Are you tired of shop-bought Christmas crackers and want to give making your own a go? You’ve come to the right place. Our simple yet impressive tips will guide you through the process of making your very own Christmas crackers, ready for all of the family to enjoy this festive season.
Traditional crackers
Christmas crackers are traditionally used as table decorations that make a snapping sound when they are pulled open. They usually contain a small gift, such as a game, and a joke. Crackers are typically pulled by two people, with the person with the larger portion keeping the contents of the cracker. In this guide we will teach you how to make your own this Christmas, to impress everyone at the table!
Why should I make my own?
Not only is it a great Christmas craft for everyone to participate in, but making your own Christmas crackers is a sustainable solution to shop-bought ones. By reusing odd bits and bobs from around your home, you can be mindful of the environment whilst adding a personal touch to the festivities.
Things you will need:
- A4 plain or coloured paper
- Cardboard tube (these can be kitchen or toilet roll)
- Paints
- Craft knife
- Scissors
- Glue
- Ribbon
- Fillings for the cracker (e.g. sweets, jokes, games)
- Any decorations (e.g. gems, stickers, glitter)
- Optional: Cracker snaps
How to make a Christmas cracker:
- To start making your very own Christmas cracker, decorate your A4 paper as you wish. This will be the outside of the cracker. Add any gems, glitter, paint, and set aside until the paper is completely dry.
- Once your paper is ready, the next step is to place your paper face down on a table. Ensure that the paper is horizontal (longest sides at the top), and position your cardboard tube lengthwise in the centre.
- Lightly score the paper with a craft knife at the openings of the cardboard tube. This will make it easier to wrap the paper around.
- Carefully wrap the paper around the cardboard tube. Glue the paper in place to create one wide, decorated tube.
- Twist one side of the paper around the tube, and secure in place with some decorative ribbon or string. If you’ve decided to use a cracker snap, now is the time to feed this through the centre of your tube.
- Add your cracker fillings into the cracker, trying not to over fill. Once you are happy and have filled your cracker with your fillings, tie the other end and secure in place with another piece of ribbon or string.
- Repeat the above steps to create as many Christmas crackers as you wish. Carefully place your handmade festive crackers on the table for all of your guests to enjoy!
