Learn how to make your own Christmas crackers this year. And fill them with the best goodies.
Learning how to make your own Christmas crackers is much less tiresome than you might think. In fact it can be rather good fun. If you want to know more about how the tradition started do look at the history of Christmas crackers. And while you make your (soon to be brilliant) Christmas crackers why not tuck into something festive and delicious too, like our venison sausage rolls.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
- A4 paper (decorated or covered in wrapping paper)
- Cardboard tubes – loo rolls are ideal
- Ribbon, wool or string
- Sticky tape and glue
- Cracker snaps, available from most craft shops
- Ruler
- Scissors
Decorate the Christmas cracker while it is flat, as it is much easier to do than when it is assembled. When your design is finished, turn the paper over.
Make sure one of the longer sides is at the top. Put the cardboard tube on the paper so that the ends are pointing towards the shorter sides of the paper and the tube is in the middle.
Make a mark at each end of the tube. Draw two lines through the marks from top to bottom, so the paper is divided into three sections. Measure 2cm and 4cm from each line and draw lines from top to bottom. There should be three lines at each end of the paper.
At one end, fold along the middle of the three lines. Make a cut from the fold about 1cm from the end of the paper. Keep doing this all the way along the fold. Repeat this at the other end.
On a flat surface, put some glue along the edge of the paper. Put the tube at the top and in the middle, and roll the paper around it. You might need sticky tape to really secure the edges.
Stick the cracker snaps in. Tie one end of the cracker with ribbon, wool or string. The cuts should gather up.
Now it is time to fill the cracker with goodies of your choice. Don’t put anything inside that’s too heavy for the tube, but treats – and then tie up the other end.