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At some point, I gave up on store-bought Halloween treat bags. Not because they weren’t cute (they are!)—but because the best part of Halloween isn’t perfection. It’s personality. It’s snacks in brown paper lunch bags. It’s jagged pinking-sheared edges and that one ribbon you’ve been hoarding for five years that finally has its moment.
This is my go-to method for making sweet little Halloween treat bags from supplies I already have around the house—no glue guns, no fuss. Just lunch bags, scissors, ribbon, and snacks. And yes, they’re absurdly charming in that “I totally made this at my kitchen counter while watching Hocus Pocus” kind of way.
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Why I Love These Bags (And You Will Too)
These little bags check all the right boxes—they’re quick to make (just a few minutes start to finish), they use things you probably already have lying around (paper lunch bags, craft scissors, ribbon), and they’re super budget-friendly. No fancy materials required.
You can go simple with twine and handwritten names or dress them up with patterned ribbon and cute tags—it’s totally up to you. And unlike store-bought treat bags, they don’t all have to match. A little variety makes them feel even more personal and festive, which is precisely the point.
What You’ll Need To Make Them
- Brown paper lunch bags (the plain Jane kind are the best)
- Pinking shears or craft scissors (for a cute zigzag edge)
- An everyday one-hole punch
- Halloween ribbon or twine
- Snacks or treats—like this homemade Halloween snack mix (popcorn, pretzels, candy, cookies, anything crunchy and festive works too).
How to Make These Easy Halloween Treat Bags
- Trim the top. First, use pinking shears to snip about a 1/4 inch off the top of each bag for a cute edge. This gives it that finished-but-handmade look (which everyone loves).
- Fold it down. Then, gently fold the top edge of the bag over (1 to 1-1/2 inches) to close the bag. Make sure to do them all about the same.
- Punch holes. Next, use a regular one-hole punch to make two holes in the center of the bag, about 1/2 inch apart, right through the folded flap. Again, make sure to do them all about the same (though they don’t have to be exact, we’re going for handmade here).
- Cut the ribbon. Cut the ribbon into 18″ pieces. If you’re making a bigger bow than I made, you’ll need to measure the ribbon a little longer. You can use one ribbon per bag or get fancy and layer two ribbons together.
- Fill the bag and tie it up. Finally, scoop in a generous handful of your treat, cookie, or candy of choice. Then just feed the ribbon through the holes (don’t forget to attach a gift tag if you’re using one) and tie it in a pretty little bow in the front.
And, boom done!
Pro Tips & Suggestions
- Swap the brown bags for white ones and let the kids decorate them with crayons, stickers, or stamps.
- Mix up your ribbon—plaid, orange satin, thicker ribbon for a fuller bow, curling ribbon for a party vibe, twine with a little tag that says “Boo!” The possibilities are endless.
- Use the pinking shears to trim the ribbons too (so they’re matchy-matchy).
- If you’re making a handful of bags at once, stack them up and cut/punch 2-3 bags at a time (not so many you get a cramp in your hand trying to cut through them all—just enough to save some time, haha).
- These treat bags work great for other holidays as well—Christmas (for cookies!), delivering a valentine, party favors, or neighbor treats. They’re easy, adorable, and really useful.
There’s something ever-so-charming about a handmade Halloween treat bag—especially one that didn’t take an entire afternoon or a trip to the craft store to make. These little bags are proof that festive doesn’t have to mean complicated. Whether you’re making five or twenty-five, they add that personal, thoughtful touch that makes Halloween feel a little more homemade (in the very best way).
Happy treating. 🎃
P.S. If you need an easy filler, don’t miss this homemade Halloween snack mix—it’s always the first thing gone at my parties.