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The easiest reindeer feed bag Christmas decoration starts with an ordinary paper grocery bag. Apply a reindeer-feed transfer with black craft paste, stuff the bag with saved plastic shopping bags, gather and tie the top, then finish it with ribbon and a berry pick. The result is lightweight seasonal decor that can be sized for a tabletop, tree, or entryway.
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This is a decorative sack, not a container of animal feed. Keep it indoors and do not scatter its contents outdoors for wildlife. Debbie Westbrooks of Refresh Restyle describes the idea simply: “I saved a plain paper grocery bag and turned it into a cute reindeer feed bag for Christmas.”
What this reindeer feed bag project makes
The finished piece looks like an old-fashioned feed sack, but its structure is deliberately simple: a wrinkled paper grocery bag becomes the outer shell, transfer paste creates the lettering, and lightweight plastic bags provide volume. Because the bag is not sewn, woven, or permanently assembled, you can adapt the height and fullness to whatever grocery bag you have.
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Leaving some wrinkles in the paper is part of the look. A perfectly smooth bag can appear too new, while gentle creases suggest a reused farm or feed sack. The decoration works best as an indoor accent on a mantel, shelf, console, tabletop, beside a Christmas tree, or in an entryway.
Materials and what each one does
| Material | Purpose | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| Paper grocery bag | Outer sack | Any size works; a smaller bag suits a tabletop, while a larger one has more presence beside a tree or in an entryway. |
| Reindeer-feed transfer | Creates the printed design | The tutorial places the design low because the top will be trimmed and gathered. |
| Black craft paste | Transfers the lettering or graphic onto paper | Use a craft squeegee to spread it and remove excess. |
| Squeegee | Presses paste through the open transfer areas | A craft squeegee for transfers is the directly relevant tool. |
| Scissors | Trims excess paper and ribbon | Use a clean pair so the paper edge does not snag. |
| Saved plastic shopping bags | Lightweight filler | They add shape without making the decor heavy. |
| Yarn | Closes the gathered top | Stapling the folds is an alternative when you want a firmer closure. |
| Ribbon | Finishes the neck of the sack | The example uses about 18 inches and cuts dovetail ends. |
| Berry floral pick | Adds a small seasonal accent | Raffia or another small Christmas floral piece can substitute. |
| Glue gun | Optional reinforcement | It was available in the tutorial but was not needed for the finished version. |
The transfer is mentioned with the wording “Rooftop Original” in the tutorial, but the maker, current stock, and availability are not established. Treat that wording as a design reference rather than a guarantee that the exact item is still sold.
Prepare the paper bag
1. Flatten it without removing every wrinkle
Open the grocery bag and flatten it enough to create a stable work surface. You do not need to iron or smooth the paper completely. Keep natural wrinkles that do not interfere with the transfer; they help create the aged feed-sack appearance.
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Check the bottom seam and side folds before applying anything. If a section is sharply folded or torn, rotate the bag so the strongest panel faces forward. The front panel should be broad enough for the transfer and free of loose paper fibers.
Apply the reindeer-feed transfer
2. Reduce the transfer’s tack before placement
Transfers can grip paper more strongly than expected. Before positioning the design, lightly fuzz the sticky back a couple of times. Press it against a clean, low-lint surface and lift it repeatedly to reduce the initial tack. This makes the transfer easier to remove without pulling up the paper.
Place the design on the front panel and press it down firmly, paying special attention to small lettering, antlers, or other detailed areas. The tutorial positions the design low on the bag because the upper portion will be trimmed and gathered. If you are using a very short bag, measure the planned gathered neck first so the design does not disappear into the folds.
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3. Spread black paste with a squeegee
Use the squeegee to pull black craft paste across the open portions of the transfer. Work from one edge to the other with steady pressure. The goal is to fill the exposed design areas while leaving as little excess paste on the transfer surface as possible.
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4. Lift the transfer and let the print dry
Peel the transfer away carefully, starting at one corner and moving slowly across the design. Inspect the lettering while the transfer is still accessible. Paste dries quickly according to the tutorial, but allow the printed surface to dry completely before stuffing or folding the bag. Handling it too soon can smear the black design onto the creases.
Wash the reusable transfer with water after use and clean it with a board eraser, following the tutorial’s care method. Dry it before storing so residue does not remain on the sticky surface.
Shape and fill the decorative sack
5. Add lightweight volume
Once the print is dry, fill the bag with saved plastic shopping bags. Crumple them loosely rather than packing them tightly. Loose filler gives the sack a rounded, irregular shape and leaves enough flexibility to gather the top without stressing the paper.
Start with a small amount and check the silhouette from the front and sides. Add more until the bag stands or leans the way you want. Because the filler is lightweight, you can adjust the fullness repeatedly without needing a heavy base.
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6. Trim, gather, and tie
Use scissors to trim extra paper from the upper edge if the bag is taller than your intended decoration. Gather the remaining paper into a neck, making several soft folds instead of one hard twist. Tie the folds securely with yarn.
