STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

How to make your own Christmas crackers

''Making your own crackers is easy and rather than your guests finding a bad hat, unfunny joke and boring trinket inside, you can pick gifts to suit them,'' says Danielle. ''Imagine how impressed you'd be to pop open a cracker and find that your mum had planted a Westwood diamanté skull necklace inside! There's very little not to like...''

Making homemade Christmas crackers

You will need:

  • A cracker-making kit (Hobbycraft £2.99 for 6). This will save hassle and includes the bit that makes the 'snap' sound
  • Wrapping paper. Go for something a bit special from Paperchase or try www.beyondthevalleystore.com
  • Water-based spray mount
  • Craft knife
  • Hats and jokes to put inside
  • Presents that people will want
  • Ribbon

Step 1: Spray the back of the wrapping paper with spray mount and press the flat card 'cracker' from your cracker making kit on top. Using a craft knife, cut carefully around the outside of this shape and then around each slit and tab.

Step 2: Pop the 'cracker' strip in the centre, along with the gifts, and using the tabs and slits that you cut, join the sides together. Presto, you have the roll shape!

Step 3: Twist or squeeze the ends together and tie tightly with ribbon.

Related sections: Accessories, Budget, Craft projects, Christmas

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