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Original poster

Bloody Christmas Crackers

259 replies

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 07:21

I am driving myself mad (admittedly a short drive!) over Christmas crackers of all things!
I must have been looking online researching my options for about 8+ hours (in total, not 8 straight hours, I'm not that crazy!) but none of them are quite right.
Must be:
*Plastic free
*Beautiful
*8 pack
*Pre made, not make yourself
*Decent gift (no toe nail clippers or tiny screwdrivers!) Ideally a keepsake.
*Suitable for teen boys and girls
*Not more than £25.
Aibu to believe the crackers of my dreams exist despite an extensive search coming up with nothing?
For those that need to hear it, this is lighthearted, yes I do have plenty of other things to worry about, yes I know the COL has gone up and some people won't be able to celebrate at all etc etc.

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Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 05/01/2025 18:38

Rosti1981 · 05/01/2025 18:07

The RSPB chocolate crackers were great but the gliders were rubbish as the slots were too big, so the bird wings and bird bodies didn't slot together properly let alone fly. However at least they were card so easily recyclable.

That's disappointing!

OP posts:
Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 05/01/2025 18:38

Deadbeatex · 04/01/2025 18:18

I'd forgotten about this thread, how were the crackers @GlamorousHeifer would you recommend for next year or are you starting the hunt for next years now as you ended up disappointed??

I had also forgotten about this thread!
I will definitely be ordering the chocolate RSPB crackers again next year. They were beautiful on the table and the chocolate inside was lovely.
Hope everyone has a fabulous 2025🎊

OP posts:
Rosti1981 · 05/01/2025 18:07

The RSPB chocolate crackers were great but the gliders were rubbish as the slots were too big, so the bird wings and bird bodies didn't slot together properly let alone fly. However at least they were card so easily recyclable.

Deadbeatex · 04/01/2025 18:18

I'd forgotten about this thread, how were the crackers @GlamorousHeifer would you recommend for next year or are you starting the hunt for next years now as you ended up disappointed??

Storynanny1 · 04/01/2025 12:05

I bought a box of 6 with racing reindeers, gave all 6 to the 2 little grandchildren with us Christmas Day and it gave 4 adults a whole hour to enjoy our dinner in peace!

Runskiyoga · 03/01/2025 16:04

DH got Tesco ones and everyone was just briefly puzzled because there was no gift in them. Some shite brain teaser or something. But heh, it saved me from spending a fortune and still feeling disappointed!

Talipesmum · 02/01/2025 22:57

We had house of games crackers and they were great fun, though they really only work if there are 6 or fewer of you, as the questions / jokes etc are the same if you get another box.

We used the house of games ones before Xmas when we had other family with us, and I quickly ordered some fiddle gadget ones from Amazon for our smaller gathering on Xmas day. Didn’t really read the reviews other than to see the gadgets looked fun. BIG mistake. Weirdest crackers ever - each cracker was completely packed with confetti. Pulled them over the table at the start of the meal and confetti everywhere, in drinks, on a few plates, aaaallll over the floor and table! We are still finding bits. Luckily it was very funny and nobody was cross about it, all v good humoured, but bloody hell! On the back of the box it said “do not open near food”. Who sells Christmas crackers you can’t pop near food?!

Totally going rspb next year!

PomandersandRedRibbon · 02/01/2025 00:02

I got the kazoo ones recommended and unfortunately some didn't work however the ones that did were good fun

Talkingfrog · 01/01/2025 23:25

Not sure how many others ended up getting rspb crackers, but we ended up with two different sets. We ordered ones with pin badges in, and were given ones with decorations inside. Have only pulled some of the decoration ones - will keep them for next Christmas. We met up with family today and pulled the pin badge ones - they went down really well - jokes and facts inside were well done too. Thank you for making the thread, and to those that suggested the rspb crackers. Hope everyone has a good 2025.

