes down in my house:
Yes, I'm in my pj's and yes, my dining room table is covered with miscellany. This is how I score my pages perfectly straight: I take the blade off my Fiskars paper cutter and use the cutting groove. Pressing down on a firm, skinny object (here, the side of a popsicle stick) I simply slide it down the groove and end up with a perfectly straight score line. Plus, it's got a ruler built in so I don't have to fidget with a loose one while marking my lines.
After the lines are all scored, I fold the paper along each line. Make sure you fold the horizontal line - it makes finishing the bottom of the bag so much easier.
Then I try to make the folds take shape. The large flat spot in the center of the paper is the front of the bag, while the narrower folds create the pleats on the side.
Fold the paper so the two edges overlap and you end up with an accordion tube something like this. Using whatever adhesive you like (rolling scrapbook adhesive works great - but make sure it's permanent or it won't hold), adhere the paper in place.
To finish the bottom, fold the sides down as though you're finishing the side of a present lining up the score lines as you fold to keep a nice square edge. And.... you're done! Time to fill, embellish, and have quick, cute, gifts ready for the Holidays.
