Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
16
Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 09:34

BitOutOfPractice · 14/12/2024 09:29

Im not sure what you’re expecting for £3 a pop. In 8 hours you could’ve made them about 3 times over.

I have already admitted I could have spent my time far more wisely and that I have champagne tastes on a prosecco budget!
I am fully aware of the lunacy of this situation 😂

OP posts:
Spaceid · 14/12/2024 09:33

Are people (especially teenage boys) going honestly going to keep a small felt hanging decoration? How about something edible then it won’t go to waste?

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.

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 14/12/2024 09:33

If you compromise on the keepsake, hotel chocolat do crackers. You could get their mini crackers within budget, or the full size ones for slightly over. There are taskmaster ones that are on a watermelon theme. So not that christmassy, but probably more suited to the age range you are looking at.

Failing that, you could buy keepsakes and just sneak them in the side of any pre-made crackers you like. Budget is likely to be the issue there.

Newgirls · 14/12/2024 09:30

Those rspb holly ones are great. Nice key ring and grater for teens. You could always buy felt decos from somewhere else and simply lay them on your plates/napkins?

BitOutOfPractice · 14/12/2024 09:29

Im not sure what you’re expecting for £3 a pop. In 8 hours you could’ve made them about 3 times over.

DutifulLark · 14/12/2024 09:26

OP this was me last year. I ended up splashing out on some (what me and DH thought were fabulous) locked room puzzle crackers. I wrongly thought this would provide a lovely interlude between main course and dessert. Two of our guests refused to engage in any way with them and absolutely killed the mood as it required everyone to join in. My mother insisted that there were instructions missing and kept berating my DH implying this was somehow his fault. I was so cross I went to do the washing up and left the teenagers to deal with it (which was quite funny as the GPs are far less rude to them). This year I have spent £3.99 on a box of 12 Lidl crackers with charades in. They are entirely made of paper. I've bought a new board game for us to play with the teens when the ingrates in my family have gone home.

zingally · 14/12/2024 09:24

I think meaningful keepsake x8 and under £25 is your stumbling block.

MeanMrMustardSeed · 14/12/2024 09:19

Gerrysmum · 14/12/2024 07:33

I've gone for these from the RSPB - https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/christmas-shop/christmas-crackers/wildwood-recycled-crackers-pin-badges-2x-boxes-of-6.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0--6BhCBARIsADYqyL9lKt-WhAhOi5LHXggCA2_J1ssjXU69bJge-_1hzdIDaRVmxSIaYVYaAs_cEALw_wcB

We love the pin badges and they are something a bit different to the usual tat.

I hadn’t checked these threads for a week, as I had finished my shopping. Proudly announced to DH that I had had my last twitch (harmonica for DC14 after a request at dinner). Am now enjoying my lie in and thought I’d have a quick browse of MN, saw this post and £85 later…
In my defence, I hadn’t bought any tree decorations this year, and usually like to add a couple, so got the gorgeous pewter doves for £5 down from £12. I also got calendars for 3 of the DC at £5 each. And bought 40m of wrapping paper. I was disappointed in all the paper this year in the shops, ended getting ok stuff from Waitrose in the half price sale, so will feel smug in November knowing I’ve got green forest and red bird paper at the ready. Oh, and the gorgeous bird bin badge crackers!! All on offer. I also feel like I’ve helped the birds a bit! Thank you for posting.

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 09:18

Thanks everyone for putting up with my madness and all of your suggestions!
I nearly bought the Wrendale pack of six but decided I definitely need 8....
If I can't find any today that fit the brief then I will give up and make my own.
I have stuff to do (important stuff) and pissing about looking for crackers is achieving nothing 😂

OP posts:
WimpoleHat · 14/12/2024 09:04

Honestly - I think this is a case of accepting that what you want just doesn’t exist. If you want “keepsakes” as character gifts, then you’re probably looking at Fortnum and Mason and £200+. Do you have a TK Maxx? They have some of the large, branded crackers - if you spend £15/20 there, you’ll get something that looks impressive, but I’m afraid it’ll still be nail clippers inside!

sweetpickle2 · 14/12/2024 09:02

They’re beautiful, but very expensive if you need 8!

OP posts:
Whyherewego · 14/12/2024 08:56

Best ones I got were from Etsy with handmade knitted Christmas decorations inside. I think still being sold on Etsy

Comff · 14/12/2024 08:55

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:46

Yes, but don't you think the gifts are a bit naff for £40? Or am I just being ridiculously picky?

Show quote history

They do have a bit of an unfinished Hobbycraft vibe.

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:54

Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:48

I still hanker after the “snowbabies” crackers from late 1980s which had little mini ceramic baby animals in them - Penguin, seal cub, snow fox etc. They were so cute.

OMG yes!!
Perhaps that's why I'm frozen with indecision, nothing will ever compare to those lovely little crackers.

OP posts:
sweetpickle2 · 14/12/2024 08:54

Or these, which don’t seem to be bird themed but I think fit the bill (although now I just want ones that all have tiny pots of jam in) shopping.rspb.org.uk/christmas-shop/christmas-crackers/holly-luxury-christmas-crackers.html

Hedonism · 14/12/2024 08:51

Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:48

I still hanker after the “snowbabies” crackers from late 1980s which had little mini ceramic baby animals in them - Penguin, seal cub, snow fox etc. They were so cute.

Oh yes! They were the best 😍

Meanwhile I've just ordered the sock ones linked up thread, thank you.

sweetpickle2 · 14/12/2024 08:51

GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:46

Yes, but don't you think the gifts are a bit naff for £40? Or am I just being ridiculously picky?

Show quote history

What would be your idea of a non naff gift? You said keepsake, which these are.

I love the sock ones from this thread, although I’d still want a paper hat and a snapper.

Talipesmum · 14/12/2024 08:48

I still hanker after the “snowbabies” crackers from late 1980s which had little mini ceramic baby animals in them - Penguin, seal cub, snow fox etc. They were so cute.

Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:46

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

Yes, but don't you think the gifts are a bit naff for £40? Or am I just being ridiculously picky?

OP posts:
Original poster
GlamorousHeifer · 14/12/2024 08:44

Nitgel · 14/12/2024 08:43

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

I do keep looking at those...they are the closest I have come to buying any!

OP posts: