Homemade Christmas Crackers

This year I wanted to create my own Christmas crackers, why I didn't try this before I don't know! They are so simple to make and can be filled with unusual and unique gifts for your guests. They were also recyclable and, depending what you put in them, inexpensive. 

Who invented crackers and why we have crackers on our Christmas Day tables?

The Victoria and Albert museum in London tells us the 'Christmas cracker was invented by London-based confectioner and baker Tom Smith (1823 – 1869) who initially produced wedding cakes and sweets. On a trip to Paris he discovered the French 'bon bon', a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper. Bonbons proved a hit at Christmas time and to encourage year-round sales, Smith added a small love motto inside the wrapper.

The inspiration to add the explosive 'pop' was supposedly sparked by the crackling sound of a log fire. Smith patented his first cracker device in 1847 and perfected the mechanism in the 1860s. It used two narrow strips of paper layered together, with silver fulminate painted on one side and an abrasive surface on the other – when pulled, friction created a small explosion. Tom’s son, Walter, added the elaborate hats, made of fancy paper, and sourced novelties and gifts from Europe, America and Japan.' (source - https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-christmas-cracker) 

What to put in a cracker

As we can see above, crackers traditionally have a small gift, joke, hat and snap inside them.

How to make your own unique cracker

In the couple of months or weeks (depending on how many guests you will have on Christmas Day) start collecting toilet paper inner tubes. I saved the ones that were slightly thicker and more sturdy, if they are too thin you will find it difficult to very much inside them. 

        

I then ordered some snaps and hats; brought some gifts and small chocolates; and printed off some 'dad jokes'. I found that Green and Blacks small chocolate bars fitted perfectly. Next I sponge printed some stars on white paper. Once the paper was dry, I lay the snapper in the toilet tube, filled it up and then wrapped it with enough paper at both ends to tie into the traditional cracker shape. I simply tied each end with a short piece of ribbon.

 

On the big day they worked perfectly; they looked beautiful on the table, the snaps worked and everyone loved the gifts inside. I will definitely make them again next year, this time I will try and make the presents more unique to each guest for a more special experience. 

I would totally encourage you all to make your own next year, they are so much fun to make and have on your Christmas table!