Christmas Crackers

[Ismeyes]

I'm looking for some really nice Christmas crackers, does anyone have any recommendations? I want some that are suitable for families, rather than the 'luxury' ones which are filled with silvery nicknacks.

Me too! I love crckers but they always dissapoint. I don't want crap but neither do I want crap masquerading as "quality heirloms" such as ugly photo frames or crappy thimbles. I am making my own I think!

Me and my sister are making our own for our family. Ds's will have a small playmobil set ( not in the box) but that's as far as we've got lol

Is there such a thing?

What age are your DCs?

Last year I was on the hunt for crackers with suitable presents for under-3yos and only found some with little finger puppets at a garden centre.

I did then find some kid's crackers after Christmas in the Boots sale, so have those stashed away in the loft for this year.

But decent quality, mid-range, neither plastic tat nor silver-plated gifts? No, never seen that!

Personally I'd love some of the Lancome crackers,with mini products inside, but they are hugely expensive.

We make our own, we each write a joke, chop up a Christmas card picture from last year to make a jigsaw, put in a couple of sweets and party hats (scavenged from crackers at other parties), and shout "bang" as they open. What a sad life I lead, but it keeps the kids amused for a morning of the holidays anyway

Either make your own, or buy the ones with wind-up racing toys eg reindeer or sprouts. Then clear the dinner table and let the fun begin. I usually get them in Sainbury or Tesco.

Hawkins Bazaar usually sell the 'bangs' for home-made crackers.

Another fan of make your own here. We put a small gift and a chocolate inside. I also put the persons name on the cracker so that it doubles up as a place name setting as well.

John Lewis are selling some mini crackers with masks and tasks in. No toys but hoping for more entertainment from them than from the usual cracker fillers!

I got some from oxfam last year, they are empty so you can fill them yourself with appropriate things. I got tiny organza bags on eBay to look pretty and keep the things together.

I think I will have to go for making my own or some racing ones then. My DD is 5 so happy with the tat, but we had a bad Xmas last year so am just trying to make this Christmas extra nice.