How to make your own Christmas crackers
Learn how to make your own Christmas crackers this year and add a handmade touch to your table.
Published:
Make your own Christmas crackers to pull at the dinner table this year with our homemade Christmas crackers step-by-step tutorial by Lara Messer. We’ve also included a helpful video tutorial to show you a really simple way to make Christmas crackers, using up old wrapping paper whilst you are at it, we do love a bit of upcycling! This easy tutorial on how to make your own Christmas crackers will have you wondering why you ever bought them from a shop before.
If you’re wondering what to fill your crackers with, find some inspiration below from Lara Messer, who will show you how to make some homemade treats. If you don’t fancy making them yourself, simply grab some sweets out of the tub, a bit of confetti, and anything else you think might work, there really are no rules, as long as they have a good snap!
If you love Christmas crafts and want more festive fun try our amazing tutorial on how to make a Christmas stocking or these lovely crochet Christmas decorations to make your Christmas feel really homemade! If you’re a dab hand at knitting be sure to check out our free Christmas knitting patterns, to whip up some handmade presents for your loved ones.Â
How to make your own Christmas crackers video tutorial
What we used in the video above:Â
- x3 toilet paper tubes
- Christmas wrapping paper
- string / ribbon
- scissors
- tape
- cracker bang, and cracker fillings of your choice.
How to make your own Christmas crackers by Lara Messer
We love a set of mini precision screwdrivers as much as the next DIY-er, and the jumping frog is still considered riveting between-courses entertainment here at Mollie HQ, but homemade Christmas crackers are way more fun. You get to write your own hilarious* Christmas jokes; personalise the filling and match the paper design to your Christmas table decorations.
If you’re looking for more Christmas goodness then check out learn how to make cards with our free tutorials! We also have a whole bunch of free card making downloads so you can make your own beautiful Christmas cards.Â
Here’s how easy they are to put together…
How to make homemade Christmas crackers: step by step
You will need:
For the homemade Christmas crackers filling:
• Brown parcel paper
• Twine or string
• A joke/sentiment/fact
• A small gift of your choice
• Confetti
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Roll-on adhesive
For each homemade Christmas crackers:
• Sheet of patterned scrapbooking paper, 20x30cm
• Ruler and pencil
• Roll-on adhesive
• Cracker snap
• Toilet roll tube
• Silk ribbon or raffia
You Will Need
- Paper
- Scissors
- Glue
Total time:
Step 1
Here’s a few DIY toys you can make to pop inside your homemade Christmas crackers.
Make Christmas party hats from brown wrapping paper. Cut 6cm wide strips, measure around your head and add a few centimetres then glue the ends together. Snip triangles out of one side to shape the crown.
Step 2
Roll up your hat and tie with a little bit of twine to make the contents of your package small enough to fit inside the tube.
Step 3
Write small notes or jokes to include in the crackers. Add some confetti, your party hat, sentiment, a small gift and wrap in tissue paper. Slip the parcel into a toilet roll tube.
Step 4
Take your piece of patterned paper and cut to 20x30cm. On the reverse side, measure in 10cm from both sides to create three columns. A typical toilet roll tube is 10cm in length and will fit perfectly in the centre column.
Step 5
Apply glue to the top of the paper, middle of the centre column and at the bottom of the centre column. Stick cracker snap about 2.5cm from the top. Place the toilet roll tube with your parcel inside on the glue at the bottom.
Step 6
Roll your sheet around homemade Christmas crackers, making sure it is tight and the ends meet, to make a perfect cylinder.
Step 7
Once rolled, feel for the edges of the tube and grasp firmly with your hand. Encourage the paper to crush and crinkle with your fingertips. Do this to both ends and you will start to see your cracker shape forming.
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Step 8
Cut pieces of ribbon to seal the ends. Tie the ribbon tightly around the crinkled paper to make sure it holds its shape and the parcel doesn’t fall out.
Step 9
Knot and tie your ribbon in a bow for extra security. Do this for both sides. Cut your ribbon to size at an angle for a lovely finish. Display on your Christmas table with pride and be sure to tell everyone you made them! Homemade Christmas crackers made easy.
Step 10
If you want to give your homemade Christmas crackers an extra edge then download Cross Stitch Crazy’s festive stencils, cross stitch the patterns then wrap them around your DIY Christmas crackers.
Homemade Christmas crackers complete!
Now you’ve finished your homemade Christmas crackers why not check out our Christmas knitting patterns and free Christmas crochet patterns for more crafty projects? We also have a collection of free Christmas quilt patterns so you can give a beautiful handmade gift this Christmas.Â
About Lara Messer
La loves cats, coffee and working in her summerhouse. Messyla creates beautiful and simplistic cards and gifts that are a little bit vintage and a little bit country. www.laramesser.com
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