It’s Christmastime! And there’s very little I enjoy more than DIYing things better than you can buy them. A prime example is: Christmas Crackers. Christmas Crackers cost a fortune, and all you ever get (usually anyway) are little garbagey trinkets that you’ll never use again (that being said, I got an amazingly nice lipstick case one year that I used until it fell apart – which was a couple of years).  So, one year I decided to make my own. Let me tell you- AMAZING! So easy, fairly quick (about 30 minutes for 5 from start to finish), so inexpensive and Everyone. gets. something. they. like!!!

Allow to me usher you into the wonderful world of DIY Christmas Crackers!

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Supplies:

• Toilet Paper Rolls (one for each person)
• One “prize” for each person
  
• Joke (one for each person)
  
• Candy (one piece for each person)
• Wrapping Paper
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Tissue Paper
• Scotch Tape
  
  

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Instructions:

1. Print or write one joke for each person. I used emailsanta.com. My kids are little, so I wanted jokes that they would get.

2. Fold up your tissue paper and cut it in a zig-zag to make a crown. I leave mine as a big strip, then tape them together so they fit at Christmas dinner. 

3. Measure how much paper you’ll need for your Christmas Cracker. Be sure to leave about 1-1/2 to 2 inches on either end for the ruffle.

4. Double check the size of the first sheet by wrapping it around your toilet paper roll again. If it’s good then use that sheet as a template so you don’t have to measure all the rest. 

5. Set everything up in order. My prizes for my family are: Stick-on-earrings for my 2- and 3-year-old daughters, a giant parachute man for my 7-year-old son and fishing swivels for my husband- good thing he doesn’t read my blog😂 (watch- this’ll be the week🤦‍♀️). I always leave the Christmas Cracker for me open on one end and my husband picks something for me, puts it in and ties it up. You may have to (or want to) pick something out for yourself. Nail polish fits perfectly. Just sayin’.

6. Pick one of everything and stuff it into a toilet paper roll. 

7. Roll it up with wrapping paper and tape it. (You can buy the things that pop on Amazon. I never have, though. My family just rips it apart and they go over just as well.)

8. Tie the ribbon on both ends. I had to hold it with my feet to tie mine. Remember to keep it at an angle so everything doesn’t fall out the bottom. 

9. LABEL THEM!!! Label them as you go or you probably won’t know who’s is who’s. 

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That’s it! They’re done! Don’t they look nice? And there are lots of little things you can put inside: stickers, fishing lures, small flashlights, jewelry, ear buds, and more. Last year I put gold coins in the Christmas Crackers as the candy because we had some lying around. They are really versatile and fairly quick to make. I made mine in about 45 minutes, and that was with taking all the pictures. I really hope you’ll give this a try. I think you’ll be so happy with them!

Merry Christmas!

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