When it comes to buying gift bags, I am a real disappointment to my children.  They beg for the pricey cartoon-laden bags, and I steer us toward the inexpensive single-color models.  IT'S BORING they tell me.  IT'S FINE I reply. 

Recently I hit on the jackpot of ideas - Gift Bag as Art.  I gave each of the kids a gift bag and a fat Sharpie and they turned my cheap simple gift bag into very interesting wrapping:


It might tide them over for awhile.  If nothing else, they might just agree to the idea so that they get to use a Permanent Marker.