Christmas Crackers: How To Make These Special Gifts?

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

As the holiday season approaches, the most impatient are already starting to plan celebrations that are grandiose, colorful and full of surprises. If you are among them, we have something for you! This season, in addition to DIY ornaments playing the role of centerpieces and creative place cards, personalize your table decoration also with last minute gifts in the form of Christmas crackers. If the items on the market seem boring, try making your own models with little treasures hidden in them. Just follow our tutorials and you're done!

What do Christmas crackers represent?

Coming to us from the British Christmas tradition, the superb Christmas crackers are in fact surprise papillotes with thematic patterns and opening with the sound of a firecracker on the occasion of the festive meal. They are generally distributed in the dish of each guest on the end-of-year festive table. The ritual requires two people to open the packaging by pulling the ends in opposite directions.

Traditionally, plate gifts hold fun little trinkets, luxurious candy, personalized messages, party hats, as well as colorful confetti or paper wreaths that guests place nicely on their heads and wear throughout dinner. to liven up the evening.

How to make English Christmas crackers? - detailed tutorial

Materials

• gift wrapping paper with Christmas motifs
• scissors
• cutter
• marker pen
• rule
• cutting mat
• fringe snaps for crackers
• glue
• transparent adhesive tape
• silk paper
• gold marker or metallic paint and brush
• paper labels
• string or ribbon
• Kraft paper
• washi tape
• model to print
• A4 white paper and printer

1. Create the Christmas crackers

Step 1

First you need to cut your wrapping paper into sheets of 18cm x 28cm. These dimensions correspond to the size of the crackers if you print the design on a sheet of A4 paper. Place the cutting mat on your work surface and place the wrapping paper on top, printed side down.

Now calculate and mark the dimensions and cut using a craft knife and ruler as a guide. Create as many sheets of paper as you need crackers.

2nd step

Download the template image and implicate it as many times as needed in A4 paper size. The white areas represent the parts to be cut out.

Place the wrapping paper on the cutting mat with your printed template placed on top. Make sure the edge of the wrapping paper lines up perfectly with the outer edges of the template. When you are happy with the placement, use duct tape to secure the paper. The best way is to place the ribbon diagonally on all the corners, making sure the paper is completely flat.

Step 3

Use your craft knife to carefully cut out the two rows of diamond-shaped holes. This is the trickier part where more patience is needed.

Step 4

When all the holes are made, cut out the rest of the pieces to create the correct outline of the cracker, as shown below.

Step 5

Now it's time to fold your individual crackers. Using a ruler to guide you, fold along the dotted lines of the pattern. Then fold the diamond area inwards and fold the whole model again as shown in the photo.

Place the cracker on your countertop. The folded areas should look like this.

Then take one long side of the cracker and roll it to the other side. Diamond cuts will allow the paper to get a candy shape instead of a tube.

Secure the cracker in place by inserting the tabs into place. Leave it closed while you prepare the rest of the elements, so that it stabilizes in the shape. Repeat the same procedure to prepare as many gifts as the number of your guests at the table.

2. Make the paper crowns

Step 1

Cut a strip of tissue paper about 3 inches wide. Use the entire length of the paper.

2nd step

Fold the strip accordion style, then cut triangular shapes at the top.

Step 3

Separate each strip of tissue paper. Add a festive decorative touch to your wreaths with a gold marker or metallic paint. You can make circles, dots, lines or just add gold accents along the top of your designs.

Step 4

When the decorative designs are ready and dry, cut the strips of tissue paper. They should be about two feet long. If you plan to make wreaths for kids as well, just cut them a little smaller. Then, overlap the two ends and join them together with duct tape to form a circle.

When you're ready, carefully fold the tissue paper crowns so they can fit into the crackers.

3. Write humorous messages

Step 1

Cut small strips of kraft paper using your scissors. Write a personalized message or joke on each piece of paper. Wrap the paper in a small tube and seal with washi tape.

Sure enough, jokes are a big part of the fun as they act as an icebreaker for dinner while making your guests laugh.

4. Add the fringe snaps

Step 1

Cut the fringe snaps to fit the length of each cracker.

2nd step

Open the cracker. Fold the two ends of the snap fringe (about 0.5 cm) and glue them inside the cracker, along the long side.

5. Fill and close the Christmas crackers

Step 1

When the fringe snaps are firmly glued in place, it's time to fill your crackers. Place a folded wreath and a joke in the main body of each surprise box. Then you can add small gifts like homemade sore throat jelly candies that are ideal for the cold season or Christmas cookies and cupcakes. Of course, you can add more valuable coins as per your preference.

For women, you can make costume jewelry like a friendship bracelet made of fine pearls or a crystal necklace. A handmade lip balm or scrub is also a great idea. Let's not forget the gift vouchers for a favorite store or a romantic cake containing an engagement ring.

For men, you can make a bow tie, mug cover, or computer keyboard magnets. Or, you can include well-wrapped plant seeds.

As for the kids, you can make adorable Christmas finger puppets or fridge magnets for them. Other options are small toys, Christmas origami, coins.

Report, if you want to surprise everyone, opt for neutral trinkets like a key chain or why not, a pineapple pompom.

2nd step

When all the crackers are filled, roll them up and close them tightly by tucking the central tab into the cutout slot. Gently close the edges in the same way.

Step 3

In case your crackers have unique personalized gifts, it helps to add labels with names so everyone gets the right package.

Step 4

Now gently tie both ends of the cracker with string or ribbon. Likewise attach the labels.

DIY original, easy and ecological Christmas crackers from recyclable materials

Materials

• cracker model to download and print
• brown cardboard paper
• cutting board
• craft knife
• cardboard toilet paper rolls
• snap-bangs
• double sided tape
• rule
• baker's wire
• pencil

How to do:

1. Print out your template and trace it onto the cardboard paper with a pencil. Cut out the main shape of the cracker, then cut out all the triangles using your cutter and ruler.

2. Place your toilet paper roll in the middle of the brown cardboard paper just between the cut diamonds. Then, make the snap-fringe go through the cardboard roll. Fill the cavity with surprise gifts of your choice.

3. Place duct tape along the bottom edge of the cracker, avoiding the area of the triangles, then roll up and glue the cracker together.

4. Place a piece of baker's wire under the triangles at both ends, pull tight and tie.

5. Lastly, cut the ends of the visible snap-fringe. Decorate the plate gift as desired.

Things to put in your Christmas crackers

• Mini homemade soaps
• Individual masks
• Chocolates

• Dried fruits
• Seeds for growing herbs
• Mini cosmetics or perfumes
• Key ring

• DIY fridge magnets
• Mini nail polish
• Small Christmas tree ornaments made of paper, felt, cork, fimo, natural materials like pine cones, etc.

• Personalized message containing a precious memory with the person for whom it is intended
• A small map of the world
• DIY candles

• Handmade cup sleeve
• Mini soft toys
• Balloons

• Temporary tattoos (for children)
• Collectible figurines (for children)

Last line: crackers - for what occasions?

Despite their name, Christmas crackers aren't just for December! Make these easy and fun gifts for birthdays, Easter parties, baby showers and weddings. Create your own themed candy whenever you greet guests or celebrate a special event in your life. At least they make a pretty focal point on your festive table and everyone's eyes light up when they think about the fun to come. In this context, also consult our article on Christmas marbled crackers to make yourself !

Image credit: thesimplethings.com

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