Picking the right gift bag sounds simple — until you’re standing in front of a dozen sizes, colours and finishes, trying to work out which one actually suits the occasion. This guide breaks it down by event, so whether you’re wrapping presents for Christmas, filling party bags for a birthday, or putting together favours for a baby shower, you’ll know exactly which bag to reach for.
Quick answer: Christmas wrapper bags are paper gift bags used instead of traditional wrapping paper — you simply add tissue paper, pop the gift in, and it’s ready to give. They’re faster than wrapping, reusable, and work for gifts of any shape, which is why they’ve become the go-to choice for wrapping presents during the festive season.
Traditional wrapping paper struggles with awkwardly shaped presents — wine bottles, toys, clothing bundles. A Christmas wrapper bag solves that instantly. Our Christmas collection includes twist-handle carrier bags in classic red and green, gold and silver party bag sizes, and matt laminated bags with rope handles for a more premium finish — all in a range of sizes from extra small stocking-filler bags up to large bags for bigger gifts.
Because they’re reusable, Christmas wrapper bags also cut down on the amount of wrapping paper that gets torn open and binned on Christmas morning, making them a more sustainable option too.
Related reading: How to Wrap a Gift Like a Pro: Bags, Boxes, and the Finishing Touches
Quick answer: The best bags for a birthday depend on what you’re using them for — a single, sturdy present bag for the birthday gift itself, or smaller paper party bags if you’re giving out favours to guests. Twist-handle paper bags in bright colours are the most popular choice for both.
Birthdays usually call for two different types of bag:
Our Birthdays collection covers both needs, pulling together the sizes and colours that work best for birthday gifting, from extra small favour bags to large bags for bigger presents.
Quick answer: A present bag is a paper bag designed specifically for gift-giving rather than general carrying — usually finished with sturdy handles, made from heavier paper stock, and sized to fit typical gift shapes like boxes, bottles, or clothing.
Not all paper bags are present bags. The difference usually comes down to finish: present bags tend to use heavier gsm paper, reinforced bases, and either twisted paper handles or rope handles, so they hold their shape and can be reused. Our present bags / gift bags range includes:
If you’re unsure whether a bag or a box suits your gift better, our guide on Present Bags vs Gift Boxes breaks down when to use each.
Quick answer: Paper goodie bags are small paper bags used to hand out sweets, favours or small gifts at parties and events. They’re preferred over plastic because they’re sturdier for their size, easier to personalise, and more environmentally friendly.
Paper goodie bags are a staple at children’s parties, weddings, corporate events and retail giveaways. They’re small enough to fill quickly but strong enough to carry sweets, small toys, or branded items without splitting. Our Paper Party Bags category stocks these in extra small through to large sizes, in solid colours and with stickers, so you can match them to a party theme or brand colour scheme.
For a deeper dive into sizing and colour options, see our Paper Party Bags UK: Complete Guide to Colours, Sizes & Uses.
Quick answer: A baby shower gift bag is typically a pastel-coloured paper bag — light pink, light blue, or white — used to wrap gifts for the parents-to-be or as take-home favours for guests. Soft, neutral tones are the standard choice over bold or bright colours.
Baby showers call for a gentler colour palette than birthdays or Christmas. Our Baby Shower collection is built around this, featuring light pink and light blue boutique bags, white twist-handle bags, and smaller paper party bags for guest favours — all suited to a baby shower’s softer aesthetic.
| Occasion | Best Bag Type | Collection |
| Christmas | Twist-handle bags in red/green/gold, or matt boutique bags | Christmas |
| Birthday (main gift) | Medium/large twist-handle or boutique bag | Birthdays |
| Birthday (party favours) | Small paper party bags | Paper Party Bags |
| General present wrapping | Present bags / gift bags | Gift Bags |
| Party goodie bags | Extra small/small paper party bags | Paper Party Bags |
| Baby shower | Pastel pink/blue/white boutique or twist-handle bags | Baby Shower |
What is the difference between a present bag and a party bag? A present bag is typically larger and made from heavier paper, designed to hold one main gift. A party bag (or goodie bag) is smaller and designed to be filled with several small favours and handed out to multiple guests.
Can Christmas wrapper bags be reused? Yes. Paper wrapper bags with twisted or rope handles are designed to be sturdy enough for reuse, unlike wrapping paper, which is usually torn and discarded after one use.
What colour paper bags are best for a baby shower? Light pink, light blue and white are the most commonly used colours for baby shower gift bags, as they suit both traditional gender-reveal themes and neutral baby shower styles.
Are paper goodie bags better than plastic party bags? Paper goodie bags are generally considered a better choice than plastic because they’re sturdier for carrying items, easier to decorate or personalise, and more environmentally friendly to produce and dispose of.
What size gift bag should I use for a birthday present? A medium or large twist-handle bag suits most standard birthday gifts. For bulkier items like clothing sets or wine bottles, a large boutique bag with a reinforced base is a better fit.
Whichever occasion you’re shopping for, you can browse the full range by collection above, or explore all paper bags at The Paper Bag Store to compare sizes, colours and finishes side by side.
