Make Christmas Crackers

Christmas crackers are a popular treat during the winter holiday season. Once December rolls around, many stores start selling pre-filled Christmas crackers for you to distribute at your next Christmas party. But why buy them when you can make your own? Not only is it lots of fun, but you also get to choose what they look like, and what they are filled with. This will allow you to cater to your party's theme and your guests' tastes and interests.

Steps

Making the Cracker

  1. Cut a piece of paper into an 8 by 12-inch (20.32 by 30.48-centimeter) rectangle.[1] You can use wrapping paper, construction paper, butcher paper, scrapbooking paper, or even tissue paper.
    • If you plan on using tissue paper, consider stacking 2 to 3 sheets so that it won't be see-through.
    • The paper does not have to be Christmas-themed. It can be winter-themed instead. For example, blue, white, and silver stripes are perfect for a Winter Wonderland themed party.
    • Consider matching the paper to your table settings. Your table will look nicer if the crackers match the napkins, plates, candles, decorations, etc.
  2. Orient your paper landscape style, so that one of the long edges is facing you. If your paper has a patterned side and a blank side (such as scrapbooking paper or wrapping paper), make sure that the blank side is facing up.
  3. Attach a cracker snap to the top of the paper, if desired. This will make your Christmas cracker pop like store bought ones. Place a long strip of double-sided tape down onto the paper, 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) down from the top edge.[1] Next, place the cracker snap down onto the tape, make sure that it is centered, then run your finger across it to seal the tape. Make sure that both ends of the cracker snap are taped down.
    • Many craft and dollar stores sell cracker snaps during the holiday season. You may also be able to find them online.
  4. Lay down a strip of double-sided tape along the top edge of your paper. Make sure that the tape goes from edge-to-edge. You will be using this to seal your Christmas cracker shut.
    • If you added a cracker snap, the tape will be just above it.
  5. Use a strip of double-sided tape to attach an empty toilet paper tube to the bottom-center of your paper. You should have about 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) to either side of your toilet paper tube.[1] If you can't find any toilet paper tubes, you can cut an empty paper towel tube in half. You can also get an empty wrapping paper tube, and cut it into 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) long segments.
  6. Roll the toilet paper tube towards the top of the paper. Try to roll it as evenly and as tightly as you can so that the paper is smooth.[1] When you get to the top edge, run your finger along it to seal the tape down.[2]
  7. Tie one of the ends of the Christmas cracker shut, as close to the toilet paper tube as you can.[3] Do not tie the other end shut yet. You can use just about anything to tie the cracker shut, but it might look better if it matches your paper or your theme. For example:
    • If you want something fancy or elegant, use a piece of satin ribbon, sheer ribbon, or curling ribbon.
    • If you want something cozy or rustic-looking, use baker's twine, jute or hemp cord, or yarn.

Filling the Cracker

  1. Fill the Christmas cracker with your choice of goodies, then tie it shut with a patching piece of ribbon or string. You do not have to fill your Christmas cracker with everything listed in this section. Instead, use this section to get ideas and inspiration. Choose items that suit your budget, party theme, and guests.
  2. Add a paper crown if you want something traditional. One of the most popular items is the paper crown. It is great for adults and children alike. You can make your own out of gold poster paper or out of butcher paper. Here's how you do it:[1]
    • Measure your head and add 2 inches (5.08 centimeters).
    • Cut a 2½-inch (6.35-centimeter) wide strip of paper according to that measurement.
    • Cut a zigzag pattern into one of the long edges.
    • Overlap the two narrow ends by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) and secure them with a piece of double-sided tape.
    • Roll the crown up into a tube, then tie it up with a piece of string. This allows the crown to fit into your cracker.
  3. Add some Christmas greetings, facts, and jokes. You can find lots of Christmas-themed facts and jokes online; you can also make up your own. Write or print your greetings, facts, and jokes on little slips of paper. You can take things a step further, and decorate them with Christmas-themed stickers, stamps, or simple illustrations.[4] Pieces of washi tape around the borders would be a nice touch too. Here are some other examples of messages that you can include:
    • A Make a Fortune Finder
    • A riddle
    • A blessing or a spiritual message
    • A recipe
  4. Add some small gifts. You can find lots of small items that can fit inside a Christmas cracker in the goodie bag section of a party store. The dollar section of an arts and crafts store may also carry some suitable items. Many stores also have a stocking stuffer section once the holiday season rolls around. Browse through those sections, and pick out some items to stuff your crackers with. Here are some ideas to get you started:
    • Candies or chocolates
    • Costume jewelry, such as "pearl" necklaces and clip-on earrings
    • Mini manicure kits and mini bottles of nail polish
    • Mini stationary items, such as: notepads, pens, novelty erases, etc.
    • Plastic figurines, toy cars, etc.
    • Small toys such as a spinning top, dice, hopping frog, etc.
    • Vouchers or gift cards for music, cafes, restaurants, etc.
  5. Add an element of surprise with confetti or glitter. Keep in mind that this can get very messy, so only do this if you don't mind cleaning up afterwards. It would also be best to open confetti or glitter-filled crackers after the meal is over to avoid getting bits of paper or glitter into the food.
  6. Tuck in a few coins or paper bills. Keep the amounts small and equal between your guests. It wouldn't be fair if one guest got a lot of money while another did not. Choose coins that are clean and shiny, and paper money that is crisp and clean. Dirty, grimy, wrinkled money may quickly the appeal away.
    • Do not include money if you plan on including candy, even if the candy is wrapped.
  7. Keep your gifts together by packaging them. This will give your guests something to unwrap as well as prevent messes. A small, organza bag would work for a fancier Christmas cracker.[4] Matching tissue paper would work for a simpler Christmas cracker.[1]

