To not buy Christmas crackers?

[shrumps]

Ok so it's early...chatting amongst friends tonight I said that I was trying to have a 'less shit Christmas'. I didn't mean I wanted to have less fun, but I do think an awful lot of plastic crap is bought which ends in landfill - and Christmas crackers has got to be right up there on the pointless junk list. Am I a Christmas killjoy or is this a no brainer?

You can buy plain cardboard crackers (or make them) that are not filled. I had great fun last year filling them with non plastic goodies.

I think I read that Waitrose are committed this year to not selling crackers it’s plastic

But I do agree plastic tat is a waste and should be avoided

I agree that they are pointless junk, but I would still buy them if I was hosting, or had children. Could you make your own, so that you can put something decent inside? I bought Hotel Chocolat ones last year, and all chocolates were eaten!

I feel the same. I am currently trying to find nice boxes of Christmas cards without glitter or foil. I know M and S have them but I don't want to spend that much... it shouldn't cost more to just have cards made of card!

We are at MILs and I am not sure she will go for a 'no crackers' Christmas... she loves her tat!

Great idea to fill them myself! Hadn't thought of that. Was thinking of the awful mini combs/magnifying glasses etc and useless tiny plastic animals I've had over the years!

Have not had them for years.
Don’t miss them one bit.

Dunelm do plastic free crackers.

I start hoarding loo roll tubes from about now and make my own with crepe paper, very very simply and all can go in the recycling bin. I'll put in a joke, a paper hat, a sweety and something else - last year, kooky pens which are all still in use.

Besides, I'm not in the UK and cannot buy them or have them sent over, or pack them in a suitcase and fly with them (explosives! ), so DIY very much a necessity.

Mini bottles of whiskey /. brandy / port went well - I luckily got some earrings - not rigged at all!
You could also recycle minis that come with beauty products etc.

The hotel chocolate ones looked fab as well

Although the Dunelm ones are sold out.

I always make my own. It's amazing what you can fit in them!

It's not Christmas without crackers and I can't imagine my table looking ready for festive fare unless there's a cracker by every place setting, or a pile of them if it's a buffet.

We are making them at school and filling with a joke and some sweets.

Can be recycled and no junk!

Love these ideas, thanks all - will have a go at making them.

Apparently Waitrose are doing plastic free ones this year

Make your own ones are really fun. You can google for good jokes, include things people won't just chuck out, and even buy snaps online.

What about something like these:
www.clearcrystal.com/six-luxury-crackers-made-crystals-swarovski/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItJaYwZvM5QIVgrTtCh03qQhEEAQYAiABEgK6sPD_BwE
We buy from TK Maxx every year and you can always get plastic free and we do use the contents. you still have the non-recyclable outer but ....

The works have make your own sets, will add a scratch card and chocolate coin to ours.

Why on earth did you feel the need to post an AIBU about this? Of course you're not BU but it smacks of virtue signalling.

I love crackers! Haven't had plastic in them for years though, if you want to fill your own or buy plastic free it's easy to do.

Definitely not worth buying though if you don't enjoy them though. I think that should apply to all Christmas traditions.

I used to volunteer at our local NT property at Christmas occupying the kids waiting for Santa and we would make crackers as described above, the kids loved it, and also liked making personalised paper hats to go in them too.

YANBU of course, but I can’t stand the preachy posts I’ve seen on fb etc telling the rest of us not to have them. I buy quite nice ones and it’s only once a year so I’m not going to stop, fair play to those who do though as long as, like you OP, they don’t preach at the rest of us

Keep an eye on groupon. I got six crackers filled with sterling silver jewellery/keyring/mini hipflask etc for pretty much what you pay for supermarket crackers.

Why on earth did you feel the need to post an AIBU about this? Of course you're not BU but it smacks of virtue signalling

Exactly, apart from the fact that not buying crackers is a pretty big "thing" already this year on social media how can we know if not having them will affect your enjoyment?

I think I’m right in saying that if you are under 25 or look under 25 you have to show ID in the shop when buying crackers! Just to forewarn you, and so you don’t shout at the poor person on the till.

I’m the same with the rubbish plastic tat you get in crackers, its only 2 of us so would happily pay extra to have 2 crackers with decent prizes
Last year we got the hotel Chocolat
This year considering these > www.lookfantastic.com/beauty-box/lookfantastic-christmas-crackers-worth-over-60/12263543.html?rctxt=default
Obviously only suitable for adults!