If the gathered paper keeps opening, staple the folds before tying. Place staples through overlapping paper only where they will be hidden by the yarn and ribbon. Do not pull the tie so tightly that it cuts through the paper; a firm but cushioned closure is more durable.
Add the Christmas finishing details
7. Attach ribbon
Wrap ribbon around the gathered neck and tie it over the yarn. The tutorial uses approximately 18 inches, but the amount depends on the bag’s circumference and the size of the bow. Cut the ends in a dovetail shape for a finished edge.
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Slide a berry floral pick into the gathered top beside the ribbon. Angle the berries so they show from the front without covering the transfer. Raffia or another small Christmas floral element can replace the berry pick when you want a less traditional finish.
A glue gun may help hold a stubborn floral piece, but it was not required for the example. Try arranging the pick under the ribbon first; the pressure of the gathered neck may hold it securely on its own.
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Choose the right size and display location
| Bag choice | Best use | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Small grocery bag | Tabletop, shelf, or mantel grouping | Use less filler and a narrow ribbon so the decoration does not look top-heavy. |
| Standard grocery bag | Chair-side accent, console, or small tree display | Keep the transfer centered on the visible panel and gather just above the print. |
| Large grocery bag | Beside a Christmas tree or in an entryway | Add filler gradually and use a stronger yarn tie or hidden staples for the larger neck. |
Paper and plastic filler are best kept away from rain, snow, damp floors, candles, heaters, and open flames. This project is intended as lightweight indoor decor, not as an outdoor wildlife feeder or weatherproof container.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and practical fixes
The transfer will not release cleanly
The paper may be lifting because the transfer was not de-tacked enough or because detailed areas were not pressed evenly. Stop pulling, lay the transfer back down, and burnish the lettering gently. For the next attempt, fuzz the sticky side a couple of times before placement and press around every fine detail.
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The paste looks thick or drags
Stir a little distilled water into the unused paste, mixing thoroughly before adding more. A small amount is usually enough to restore spreadability. Remove excess paste from the transfer with the squeegee before lifting it.
The print smears during assembly
The surface was handled before it dried. Set the bag aside until the black design is dry to the touch, then fill it. Keep loose plastic bags from rubbing directly across a damp print.
The bag collapses after filling
Add filler in small increments and distribute it into the lower corners first. If the paper remains too soft, use a slightly fuller but still loose fill. The gathered neck should support the shape; do not rely on the ribbon alone to hold an overstuffed bag.
The top tears while tying
Loosen the tie and spread the folds over a wider area. Overlapping the paper and adding hidden staples before tying can reinforce the neck. A wider ribbon also distributes pressure better than a narrow cord pulled tight.
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The floral pick slips out
Push the pick deeper into the gathered folds and tighten the ribbon over it. If it still moves, use a small amount of hot glue as reinforcement, allowing the glue to cool fully before moving the decoration.
DIY paper bag versus a ready-made sack
A finished burlap sack can save assembly time, while the paper version lets you reuse a grocery bag and control the size, fullness, and trim. The following comparison reflects the available description of a marketplace option, not a guarantee of current stock or suitability.
| Consideration | DIY paper-bag decor | Ready-made burlap option |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Apply a transfer, fill, gather, and decorate. | Buy the printed sack and prepare it for display. |
| Material and look | Wrinkled paper with a handmade, reused-feed-sack appearance. | Printed burlap with a more structured textile look. |
| Size | Adjustable to the grocery bag on hand. | The listed sack is 14 by 26 inches. |
| Included contents | You supply the plastic-bag filler and trim. | The listing describes the sack as unstuffed. |
| Best reason to choose it | Low-cost reuse and a custom finish. | Less crafting when you want a finished printed exterior. |
Marketplace listings and stock can change, so confirm dimensions, material, and whether a sack is sold empty before buying. An unstuffed bag still needs a filler and a plan for keeping it upright.
Do not confuse this with “magic reindeer food”
Some Christmas crafts called magic reindeer food make small activity or gift bags rather than large decorative feed sacks. That separate project uses oatmeal, sugar, colored sugar crystals, an organza bag, ribbon, and a printable tag. Its purpose is a packaged activity, not a stuffed paper-bag decoration.
The project here uses a paper grocery bag, black paste, a transfer, and saved plastic shopping bags. Do not put real feed, oatmeal mixtures, or colored sugar into this decorative bag, and do not place it outdoors for animals.
Adapt the design to fabric only with the correct medium
The transfer-and-paste method described here is for paper. The tutorial notes that the same general design idea can be placed on fabric, but fabric requires ink and heat setting rather than craft paste. If you switch to fabric, follow the ink manufacturer’s curing and heat-setting directions; do not assume the paper paste will bond permanently or remain washable.
Storage after the holidays
When the season ends, remove the ribbon and floral pick before moving the bag. Store the paper sack in a dry place away from crushing weight and moisture. If the filler has become dusty or compressed, replace the plastic bags before the next display. Keep the reusable transfer clean and dry so it is ready for another project.
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