Decorating the Cracker (Optional)

  1. Consider decorating your Christmas Cracker Once you have tied your Christmas cracker shut, you are essentially done. You can, however, take things a step further and add some decorations. You do not have to do all of the decorations listed in this section. Instead, choose the ones that appeal the most to you.
  2. Cut the ends of your ribbons at angles for a nice finish.[1] Seal the ends with some fray-check or clear nail polish to prevent fraying. This will give your crackers that final, elegant touch; it will also make them look more professional.
    • If you used curling ribbon, consider curling the ends instead, but running them between your finger and the end of a pair of scissors.
  3. Add some contrast with another strip of paper. Cut a 4 by 8-inch (10.16 by 20.32-centimeter) strip of contrasting paper, and wrap it around the middle of your Christmas cracker. Seal the edge with a strip of double-sided tape.[4]
  4. Add a pretty label to the front of your Christmas cracker. This can be as simple as a Christmas sticker with a Christmas greeting on it. If this is for a party, consider using a "To/From" style label instead, and writing the person's name on it. Use this as a place setting for your dinner party in place of the standard nametag.
  5. Decorate the ends of the cracker with washi tape or stick-on rhinestones.[2] Another idea would be to get some fancy scissors, and cut a notched or scalloped edge into the paper.
  6. Add some mini floral picks to your cracker. Many craft stores sell mini pine branches, holly leaves, and red berries for decorating gifts and wreaths with. These are great for Christmas cracker. Even though they are small to begin with, you might want to cut them down further so that they'd be more proportionate to your Christmas cracker. You can attach them to the body of the cracker, or to the ends where the ties are, with hot glue or pieces of clear tape.
    • If you are making blue, white, and silver Winter Wonderland-themed crackers, consider adding some mini, sparkly snowflake ornaments to them instead.
  7. Use stamps to make plain paper crackers look more interesting. An ink pad and a Christmas-themed rubber stamp can add a touch of old-timey design to a cracker covered with brown butcher paper. It will make the paper look more interesting, but it is simple enough to not detract from that cozy, rustic feel.
  8. Decorate the tube with glitter glue. This works great on construction paper, but you can use it on other types of glue as well. If you used wrapping paper or patterned scrapbook paper, you can use the original design as a guide. Glitter glue can take a while to dry, so it would be best to do this the night before your party.
    • You can also do this using puffy paint instead.
  9. Finished.

Tips

  • If you used cracker snaps, you can open them by tugging firmly at each end. If you did not use cracker snaps, you can simply tear the ends off, or untie the ribbons.
  • Small trinkets can be found in dollar stores, toy stores, stationery stores, and even dispensing machines at the front of many stores.
  • Keep your guests in mind. If your guests are children, consider including things like toys and candy. If your guests are adults, consider including things like riddles, jokes, mini stationary/manicure kits, and so forth.
  • Many stores have a stocking stuffer section once the holiday season starts. These are great places to get stuffers for your crackers.
  • Some stores sell kits for making your own crackers.
  • If the ends of your crackers are not coming out nicely, tuck a rolled-up piece of cardstock into each end of your toilet paper tube before you roll it up. Remove the cardstock before you tie the cracker.
  • Be sure to peel off any excess bits of paper off of your toilet paper tube before you begin.

Warnings

  • Do not give these to children under the age of 3 to prevent choking hazards.
  • Warn your guests ahead of time if you included cracker snaps. They may not expect this, and they may get startled—and not necessarily in a good way.

Things You'll Need

  • Empty toilet paper tube
  • Ruler
  • Pen or pencil
  • Scissors
  • Double-sided tape
  • Christmas-themed paper
  • Ribbon or string
  • Filling items (candy, small toys, etc.)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 http://www.molliemakes.com/tutorials/diy-christmas-crackers/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.taradennis.com.au/create/celebrations/christmas/sparkly-bon-bons.html
  3. ↑ http://ohhappyday.com/2012/11/christmas-crackers-diy/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://festivalgrove.com/?p=724

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