BakeOffRewatch · 25/12/2024 18:01

How were your crackers @GlamorousHeifer ? And everyone else’s? I bought these Meri Meri ones for £15+£7 next day delivery on Friday and have been very happy with them merimeri.co.uk/products/pastel-fringe-medium-crackers

Talkingfrog · 20/12/2024 07:53

Hope you enjoy them.

Thanks to this thread I found the Rdpb pin badge crackers. Just need postie to knock so I can answer the door to get them.

( apparently they tried to deliver yesterday. Didn't hear a knock on the door and no card, so hopefully today).

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 20/12/2024 07:36

Quick update, my crackers have arrived! For those that remember (or care🤣) I ordered the RSPB ones with a chocolate treat inside, they are so pretty! Obviously I can't comment on the contents but I am very happy with them.
It was a long road but my cracker journey is finally over!

OP posts:
XiCi · 19/12/2024 22:12

Jeezitneverends · 19/12/2024 09:44

I may have bought some fortune telling fish on eBay this week…time to let my adult kids know what 1970s/80s style Christmas was about 🤣

I did this last year, everyone loved them 😀

Jeezitneverends · 19/12/2024 09:44

I may have bought some fortune telling fish on eBay this week…time to let my adult kids know what 1970s/80s style Christmas was about 🤣

Addled1 · 18/12/2024 20:46

Wildywondrous · 14/12/2024 09:33

I've been having the opposite problem and just want some cheap throwaway ones that don't have a game in, I dont want to be playing games while I eat my christmas dinner.
The kids are only interested in the hat and the joke.
I want the old style ones with a frog that you can flip across the table and a fortune telling fish.

Same here. I miss those. I get the issue with plastic waste but they actually got kept in our house. My mum has a tiny plastic whistle on her tree that her Dad got in a cracker in the 50s

CleaningAngel · 18/12/2024 08:30

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 07:21

I am driving myself mad (admittedly a short drive!) over Christmas crackers of all things!
I must have been looking online researching my options for about 8+ hours (in total, not 8 straight hours, I'm not that crazy!) but none of them are quite right.
Must be:
*Plastic free
*Beautiful
*8 pack
*Pre made, not make yourself
*Decent gift (no toe nail clippers or tiny screwdrivers!) Ideally a keepsake.
*Suitable for teen boys and girls
*Not more than £25.
Aibu to believe the crackers of my dreams exist despite an extensive search coming up with nothing?
For those that need to hear it, this is lighthearted, yes I do have plenty of other things to worry about, yes I know the COL has gone up and some people won't be able to celebrate at all etc etc.

Think you're looking for utopia!! And if you find what you're looking for they will be very expensive.
Why don't you make your own?

Santina · 17/12/2024 19:46

I've bought some with Gazoo's in so after dinner there is a music game to play. No idea how it will pan out, but much more entertaining than the plastic tat.

Barbadossunset · 17/12/2024 16:35

VictoriaEra · 17/12/2024 15:55

I've just ordered some Robin Reed. They look beautiful and the gifts are musical chime notes - combined they make a xylophone. It comes with simple music so everyone can play their not and join in a carol. Not got them yet but reviews seem good. I got them from Amazon.

We had those once - it was great fun and a laugh.

GiantBears · 17/12/2024 16:31

I have bought some that have a xylophone in them if you include the gift in all 8 together. I think that might be fun.

VictoriaEra · 17/12/2024 15:55

I've just ordered some Robin Reed. They look beautiful and the gifts are musical chime notes - combined they make a xylophone. It comes with simple music so everyone can play their not and join in a carol. Not got them yet but reviews seem good. I got them from Amazon.

housethatbuiltme · 17/12/2024 14:16

Just find some cheap, pretty, tat free crackers & then buy fillers you want separate and pop them in... its what most people who want something other than the standard toe nail clippers and metal puzzle do.

KiriG · 17/12/2024 08:55

Get some, undo the end, remove gift, add gift of your choice and retie.

You can then bang the crackers or keep opening this way to reuse