Abstract: An ultra compact, lightweight, sturdy bag holder that comprises an elongated shaped body of rigid material having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and strength that can easily be carried in the palm of ones' hand (FIG. 25; FIG. 25A). The bag holder further comprises a predetermined number of apertures (FIG. 1/21; FIG. 2/21, FIG. 3/22) or a predetermined number of grooves (FIG. 8/23; FIG. 9/23; FIG. 10/23) or a vertical cut at either end of the bag holder (FIG. 5/24) or a combination of two apertures (FIG. 4/21) and one groove (FIG. 4/23), or one aperture (FIG. 6/22) and two cuts (FIG. 6/24) or one groove (FIG. 7/23) and two cuts (FIG. 7/24). The aperture(s), cuts and groove(s) are designed to allow the integrally formed loop handle of shopping bags to be attached to the bag holder and depending on the configuration of the bag holder to keep the shopping bag closed and to prevent the content from spilling when placed on a flat surface.