How to Make Paper Bag Stars for Christmas
There’s something magical about Christmas decorations you make with your own hands — and few crafts deliver as much wow-factor for as little money as paper bag stars. Made from simple brown paper lunch bags, glue, and string, these accordion-folded stars look like expensive boutique decor, yet each one costs just pennies to make.
Paper bag stars have been a Pinterest favorite for years, and for good reason: they’re quick, nearly foolproof, and endlessly customizable. Hang them in windows, cluster them over the mantel, or use a giant one as a tree topper. This guide walks you through the classic method step by step, plus pretty variations that take the basic star to the next level.
What You’ll Need
• Paper lunch bags: 7–9 plain brown bags per star (standard sandwich-bag size). White bags give a snowy look.
• Glue: a hot glue gun works fastest, but a glue stick works fine too.
• Sharp scissors for clean cuts.
• String, twine, or ribbon for hanging.
• Optional: white craft paint, glitter, or a paper doily for decorating.
How to Make a Paper Bag Star: Step by Step
Step 1 — Glue the bags. Take one bag and run glue in an upside-down “T” shape: a line across the bottom (the closed end) and a line up the center to the open top. Press the next bag on top, aligning the edges. Repeat until all 7–9 bags are stacked and glued.
Step 2 — Cut the shape. With the stack lying flat, cut the top (open end) into a point — this forms the star’s tips. For a classic star, cut a simple triangle point. For a snowflake look, cut small notches or curves along the sides before pointing the tip.
Step 3 — Fan it open. Gently pull the first and last bags apart, fanning the stack into a full circle. The glued center holds everything together.
Step 4 — Secure and hang. Glue or staple the two outer bags together where they meet, punch a small hole near one tip, thread your string through, and hang. That’s it — your star is done!
Tips for Perfect Stars Every Time
Use the same number of bags for matching stars — 7 bags makes a slightly open, lacy star, while 9 bags makes a fuller, denser one. If your star won’t lie flat, you probably need one more bag in the stack. Press each glued layer firmly and give the glue a minute to set before cutting; shifting bags are the main cause of lopsided stars. And always cut with the bags’ open ends aligned — a quick tap of the stack on the table lines everything up.
Pretty Variations to Try
Snowy white stars: Use white lunch bags and dust the tips with glitter for a frosted look that glows against a dark window at night.
Two-tone stars: Alternate brown and white bags in the stack for a striped effect.
Mini stars: Use small favor-size bags to make tiny stars for the Christmas tree — they weigh almost nothing, so they won’t drag branches down. They pair beautifully with other lightweight ornaments; see our DIY Christmas ornaments for more tree ideas.
Painted edges: Lightly brush white or gold craft paint along the cut edges before fanning the star open for a gilded outline.
Where to Hang Paper Bag Stars
These stars look stunning almost anywhere. Cluster three in graduated sizes in a front window so neighbors and passersby can enjoy them. Hang a row of them across the mantel mixed with fresh greenery — the brown paper against evergreen is effortlessly chic, much like a dried orange garland. They also make gorgeous oversized gift toppers: tape a mini star to a wrapped present instead of a bow. Because they’re so light, you can even hang them from the ceiling with fishing line for a floating-star effect over the holiday table.
Storing Them for Next Year
The best part? These stars are reusable. When the season ends, gently fold the star back into its flat stack (don’t force it — let the folds guide you), slip it into a large bag or between sheets of tissue paper, and store flat. They’ll pop right back open next Christmas, good as new.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paper bags do I need for one star?
Seven to nine lunch bags per star is the sweet spot. Seven gives an airy, delicate star; nine gives a full, lush one. Fewer than seven and the star won’t close into a full circle.
Can I use a glue stick instead of hot glue?
Yes — a glue stick works fine for the T-shaped glue lines between bags. Hot glue is faster and stronger, which helps for larger stars, but a glue stick is safer if kids are helping.
Will paper bag stars hold up outdoors?
They’re best kept indoors or in a covered spot like a porch. Rain will ruin them quickly, but under an overhang they can last the whole season.
How do you keep the star from unfolding?
Glue or staple the first and last bags together where they meet after fanning. A small binder clip also works and makes the star easy to fold flat for storage.
