Make your own decorative Christmas crackers

There’s something about the festive season that just makes us want to get crafty. Whether you are baking homemade edible gifts, creating your own Christmas cards or have suddenly become a wrapping perfectionist, there’s such a joy in sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by the festive colours of your own creations. We assembled our favourite wallpaper samples, but you could also use high-quality wrapping paper or card. Hello unique and personalised table settings.

What you’ll need

• 8 A4 sheets of thick paper
• 8 cardboard rolls
• A print-out of our cracker template (available for download here)
• A pencil
• A scissors
• Double-sided sticky tape
• Ribbon
• Cracker snaps and wrapped sweets (optional)

Creating the cracker shape

Start by cutting out the template, ensuring to follow it exactly. Otherwise you might struggle to create the accordion effect on the fold of the cracker.

On the underside of your A4 page, place the template in the centre and outline onto the paper using a pencil.

Remove the template and fold along the top and bottom of the outline on both sides. These will give your cracker defined shape.

Now that you’ve created the folds, cut out your template along the second fold. Repeat on the other side.

Assembly

Now you’ve created your cracker shape, it’s time to assemble. Place your cardboard roll in the centre of the page. You may need to trim it down slightly to ensure it fit within the cut-outs.

Using the double-sided sticky tape, stick the roll to the edge and place three strips along the opposite edge.

If you want, thread a cracker snap through the roll and tape to secure it. You can also place a wrapped sweet or mini treat inside.

Roll up your cracker and ensure the edges are properly stuck down.

Using your ribbon to tie the centre of the cut-outs and voila!