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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.

OP posts:
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16
SunmerSazz · 14/12/2024 08:44

Everyone who come to my house for Xmas dinner has to bring a cracker. Max £1 gift (although may have to increase that next year!)

Some great presents from £1 shop or charity shops or a lottery ticket if all else fails!

It works really well and much more interesting than shop crackers

booisbooming · 14/12/2024 08:44

Don't these fit every part of your brief except the budget, such is the way of the modern world

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-luxury-printed-christmas-crackers-pack-of-6-multi/p111500738?srsltid=AfmBOop3UfZLJCkd2NQBXRL7knd177ICwuHbbBl1sE0Diu63Gvl9ek8O9bg&gQT=1

CrackersAndMarmite · 14/12/2024 08:43

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:41

Very true, I could have wrapped all of the sodding presents in the 8 hours I have been searching!!
I do understand the ridiculousness of the situation.... but can't quite force myself to buy any of the hundreds of crackers I have seen just because they are not exactly to my random specifications or if they are they cost about £65 for a pack of 6.
Think I'm trying to live a champagne lifestyle on a prosecco budget.

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🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nitgel · 14/12/2024 08:43

I just ordered the rspb ones linked above. They look great.

CrackersAndMarmite · 14/12/2024 08:42

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:37

I care because if I just buy some from Aldi they will all end up straight in the bin including the tat inside them.
It's just wasting money buying the cheap ones in my opinion, if I get something nice with a decent gift people will be more inclined to keep it.

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Honestly, I think you should just get the fill your own ones!

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:41

CrackersAndMarmite · 14/12/2024 08:35

I have gone with cheap supermarket charades crackers this year because I thought it would be fun!

But normally I do 'fill your own'. You can then choose gifts for the teens and adults that best suit them. I really enjoy it. Why have you ruled out 'fill your own'? You could have made them in the 8 hours you've spent searching!!!

Very true, I could have wrapped all of the sodding presents in the 8 hours I have been searching!!
I do understand the ridiculousness of the situation.... but can't quite force myself to buy any of the hundreds of crackers I have seen just because they are not exactly to my random specifications or if they are they cost about £65 for a pack of 6.
Think I'm trying to live a champagne lifestyle on a prosecco budget.

OP posts:
luckylavender · 14/12/2024 08:41

ElfAndSafetyBored · 14/12/2024 07:32

How about bamboo Christmas sock crackers?

www.sockshop.co.uk/products/mens-and-ladies-6-pair-sockshop-christmas-cracker-gift-boxed-bamboo-socks/?colour=Multi&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_G6wFJnScU2LswKl3oyKYLhpWrE&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0--6BhCBARIsADYqyL__3j9gU-yL9UB_vpgovLssMbUBTtG5ITPdI5KopMJE5gwoKnObRIIaAhx6EALw_wcB

I wasn't going to bother with crackers but these are great. Thank you.

duckduckgooseduckagain · 14/12/2024 08:41

No tiny screwdrivers? When my 4 adult children were small they all wanted the cracker with the tiny screwdriver!

CrackersAndMarmite · 14/12/2024 08:41

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:34

What is actually inside the cracker please, there doesn't seem to be a picture unless I'm missing something?

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Some scary looking nutcracker men figures that look like they might murder me in my sleep by the look of it OP!! I'd avoid unless you want to be the star of the latest Christmas day horror movie!

Bloody Christmas Crackers
RampantIvy · 14/12/2024 08:37

SharpOpalNewt · 14/12/2024 07:31

Good ones we've had before had some kind of game inside we played together.

When the kids were small we had ones with wind up Santas and reindeer and we had a race across the table with them.

I have just bought some from TK Maxx with games inside. They are plastic free and completely recyclable.

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:37

usernother · 14/12/2024 08:33

No one cares about the crackers. Especially not teenagers. Honestly. No one is going to keep anything they get out of a cracker. Just buy some from Aldi.

I care because if I just buy some from Aldi they will all end up straight in the bin including the tat inside them.
It's just wasting money buying the cheap ones in my opinion, if I get something nice with a decent gift people will be more inclined to keep it.

