Christmas cracker alternatives?

[AnaPhase88]

Seasons greetings, all!

Does anyone have any good alternatives to piling the table with crackers? I do think that they have their place, but it seems a lot of money/waste for plastic tat and a paper hat that never fits my massive head anyway .

So, ideas please!

Thanks in advance

P.S. This is for a group of 30-somethings for a meal at my house. Kind of like our festive meal before going home for the holidays.

cant help sorry, i love crackers

How about a scratch card each?

We make up our own crackers - you can normally get a miniature of booze inside. You could turn it into a secret santa type thing - everyone is given one empty cracker and they have to fill it (set a budget) and leave it on the table for the person they bought for.

I have also done little Lego people in the past - either a random minifigure in a bag, or you can buy them online with Christmas jumpers here.

Like sardine, we do scratch card in the wine glass

I would get everyone something to 'do'. Especially if you want a delay between courses. Perhaps Lego (the fake stuff called Loz Blocks you get from Ali Expeess - starts at 50p for a small one which is just what you would want) or a small puzzle from eBay or the £1 shop. Or table trivia.

I think the secret Santa idea is a good one. You could ask everyone to being a small gift which would fit inside a loo roll and use them to fill cheap crackers when they arrive.

Love the lego idea- also the scratchcard idea.
Maybe the secret Santa loo roll can rekindle my love of festive explosives.
Thanks, Guys!