Project idea ยท Christmas
Handmade Christmas crackers
A cracker for every place setting, filled with the things your family actually wants (and jokes at least as bad as the shop-bought ones).
Pulling crackers is about as British as Christmas gets. Making your own means you can match them to your table, choose your own little gifts and write jokes aimed squarely at Uncle Keith. A batch of eight takes an evening, and it's a lovely job to share with older children.
Step by step
- Cut your paper to about 30 × 18cm. If you have a scoring board, score lines about 8cm in from each short end to help the ends crimp neatly.
- Lay three tubes end to end along the long edge: one in the middle and one at each end, leaving a small gap between them.
- Thread a cracker snap through all three tubes so it runs the full length.
- Put the hat, joke and gift into the middle tube.
- Run double-sided tape along the paper edge and roll it tightly around the tubes.
- Gently slide the end tubes out by about 2cm and tie ribbon around each gap to pinch the ends. Remove the end tubes (or leave them in for a sturdier cracker).
- Decorate with name tags so they double as place cards.
Safety note
Cracker snaps contain a tiny amount of explosive compound and should be stored and used as the packaging directs, away from heat. Supervise children, and check any gifts are suitable for the youngest person at the table.
More festive ideas in our seasonal crafts guide, or see all project ideas.