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:36

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:32

I do keep looking at these and I think they are gorgeous however...are they appropriate for the three teen boys? My sister and my daughter would love them but I think I would have to get some different ones for the boys and that bumps the cost up (you can see why I am 8 hours in and no further on 😆)

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So you should get fidget ones for the boys and teddy ones for the other family - but it bumps cost up. Mixing and matching the types. But then you save some for next year so it’s cheaper then.

We had them a couple of years ago and my younger teen boys thought they were v cute! But they can be pretty soppy.

CrackersAndMarmite · 14/12/2024 08:35

I have gone with cheap supermarket charades crackers this year because I thought it would be fun!

But normally I do 'fill your own'. You can then choose gifts for the teens and adults that best suit them. I really enjoy it. Why have you ruled out 'fill your own'? You could have made them in the 8 hours you've spent searching!!!

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:34

Nomorepants · 14/12/2024 08:15

I bought these from here at full price. Now have just ordered more for future years at a massive discount.

www.musicroom.com/christmas-crackers-vintage-nutcracker-6x30cm-rr62231

What is actually inside the cracker please, there doesn't seem to be a picture unless I'm missing something?

OP posts:
usernother · 14/12/2024 08:33

No one cares about the crackers. Especially not teenagers. Honestly. No one is going to keep anything they get out of a cracker. Just buy some from Aldi.

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:32

Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:21

Kuckoo crackers are lovely and have really nice gifts, we had a version of these ones the other year, plus some fidget toy ones.

https://amzn.eu/d/2hfqVXO

You won’t be able to find really nice luxury type ones in a pack of 8 though. For some reason they are always in packs of 6 or perhaps 4. Strongly suggest buying two packs of 6, and saving some for next year.

I do keep looking at these and I think they are gorgeous however...are they appropriate for the three teen boys? My sister and my daughter would love them but I think I would have to get some different ones for the boys and that bumps the cost up (you can see why I am 8 hours in and no further on 😆)

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:21

Kuckoo crackers are lovely and have really nice gifts, we had a version of these ones the other year, plus some fidget toy ones.

https://amzn.eu/d/2hfqVXO

You won’t be able to find really nice luxury type ones in a pack of 8 though. For some reason they are always in packs of 6 or perhaps 4. Strongly suggest buying two packs of 6, and saving some for next year.

Kuckoo Crackers - 6 x 13-inch Teddy Bear Christmas Crackers : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Kuckoo Crackers - 6 x 13-inch Teddy Bear Christmas Crackers: Kuckoo Crackers - 6 x 13-inch Teddy Bear Christmas Crackers: Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

https://amzn.eu/d/2hfqVXO?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5230128-bloody-christmas-crackers

Nomorepants · 14/12/2024 08:15

I bought these from here at full price. Now have just ordered more for future years at a massive discount.

www.musicroom.com/christmas-crackers-vintage-nutcracker-6x30cm-rr62231

Deerrobin · 14/12/2024 08:12

Ive done similar, the options this year really seem a bit shit. Last year we went for ‘Lego’ ones which were good and the sets have been used again this year, you get kids though. Haven’t found anything I want yet this year and fed up of looking now.

Snoopystick · 14/12/2024 08:09

I agree that nice crackers are hard to find. I’m just going to get some cheapish ones and get some nice chocolates and a lottery ticket separately for each place setting

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 07:55

I don't know, I think I've got a mental block with regards to crackers of all things!
I'm sure I had some years ago that came with a felt Christmas tree decoration?
I just want something nice and not too gaudy with a gift that won't be instantly heading for landfill.
I think I will have to give up and make my own!
Thanks for all of the suggestions though.

OP posts:
SharpOpalNewt · 14/12/2024 07:54

I've got these mini ones for Boxing Day.

littlecake.co.uk/product/mistletoe-crackers/

Eenameenadeeka · 14/12/2024 07:49

Sounds like you might need to make your own. Last year we got some with little Santa cars and did races that was fun

ElfAndSafetyBored · 14/12/2024 07:40

Have you looked at John Lewis? Theirs are all non plastic anyway.

dancinfeet · 14/12/2024 07:38

a set of make your own crackers with a lottery scratch card in each one and an after dinner mint chocolate.