How to Make Fun and Festive Christmas Crackers
With Thanksgiving just days away, it seems like the perfect time for my first Christmas project – DIY Christmas Crackers – particularly as it’s something that can be used for either a last minute addition to your Thanksgiving table or your upcoming Christmas celebration!
I love a little bling on my holiday table and one way to get that is with Christmas Crackers. DIY Christmas Crackers are a tradition dating back to the 1800s in England. They are also a tradition dating back as far as I can remember, growing up in Canada, that my family took part in for both Christmas and Thanksgiving! These fun and colorful packets are shared with a partner, and “crack” or “pop” when opened by each partner grasping on each end and pulling like a wishbone. Once opened, you’ll find a tissue paper crown – yes, everyone has to wear it -, a joke or bit of trivia, and a tiny gift item of some sort.
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Now that I live in the US, until very recently, those in my family were the only weirdos wearing paper crowns around our Ca-merican Thanksgiving table (yes, that is a real word – that I made up). Lately, though, I’ve seen holiday crackers offered in many places such as Target and World Market. I’ve even seen kits available on Amazon to make your own. No matter how we come to have them, holiday crackers are something my kids look forward to every year, almost as much as pumpkin pie!
Although you can take part in the fun by purchasing them or buying a kit, there is just something about personalizing them for your own family which is what I did – let me show you how!
How to Make Fun and Festive Christmas Crackers
First, subscribe to my newsletter and download these free holiday jokes for inside your Christmas Crackers! Then, gather the rest of your supplies.
You will Need:
- Trinkets – Jokes, and other festive fun! Think party favors or useful things such as mini-flashlights, measuring tapes, or small toys
- Paper Crowns
- Cracker Snaps
- Cardboard Tubes
- Wrapping Paper
- Scissors
- Glue Gun
- Ribbon
What to do:
Create the wrapper
1. Cut your wrapping paper into an 8″x10″ square.
2. Accordion fold the square along the edge and cut small shapes out along the fold about 2″ on each side – this will make it easier to form the ends by removing some of the bulk.
3. Thread a snap through the cardboard tube and glue the snap to the edge of the paper outside the cuts you made in step 1.
4. Roll up the tube tightly and glue.
5. Tie off one end with ribbon.
Fill it with fun!
6. Fill with trinkets, candies, jokes/or trivia and especially the crowns!
7. Tie off another end with ribbon and reshape ends. Some people use a shaper for this – I do not, as I like them to look a little loose, like a gift.
8. Embellish! Add bling whereever you’d like!
Add to your holiday table!
When you’re ready, pick a partner. Each grab an end of the cracker and pulls to tear open – the one who comes away with the longest end is the winner! Tell your cheesy jokes and wear your paper crown while eating – And, have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
Don’t feel like DIYing? Here’s how you can buy!
To make it even more fun, I’m joining some blogger friends to bring you 15 bling-y holiday projects, plus the chance to win a $150 Amazon gift card! Details are near the end of this post so be sure to scroll all the way through.
*Update: This giveaway is closed.
Knock It Off Kim – DIY Holiday Crackers
P.S. I Love You Crafts – Our First Christmas Together Ornament
Anika’s DIY Life – LED Christmas Tree Wall Decor
My Pinterventures – Baking Soda Gingerbread Ornaments
Intelligent Domestications – Poinsettia Christmas Wreath
365 Days of Crafts – Handmade Christmas Cards
Love My Simple Home – Chicken Wire Christmas Tree
Day to Day Adventures – Glitter Letters for Christmas Decorations
Faeries and Fauna – Christmas Cushion and White Glitter Christmas Tree
Our Crafty Mom – Glittered Mason Jar Light
The Latina Next Door – DIY Christmas Ornament
Finding Your Joy in the Journey – Christmas Letters with a Little Bling
Craft Create Calm – Gingerbread House
DIY 180 Site – Vintage Christmas Bulb Wreath
The Inspirational Vault – Glittery Snowflake Decor
What a fun craft! This is one holiday craft my teens would enjoy making, too. -Marie @The Inspiration Vault
I've seen crackers before, but have never tried it. Does it pop or anything? I'll have to see if I can make or buy some.
I love these! We usually have them for New Years, but never homemade.
I need to make these..They would make great gifts
Love this idea.
These are so cute!
Ahhh so cute, I love crackers! Fun craft, and so much more affordable too…
I really love these! Never saw this before.
What a nice tradition!
fun to do with the kids to get them in the spirit
I have never heard of these. They look like fun for the family to make.
What a cute idea, and I didn't know it was an old tradition from yore back in England. So much fun, and not expensive. Wow!
OMG I love it! I am just now starting to get into holiday crafting, this looks like something fun to do with my daughter.
This would be a fun activity for my kids.
These came out gorgeous! My kids would totally love doing something like this for the holidays!
I've seen these before, but I didn't know the tradition behind them. Kids would definitely like making and giving these! Great job!
Nice. I like to wrap presents really pretty. I like the way they look under the tree.
Love it!
That's a cool idea I would have never thought of it.
Pretty. Looks good. My nieces would love this.
Great idea!!
What a great idea! Sometimes I don't like some of the stuff they include in the Christmas crackers, so this way you can choose your own little prizes. Wicked!
This is so fun! I'm going to have to try to make these.
I've never heard of this before but I love it! Sounds like a great time to start a new tradition, thank you for the instructions on how to make it!
How fun! This could be a cute way to package nicer small gifts, too.
Mary Beth Elderton
I would love to have some placed here and there on my kitchen table for Christmas.
This is a great idea.
Ooh these look fun to make and I love the colors!
Thats a lovely ornament. I like how it is personalized. I adore the colors in this one. It will be cherished!
Ellen BECK sorry couldnt use my name, it is in blogger :/
What a nice little touch to your table setting!
These would be great to give at office holiday parties!
thanks for the opportunity
I've always wanted to learn how to make Christmas crackers.
These are so nice! I like to have crackers and cheeses when tree trimming! 🙂 It's also perfect for a Christmas party! 🙂
These are super cute…. I kind of want to glitter bomb my relatives with them though. 🙂 Whee!
Yes, this is a keeper. Fun at the table.
Mary Makinen
Such fun. My kids love doing crackers at Christmas.
Never knew these could be homemade! We always feel like big dorks wearing our crowns & playing with our little cracker toys but it's too fun not to!
I've never heard of a cracker til' now and it looks so decorative
That is a fun craft to make to brighten up the holidays.
I used to make Christmas crackers as a child. What a nice flashback seeing these photos!
I love this packaging. What a great idea!
Ive made crackers before but could never get the hang of the end pieces – you’ve just shown me how in the simplest way ever! So thank you, and I’m off to make lots of crackers!!
Yay, Donna! I’m so glad I was able to help! Best of luck with your crackers!