Christmas Bags for Kids: What to Buy, How to Fill Them, and What to Skip

Christmas bags for kids are the fun alternative to stockings. They’re the bags you fill with treats, small toys, and gifts for Christmas morning. The problem is that most people either buy the cheapest bags they can find (thin, printed bags that tear) or overfill them with too much candy. The right bags are quality, the right size, and filled with a mix of treats, toys, and useful items. This guide covers what to buy, how to fill them, and what to skip.

Christmas bags for kids covers the gift bags used during the holiday season for children’s treats, small toys, and gifts, including Santa sacks, fabric bags, paper bags, and treat bags. The best bags are quality, festive, and the right size. The worst are thin, cheap, and so flimsy that they tear when you fill them.

The right Christmas bags for kids make Christmas morning feel magical. Here’s what to buy, how to fill them, and what to skip.

Types of Christmas Bags for Kids

Santa Sacks

Santa sacks are the large, festive bags that look like a Santa sack. They’re the bags that are used for a child’s Christmas morning.

What to look for:

• A quality material (canvas, burlap, or thick cotton)
• A size of 20 to 30 inches (large enough for a child’s gifts)
• A personalization (a child’s name, embroidered or printed)
• A drawstring or a flap closure
• A festive design (a Santa motif, a snowflake pattern, or a solid red)
• A bag that’s reusable (not disposable)

What to skip:

• Santa sacks that are too thin (they tear)
• Santa sacks without a closure
• Santa sacks that aren’t reusable

Price range: $15 to $35.

Fabric Gift Bags

Fabric gift bags are the durable, reusable option. They’re the bags made of fabric that can be used year after year.

What to look for:

• A quality material (cotton, canvas, or linen)
• A size of 10 to 20 inches (depending on the gifts)
• A drawstring or a tie closure
• A festive design (a holiday print, a solid color, or a simple pattern)
• A bag that’s washable
• A bag that’s reusable

What to skip:

• Fabric bags that are too thin (they don’t hold the weight)
• Fabric bags without a closure
• Fabric bags that aren’t washable

Price range: $10 to $25.

Paper Gift Bags

Paper gift bags are the most common and affordable option. They’re the bags with a festive design.

What to look for:

• A quality material (thick kraft paper, not thin)
• A size of 8 to 16 inches (depending on the gifts)
• A festive design (a holiday pattern, a character, or a solid color)
• A bag with handles (for easy carrying)
• A bag with a closure (a sticker, a twist tie, or a ribbon)

What to skip:

• Paper bags that are too thin (they tear)
• Paper bags without handles (they’re hard to carry)
• Paper bags without a closure

Price range: $3 to $10.

Treat Bags

Treat bags are the small bags for treats and small toys. They’re the bags you use for classroom exchanges and party favors.

What to look for:

• A quality material (kraft paper or cellophane)
• A size of 4 to 8 inches (depending on the treats)
• A festive design (a holiday pattern, a character, or a solid color)
• A bag with a closure (a twist tie, a sticker, or a ribbon)
• A food-safe material (if you’re putting food inside)
• A set of 20 to 50 bags (for classroom exchanges or parties)

What to skip:

• Treat bags that are too thin (they tear)
• Treat bags without a closure
• Treat bags that aren’t food-safe

Price range: $5 to $15 for a set of 20 to 50.

What to Put in Christmas Bags for Kids

For Toddlers (Ages 1 to 3)

Good picks:

• A small board book
• A small stuffed animal
• A set of chunky crayons
• A small ball
• A set of stickers
• A small snack (puffs, crackers)
• A sippy cup
• A small toy car

For Preschoolers (Ages 4 to 5)

Good picks:

• A small action figure or a doll
• A set of stickers
• A small book
• A small puzzle
• A small Play-Doh
• A small snack (fruit snacks, crackers)
• A small toy car
• A small coloring book and crayons

For School-Age Kids (Ages 6 to 10)

Good picks:

• A small Lego set
• A small action figure or a doll
• A small book
• A small puzzle
• A small card game
• A small snack (chips, candy)
• A small toy (a yo-yo, a bouncy ball)
• A small art supply (a set of markers, a sketchbook)
• A small gift card ($5 to $10)

For Pre-Teens (Ages 11 to 12)

Good picks:

• A good pair of wireless earbuds
• A small Bluetooth speaker
• A good book
• A small video game
• A quality hoodie
• A good pair of socks
• A small snack (chips, candy)
• A small gift card ($10 to $15)

How to Fill a Christmas Bag for Kids

Step 1: Choose the Right Bag

Choose a bag that’s the right size for the child’s age and the gifts you’re putting inside.

Step 2: Add Tissue Paper

Add a layer of tissue paper at the bottom of the bag for padding and to make it look full.

Step 3: Add the Gifts

Place the gifts inside the bag. Arrange them so the taller items are in the back and the smaller items are in the front.

Step 4: Add a Personal Touch

Add a handwritten card or a tag with the child’s name.

Step 5: Close the Bag

Close the bag with a twist tie, a ribbon, or a drawstring. Add a bow (optional).

What to Skip Entirely

Bags that are too thin. They tear when you fill them, and they don’t look good. Choose quality.

Bags without a closure. A bag without a closure is hard to close. Choose bags with a closure.

Too much candy. A bag that’s filled with only candy is too much sugar. Mix in non-candy items.

Items that are too cheap. A $1 item feels like an afterthought. Choose quality.

Items that are too expensive. A $50 item in a treat bag is too much. Save the expensive gifts for a larger present.

Items that are too young or too old. Choose age-appropriate items. A toddler doesn’t want a video game, and a pre-teen doesn’t want a baby toy.

Too many items. 5 to 10 items per bag is enough. Don’t overfill.

FAQ

What are Christmas bags for kids? Christmas bags for kids are gift bags filled with treats, small toys, and gifts for Christmas morning. They come in Santa sacks, fabric bags, paper bags, and treat bag styles. The best are quality, festive, and the right size.

What should I put in a Christmas bag for kids? For toddlers: a board book, a stuffed animal, stickers, a small snack. For preschoolers: an action figure, stickers, a book, Play-Doh, a snack. For school-age kids: a Lego set, a book, a puzzle, a card game, a snack, a gift card. For pre-teens: wireless earbuds, a book, a video game, a hoodie, a snack, a gift card.

How much do Christmas bags for kids cost? Santa sacks cost $15 to $35. Fabric gift bags cost $10 to $25. Paper gift bags cost $3 to $10. Treat bags cost $5 to $15 for a set of 20 to 50. Fillings cost $5 to $30 per bag.

Where can I buy Christmas bags for kids? You can buy Christmas bags for kids at Amazon (wide selection), a craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby for fabric and treat bags), a party supply store (Party City for treat bags), a big box store (Target, Walmart for affordable sets), and a dollar store (affordable, but check the quality).

What should I avoid when making Christmas bags for kids? Avoid bags that are too thin (they tear), bags without a closure, too much candy (mix in non-candy items), items that are too cheap, items that are too expensive, items that are too young or too old, and too many items (5 to 10 per bag is enough).

How do I fill a Christmas bag for kids? Choose the right bag. Add tissue paper at the bottom. Place the gifts inside (taller items in the back). Add a handwritten card or a tag. Close the bag with a twist tie, a ribbon, or a drawstring. Add a bow (optional).

What size Christmas bag should I buy for kids? For toddlers: 8 to 12 inches. For preschoolers: 10 to 14 inches. For school-age kids: 12 to 16 inches. For pre-teens: 14 to 20 inches. Choose a bag that’s the right size for the gifts.

References

• Amazon. “Christmas Bags for Kids.” Check on Amazon
• Oriental Trading. “Christmas Treat Bags.” https://www.orientaltrading.com/christmas-treat-bags
• Party City. “Christmas Favor Bags.” https://www.partycity.com/christmas-favor-bags