DIY Santa Sack for Christmas Toy Donations
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My teen daughter came home from school last week and told me that she had volunteered to purchase a Christmas gift to donate to a child. She had specifically chosen an older boy because she knows that younger children are usually chosen first. She’s going tomorrow to purchase Christmas toys to donate to this wonderful 8-year-old boy. I’m so proud of my daughter and her thoughtfulness. She’s motivated me to donate toys for a another child in our community and make a DIY Santa sack for the Christmas gifts. Most toy donation drives ask that the gifts not be wrapped. I like to place my donated toys inside a Santa sack. This allows the organization to easily open the sack, check the donations and even wrap them if they want. But the Santa sack is such a magical way to wrap a child’s Christmas gift that I think it makes the donated toys that much more special for the child who receives them.
I have a confession. Every single time I go to a craft store, I look at the fabric clearance bin. I am not a seamstress, so purchasing fabric off the bolt at full price is a bit intimidating to me. But buying the unassuming remnant from the clearance bin is motivating (because there’s less pressure for this non-seamstress sewing mama). I found this adorable Santa fabric and knew immediately that I wanted to make a Santa sack to go with my donated gifts. I was disappointed that the remnant of Santa fabric was much too small to make a gift bag, but then I found this second remnant of coordinating red fabric. Yipppe! One Santa sack coming right up.
DIY Santa Sack for Toy Donations
I cut the blue fabric in half (for each side of the sack) and cut the red fabric in half and then in half again. Since the fabric was the same width, it made it easy to match the pieces up and sew the 2 sides of the sack. (I’m so charmed by that Santa fabric! It makes me happy every time I see it.)
I sewed the 2 sides together on three edges. I turned down the top about 1 1/2 inches and sewed it down with 2 rows of stitching to make a casing for the drawstring. After sewing everything, I carefully picked open the seam on one side between the 2 rows of stitching. For more details on sewing the sack, check out this upcycled fabric gift bag tutorial.
I threaded a piece of holiday ribbon through the casing of the Santa sack. If your ribbon has text or an image on it, pay attention to which side is up before you start threading it through (ask me how I know this).
Having taught parent education for over 20 years, I know that many disadvantaged families do not have very many books at home. I also know how important reading and having books available is for the future success of children. When I purchase Christmas toys to donate, I try to include a book to go with the toy. I also realize that children want toys. Toys make their eyes light up and brighten their day. This year I popped over to Walmart to check out the Hallmark Northpole Holiday toys, books and more. I found lots of fun toys and book choices on one and a half aisles near the cards and stationery.
I was able to find a sweet book and coordinating game to donate. They also had a can of make-your-own snow and a stuffed snowball that coordinated with the book and game. What child doesn’t love a cuddly, soft stuffed toy (and one that you can safely throw around the house! Not that I am recommending that)? And snow in a can. Snow. in. a. can! How fun is that?!
After looking through the book, I realized the Find Me Santa snowflake that comes with the book is an extra special gift for children who may be homeless or displaced during the holiday season.
How exciting and magical would it be to find this Santa sack filled with toys and books under your tree on Christmas morning?
I can’t wait to help my daughter drop off her donated toys and to drop off my DIY Santa Sack filled with Christmas toy donations. Will you join my daughter and me in donating toys and books to children this holiday season? Generosity and sharing is truly the magic and meaning of Christmas.
Other gift bag ideas:
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.
Good for your daughter for her heart to give! Love your idea for the sack! Makes wrapping that much easier for packages that aren’t the easiest to wrap.
Thanks, Tonya. I’m a proud mama, so proud of my daughter.
That is a great idea. Wonderful how giving makes an impression. I lust love the bag.
Thanks, Debbie. I’m so charmed by that Santa fabric.
Wow you are really talented, I am not good at trying to sew a straight stitch! Love the snowballs!
Thanks, but I’m really not much of a seamstress. I promise that this is a doable sewing project.
This is such an amazing gift and I think that the Northpole items are so perfect to give as toy donations! We always participate in Operation Christmas Child and a local present buying opportunity as well each year–it’s such a great way to help remind our kids how blessed they really are! #client
Oh my how cute is that santa sack. That is the cutest thing ever and looks easy enough to do.
Thanks, Becca. I am so charmed by this gift bag and it really is easy to make.
This is such a fun project. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of this!
I was just at the store, walmart and saw that man of these products were half off. What a great way to give north pole gifts, in a santa sack.
Maria, I hadn’t even made the connection of the Northpole gifts and the Santa sack! Now I’m even more charmed by this gift bag! Thanks for pointing it out.
That is so precious of an idea! I love the HAllmark stuff! We got a Snowby!
This is so awesome. I love the idea of giving, and that sack came out so cute!
Your daughter is very thoughtful and kind! I agree about buying crafts, yarn and fabric on clearance. I try to get a sale whenever I can since I’m a crocheter. 🙂
I love giving back to others and I’m sure you were so proud of her for doing that too. I also sew and love making bags of all types. Thanks
This is such a cute idea. I love that your daughter does the donating with you too. I am trying to teach my boys the importance of giving rather than expecting to receive something.
Thanks, it’s such an important lesson for us to teach our children, isn’t it?
I do not celebrate Xmas, but the tips and ideas you shared here would be good for making a birthday present sack or for giving gifts to a sick person in the hospital.
I love your Santa sack. I think you are quite a seamstress.
Melissa, you are too sweet! I don’t feel like a seamstress, just like a mom 🙂
I really love this idea! Wish I had some better sewing skills.
This is so cute and so simple to make! I will definitely remember this