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From left to right: The Coffee Filter Hack, The Napkin Flourish, and The Wrapping Paper Fan. All made with household items!

No Tissue Paper? 3 Genius Gift Bag Hacks Using Household Items

Are you looking for genius gift bag hacks because you realized you are completely out of tissue paper? You have the perfect gift, a cute bag, and five minutes before leaving for the party but no gift bag filler!

Don’t panic. In fact, you likely have three better alternatives sitting in your kitchen or craft drawer right now. These “emergency” gift bag hacks actually look more expensive and thoughtful than standard tissue paper.

If you are looking for more Valentine’s Day ideas, check out how to make the gift lace red gift bag shown in the coffee filter hack.

Here are 3 genius ways to fill a gift bag when you have no tissue paper.

1. The “Wrapping Paper Fan” Method

Using stiff wrapping paper instead of tissue adds height and volume. I shaped this fan like a heart for Valentine’s Day!

If you have a roll of wrapping paper but no tissue, you are in luck. This is my favorite method because it adds height and volume to the bag and only takes minutes to make! I even shaped this version like a heart for Valentine’s Day.

• How to do it: Cut a square of wrapping paper. Accordion fold it back and forth (like you’re making a paper fan). Pinch it at the bottom, fan out the top, and tuck it into the bag.

• Why it works: The stiff paper holds its shape perfectly, giving your gift bag a professional “boutique” look.

2. The Coffee Filter Hack

The Coffee Filter Hack: I put these on a skewer to create a “flower” that slides right into the bag!

Yes, really! White coffee filters are a perfect tissue paper alternative. You can easily make a beautiful flower to place in a gift bag to use instead of tissue. The best part? It also doubles as an additional gift!

• How to do it: Take 7 standard coffee filters. Push the center of one filter through a wooden skewer, place a dot of glue on the center, and twist the filter around the stick. Repeat with the rest of the filters to build a beautiful flower. Fluff it out and slide it into the gift bag next to the gift.

• Pro Tip: If you want to get fancy, you can paint the edges of the flower with watercolor paint or use a marker to match your gift bag!

3. The Napkin Flourish

The Napkin Flourish: Since napkins are usually printed on both sides, they add way more color than standard tissue paper!

Check your kitchen drawer for patterned paper napkins. Because napkins are usually printed on both sides, they actually look even better than tissue paper!

• How to do it: Unfold the napkin completely. Remove the white interlining (the back ply) if there is one. Layer two napkins together at a slight angle. Fold the napkin up to overlap the top edges, then fold the sides into the middle. Twist the bottom, fluff the top points, and place it into the gift bag.

• Pro Tip: There are so many interesting napkin patterns you can use for every occasion. It really is the best quick and easy tissue paper alternative.