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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What are you putting in your home made Crackers?

25 replies

MrsFionaCharming · 29/11/2022 10:49

All adults (and a 12 week old but I don’t think he’ll mind being left out).

previously I’ve done scratch cards or miniatures, but due to the people invited that won’t work this year.

If I can’t think of anything more exciting I’ll put a chocolate in each.

OP posts:
ChangedToday · 29/11/2022 10:58

Lego Mini Figure blind bag and a chocolate.

PassThePud · 29/11/2022 10:59

Previously I have done keyrings, lego mini figures, scratch card, hand cream (best cracker ever according to the 80 year old recipient), lip balm, alcohol, nail varnish, nail file, nail clippers, lavender bag, jewellery.

Hormonal23 · 29/11/2022 11:05

A mini lint Santa or bear works really well one year I did favourite chocolate bars so twirl for my sister mini curly surly for my partner etc

ODFOx · 29/11/2022 11:06

One of the other Christmas threads someone was looking for some clockwork toys and there was a link to some job lots of new ones on eBay. I bought a job and they are a perfect fit for our crackers, with some going into stockings for uncles etc.

DarkMatternix · 29/11/2022 11:11

In the past we've done

Chocolates
Bailey's miniatures
Scratch cards
Minifigures
Small candles
Christmas tree decoration

Holidayqueen1 · 29/11/2022 11:33

@ODFOx I saw that and meant to bookmark but forgot and now can’t find it. I don’t suppose you have a link do you, I would love to get some! Thanks

ODFOx · 29/11/2022 11:47

@Holidayqueen1
I use the eBay app which doesn't let me pull links but this is the eBay item number.

161956345430

hopeishere · 29/11/2022 12:06

I do a sweet and a mini Milton Brown but might do a scratch card as well this year!

SparklyMistleToes · 29/11/2022 12:17

Depends if you want to do the legwork, but I usually tailor the contents to each guest. So things like mini hand creams, tweezers, mini bottles (I know you said no to this), lip balms, etc.

Holidayqueen1 · 29/11/2022 16:11

Thanks @ODFOx , wow there are 50 of them! Did you get a few of each one? Thinking I may replicate what my mum and dad did when we were little and give us the same ones to have races etc! Thanks

Biab · 29/11/2022 16:13

Where do you buy the supplies to make the crackers themselves please? Extra points for recyclable and plastic free. Thanks.

purser25 · 29/11/2022 16:15

I got key ring torches from the £1 shop once still use mine.

zen1 · 29/11/2022 16:24

OMG I just read this and thought you meant the baked kind of cracker and was going to suggest various savouries!

OrangePomander · 29/11/2022 16:27

Packets of seeds, if you have any gardeners?

MrsFionaCharming · 29/11/2022 16:30

Packets of seeds is an excellent shout. Everyone there likes gardening!

I buy the kits to make them in The Works.

OP posts:
YorkieTheRabbit · 29/11/2022 17:56

Personalised bottle opener
Hand cream
Flower seeds
Nail varnish
Cans of pre mixed drinks, cocktails, gin and tonic etc
Pillow spray
Mini shower gel

timtam23 · 29/11/2022 19:56

@Biab I buy make your own cracker sets from Hobbycraft. I choose ones without any foil or glitter and with raffia to tie them up. They include a paper hat and a paper motto/joke so they are as recyclable as possible.

Biab · 29/11/2022 20:14

@timtam23 Thanks 👍

QuietYou · 29/11/2022 20:21

I'm going for socks themed to peoples interests this year. I'm quite pleased with what I've managed to find although it has cost more than I planned!

bigbluebus · 29/11/2022 20:32

I bought my make your own crackers from our local Eco refill shop. They sell them individually too so you only need to buy the number you need - in my case 3. They are totally recyclable and plastic free.
I've got beard oil to go in the one for DS but still looking for the other 2.

ODFOx · 30/11/2022 09:26

Question for those of you who make ones for individuals: how do you ensure that they 'win' the cracker, or does everyone just swap about the gifts until they each get what you intended?

elQuintoConyo · 30/11/2022 10:11

A funky pen - this year an axe for ds, wolf for DH and funky fountain pen for me (al about €3).

Those metal link puzzles.
Scratch card.
Socks/woolly hat.
Keyring.
Any other stationery - cute rubbers, tippex mouse, fun postits.
Fidget toy.

I use loo rolls and paper to make them, decorate with their name/initial of the person. If the gift is quite chunky - eg hat or gloves - I use Pringles tubes! I save them over the year.

I have kept some silly bits I've got over the years from commercial crackers, like the fortune telling fish or those colourful triangles with a guide to making different animals like fish etc. They come out every year and never fail to delight for a few days, then go back in the Xmas box of decs. DS loves them. Oh, and the teeny tiny playing cards! Remember them?

I'll make them next week when I'm not so busy and DS is at school.

This year on Xmas Eve we've got friends round from far flung countries and their spouses. I shall make hats and number them, then place a number in each cracker so they can put that hat on. Cardboard doesn't roll up into a cracker very well, so they'll be on the side table. There'll be a snowman, gingerbread man, Xmas tree, elf, reindeer etc. DS can help me make them - very simple things.

Can't wait!

SparklyMistleToes · 30/11/2022 11:13

ODFOx · 30/11/2022 09:26

Question for those of you who make ones for individuals: how do you ensure that they 'win' the cracker, or does everyone just swap about the gifts until they each get what you intended?

I just put peoples names on them using a nice name card / tag and put them on their plate.

ODFOx · 30/11/2022 12:44

@SparklyMistleToes
If you pull it with your neighbour and they win though, but it was the cracker from your plate, do they give up their prize willingly? I'm beginning to think that I've raised a brood of Christmas jackals!!

SparklyMistleToes · 30/11/2022 12:47

ODFOx · 30/11/2022 12:44

@SparklyMistleToes
If you pull it with your neighbour and they win though, but it was the cracker from your plate, do they give up their prize willingly? I'm beginning to think that I've raised a brood of Christmas jackals!!

I've never had this problem. People pick up their cracker. Pull it with the person next to them and generally see whatever falls out of it for them. Often because I tailor the gift inside for the person the other person next to them wouldn't want it. Plus they all know I fill them for the specific person. My husband wouldn't want the tube of hand cream I got for his aunt and she wouldn't want the key chain or mini tape measure I got for him lol.

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