DIY Ombre Christmas Tree Cookies
MAKE THESE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS FAVOURS
I can’t deny it. I love me a good cracker! The reality is though that they’re filled with pretty…shall we say, un-chic items?! That’s why making your own crackers and filling them with super cute things is a must! You get to add your own personal spin & they’ll look so pretty on your table!
YOU WILL NEED:
Cracker snaps // glue // card // scissors // vinyl // cracker template // sweets or mini gifts for inside // snap template // bang template // pop template // (or alternatively you can use stickers for the crackers or get creative with a sharpie!) // Wrapping paper // Cricut Explore or stanley knife (please note using a stanley knife will take a lot longer)
STEP 1:
Upload the cracker template to the Cricut design space or download and print it onto coloured card and cut around all of the lines.
STEP 2:
Score down either side of the triangle pattern and fold the card where you have scored. Next glue your cracker snap in to what will be the inside of the cracker (as shown in photo)
STEP 3:
Flip your cracker over and glue your wrapping paper to the outer edges of the cracker, you’ll need to also make a slit again where the original ones were as the wrapping paper will now be covering them!
STEP 4:
Next, fill up your cracker with goodies & delights and roll it up towards you, push the flaps into the relevant holes and lightly glue in place.
STEP 5:
Download the templates for snap, bang and pop and cut them out onto vinyl using your Cricut then stick in place in the centre of the cracker! Alternatively you can write your words on with a sharpie or use some stickers.
Then that’s it you’re done! So much more fun than your classic cracker & pretty darn stylish if you ask me! I can’t wait to snap, bang & pop these on Christmas Day! Xxx
DIY Christmas Crackers: A Festive Tradition with a Personal Touch
Nothing beats the crackle of a Christmas cracker—except, perhaps, the joy of making them yourself. Store-bought ones often leave me underwhelmed (how many mini nail clippers do we really need?), so I’ve spent years perfecting the art of crafting my own. Let’s dive into the magic of DIY Christmas crackers and how you can create something that’s as delightful as the moment it’s pulled apart.
Materials You’ll Need
The basics are simple: cardboard tubes (think toilet rolls or paper towel cores), festive wrapping paper, ribbon, and cracker snaps. Add in the fun stuff: tiny gifts, jokes, and those paper crowns everyone loves to hate. Want to get fancy? Glitter, stickers, or sprigs of greenery work wonders.
I once raided my craft drawer at midnight—like a festive raccoon—because I realised I was out of ribbon. Let me tell you, yarn works, but it’s a lesson in patience. Use proper materials unless you want to learn how long a human can wrestle with knots before breaking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start with the cardboard tubes, your cracker’s skeleton. Place your snap inside (these can be finicky, but they’re worth it for that satisfying “pop”). Wrap the tube in cheerful paper, leaving excess on both sides, and secure it with tape. It’s like wrapping a burrito, only less edible.
Tie one end with ribbon to form that classic cracker shape. Before sealing the other end, stuff in your treasures: a small gift, a silly joke, and a crown. Then, close the other end with more ribbon. Done!
It’s not rocket science, but here’s a tip: don’t overfill them. I once tried cramming a miniature snow globe inside. Spoiler alert: it didn’t survive.
Personalisation Ideas
This is where your creativity shines. Tailor the design to your guests—elegant gold and silver for adults, cartoon characters for kids. One year, I used photos of my family as tags, and the laughter (and embarrassment) was worth every second of prep.
Personal touches make crackers feel special, but they do take extra time. If you’re short on it, focus on one standout element, like a handwritten note or a unique gift. It’s the little things that make people smile.
Eco-Friendly Options
I’m all for sustainability, especially around the holidays when waste piles up like snowdrifts. Swap plastic trinkets for practical or edible fillers: homemade cookies, tea sachets, or seeds for planting. Recyclable paper and natural embellishments, like twine or dried orange slices, keep things festive without adding to the landfill.
Once, I experimented with fabric instead of paper—think reusable, like furoshiki wrapping. It was gorgeous but admittedly more work. Pick your battles!
Creative Filler Ideas
Forget the standard tiny combs. Fill your Christmas crackers with items that excite: mini puzzles, personalised keychains, or handwritten fortunes. Practical gifts like lip balms or mini notepads are a hit too.
One of my favourites? Small bottles of hot sauce. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a spicy surprise. Just remember to size down your fillers—no one wants a cracker that refuses to crack.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your cracker snaps don’t snap, the disappointment is real. Make sure they’re firmly secured inside and aligned correctly. And don’t use heavy paper—it makes pulling harder than a tug-of-war.
I’ve also learned to double-check my ribbons’ tightness. There’s nothing sadder than a cracker spilling its contents prematurely, like a deflated balloon at a party.
Conclusion
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Christmas crackers. They’re small, fleeting joys—but when you make them yourself, they become so much more. Each cracker holds a bit of your personality, a slice of your effort, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer.
So grab your scissors, channel your inner elf, and get cracking (pun intended). Whether your crackers are rustic, extravagant, or delightfully quirky, they’ll light up the table—and the faces around it.
These Christmas crackers are literally cracking! We love them! What a great idea for the guests!
We are so glad you love them xxx
Beautiful! Love them.
How do I download the template? I just see a link to a little slideshow.