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Christmas

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

Original poster

DIY cracker fillers for the discerning octogenarian

19 replies

Nonplusultra · 07/12/2023 00:09

I’ve no idea if this is even possible, but I thought I’d throw this challenge to the MN hivemind.

I’m filling my own crackers and trying to think of something that my pils will actually want to keep.

Usually they just hand things over to the dc straight away. They’re in their eighties, and already have seen it all, or bought it all! Last time I hosted them I went with Lindt chocolate reindeer and scratch cards which they won money on, and they still gave them to the dc.

And of course this is fine - do I need to say this is light hearted? I’m just on a secret mission here.

Hit me with your most unusual suggestions!

OP posts:
dreamingdays · 07/12/2023 00:13

Miniature bottles of spirits? Heavy yes but small. And not child friendly!

dreamingdays · 07/12/2023 00:14

Mini printed cute pix of your DC.

Original poster
Nonplusultra · 07/12/2023 00:18

Neither of them drink unfortunately, but that’s a great suggestion. I’m fairly confident mil, at least, wouldn’t offer spirits to the dc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nonplusultra · 07/12/2023 00:18

dreamingdays · 07/12/2023 00:14

Mini printed cute pix of your DC.

Hmmmm…. That’s a thought.

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PandaG · 07/12/2023 00:29

Yes, if you wanted to make photos Christmassy I bet you could find a miniature photo frame shaped as a bauble?
Or useful things - reusable shopping bag in own pouch? Pair of socks if small enough? Trolley token? Book of stamps and a small bar of chocolate?

GoatsareGOAT · 07/12/2023 00:45

Glasses cleaning cloth printed with a photo of the kids

Original poster
Nonplusultra · 07/12/2023 01:34

PandaG · 07/12/2023 00:29

Yes, if you wanted to make photos Christmassy I bet you could find a miniature photo frame shaped as a bauble?
Or useful things - reusable shopping bag in own pouch? Pair of socks if small enough? Trolley token? Book of stamps and a small bar of chocolate?

I’ll have a look for some kind of tiny frame. Or maybe we could make them into a book mark or similar

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Original poster
Nonplusultra · 07/12/2023 01:36

GoatsareGOAT · 07/12/2023 00:45

Glasses cleaning cloth printed with a photo of the kids

Mil would appreciate hers, but fil, I suspect, would leave his behind.

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Flubadubba · 07/12/2023 08:02

@Nonplusultra Oliver Bonas had cracker sized frames last year. Not sure if they have them this year as I haven't been near enough one to look!

dreamingdays · 07/12/2023 16:23

Pack of seeds to grow in their garden? Unusual pretty flowers or something.

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 07/12/2023 20:54

Would a nail varnish work for Mil ? That's what I always give my mum as her table present

CurlewKate · 07/12/2023 22:12

Just to say-I remember my mother confiding in me at about this age that if she got another picture of her grandchildren in any form she'd scream....

Original poster
Nonplusultra · 08/12/2023 18:38

@CurlewKate 😂

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hellsBells246 · 08/12/2023 18:47

Photo keyring of your dc!

Leeds2 · 08/12/2023 18:48

Set of coasters bearing a picture of the DGC!

Jar of old fashioned sweets eg pineapple cubes, rhubarb & custard. May end up back with the DGC!

Posh coffee beans or tea bags.

A bath bomb.

Packet of wipes to remove pigeon poo from the car windscreen/body.

Air freshener for the car.

Small bottle of decent olive oil.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 08/12/2023 18:55

I used to do these for my parents' Christmases and came up with all kinds of mad fillings - generally dependent on what bargains I had come across. Everyone seemed to keep the contents and like them.. or at least they still get talked about but I may just have a weird family.

So...
Indoor fireworks (the cats went wild over the big worm one)
Miniature antique silver pincushions in the shape of animals (job lot of 8 on eBay for £25)
Neolithic arrowheads
Miniature folding pocketknives about 2cm long
Boxwood Netsuke in the Chinese zodiac animal of each person
Carved stone animals
Aftershave and perfume miniatures
Venetian glass animals
Lavender bags

Kind of miss not doing them anymore

Original poster
Nonplusultra · 08/12/2023 19:57

@OhCrumbsWhereNow that is absolutely hands down the best list of cracker fillers I’ve ever seen. I think I’d love your house!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nonplusultra · 08/12/2023 19:57

@Leeds2 an air freshener for the car might just work for fil.

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