I have a great fondness for all things British, and that includes their Christmas "crackers." These little foil-wrapped wonders are a tradition in the UK. When my friend Kathy was in London last spring, she sent me Easter "crackers," which I love dearly. I've just about let the holidays slip up on me this year (but I have been writing, right?), so I decided to attempt homemade "crackers."
I saved paper towel rolls, bought wrapping paper, glue, ribbon, and candy. I even found lumps of coal, but they're candy.
Here's a tutorial:
Basically, cut the paper to fit the roll and leave a few inches on both sides. Tie one end, fill with trinkets and candy, and tie.
That's it!
This week's give-away is a darling Mariposa service tray (21" long X 12" wide).
Susan at Savoring Time in the Kitchen has won the Mariposa dish. Please send your email. Thanks to everyone who entered.
Please add your FF recipe and link:
56 comments:
Cracker Fun! Thanks for the tutorial :-)
Michael, your crackers are so much more beautiful and fun than the ones we get here in England! Unless you buy really expensive ones the treats you find in Christmas crackers here are generally pretty dull. Our 'ordinary' Christmas crackers usually only contain a joke, a hat, and a pretty unexciting 'prize' like a key ring. I've bought crackers from speciality stores like Fortnum and Mason before that are more like yours, but they start at $30 for six and go up to over $1000 (honestly!). You've made something really special there!! Thanks for hosting!
Your crackers are very pretty, and the tray is beautiful:@)
We have crackers at Christmas but I've never made them -- you've inspired me!
I've always wanted to make some of these. Maybe I'll make them for my students this year as a Christmas treat. Hmm...
I've made them and they are FUN! I hope all your followers try it! I just saw that my friend Susan won the beautiful Mariposa dish. How lovely!
Everything is beautiful, I love Christmas crackers and put them out every year....now thanks to you and can make my own and use up some of my pretty left over wrapping paper!
xx
Well I wish I hadn't been recycling all my paper towel and t. paper rolls!
Hi, I put two enteries by mistake..It is the last one I entered that is the correct one...I don't know how to delete the first one.
TX
Bunny
The crackers are fantastic! How fun they would be on a table. Sherry
I've always wanted to have these for our family Christmas get together, but to buy them in the store can be cost prohibitive. Thanks for the tutorial. La
Those are gorgeous! And so easy! These could be used for any sort of gathering, not just Christmas. Thanks!
Very Fun and Colorful! You could even add each person's name on the "cracker" and use as place cards.
Oh my goodness, THANK YOU, Michael! Wonderful, giveaway, again, and wonderful tutorial. I'm going to try making them!
Cute!! I'm embarrassed to say I have not heard of this. I love the tutorial and may have to try my hand at this.
Excited to sign up for another giveaway. :)
Donna
Fun tutorial, your crackers are so festive.
Mimi
Crackers are a great idea even for non-Christmas occasions. Just takes a little creativity to modify them, but your basic tutorial is really helpful. Thanks!
Michael, I grew up in England and we would have these every year. World Market and Marshall's carries them but they are not the quality I was used to back 35 years ago. Yours are exactly what I remember without the pop but beautiful and filled with wonderful things. Beautiful accent to a lovely Christmas table. Thank you for adding to my Christmas Spirit!
It never occurred to me you could make your own... thanks for the great tutorial!
LOVE the Christmas Crackers and might do this for my grown kids this year.
We always have English crackers at the holiday and I love your homemade version. So pretty. I'd have to cut out paper hats and add them because we have silly paper hat pictures every year. Gotta have a dumb joke too! ;)
I love the cracker idea - I think I'll give them a try.
I always love your photos and presentation, they are very eye catching.
I love these! I think I am going to make some for our Christmas table and put tags on them to use for place cards.
Thanks for sharing and for hosting today.
Jane
frugalfineliving.com
Thanks for the link up!
I think I'll start saving my tissue rollers now. Yours are so beautiful! Love that red!
Ooo...a great tutorial. Thank you!
Thanks for the tutorial on the crackers, I hope to make some this w/k with the grandson. I adore the photo on the plate...stellar!!! My heart skipped a beat with the silver serving tray. I've gone "crazy" over silver this past year... I would love to win this beautiful tray.. shoot girl I would love to win anything..lol...
hugs ~lynne~
Thanks for posting this, I'm going to make them for Christmas! :)
-Mary
Thanks for hosting and for the tutorial! I'm going to try this with my son.
jen
Love the crackers directions and tutorial, Michael! We always have them at Christmas with my husband's family, but I've never made them. Will definitely have to do that. Looks like a great way to use those smaller scraps of wrapping paper, too. :-)
I linked up an old family favorite, Corn and Butter Bean casserole. We have it every holiday season. Even folks who don't think they like the ingredients, end up liking it. ;-)
Oh and I love that tray! I am a silver girl all the way.
Hugs,
Shirley
I made these one year for our family...they loved them! Your red wrapping paper is perfect!
I just realized that I posted today's post to last week's Foodie Friday...oops, I just added it here.
I love Christmas crackers, thanks for the great tutorial. Your place setting looks just lovely. I like the tray too! ;-)
I remember this from last year and I swear YOUR crackers are much prettier than any I have seen. THIS year, I will make some!!!! Thanks for the reminder!!!!!XO, Pinky
Hey there Michael, it's your friend Kathy. For us Christmas would not be Christmas without crackers lol and you have shown us all the perfect way to make them even more special. Many congratulations to Susan for wining that beautiful tray and hugs to you for always coming up with the most beautiful give-aways. We are off to spend Christmas with the family in London and it's SNOWING how perfect is that. I think I will pop to my favourite store to get the crackers this time but will save this tutorial for my next get-together for sure. happy holidays, now I am off to get some foodie ideas to take with me. xoxoxoxo Kathy
Love your crackers! I used to make these for my boys...filled them with Matchbox cars, candy, and goofy stuff. They are so much fun!
Jane (Artfully Graced)
Hi Michael,
These crackers are so cute and look so fun and pretty easy to make. What a great idea for little party favors or stocking stuffers.
Nancy
Hi Michael :-)
What a fun idea! Now, do I still want to make the giant sized Christmas tree cookies I was going to put on each plate... or do I want to do this idea instead ..... ?!?
I LOVE the coal candy. I had picked some up years ago .... where did you find yours at this year? Now that all of our kids are in their twenties, it would be fun to add to their stockings ;-p
Thanks for hosting this. I love the crackers and I used to get those gold coins as a child. The Bavarian Christmas linky party is now open-won’t you come and join us at http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html and while you are there join the give-a-ways going on.
I think your crackers look and sound pretty cool. I like the wrapping paper you put on it. Good job!
Beautiful! Thanks for hosting!
Oh my...I remember these from last year! Has that much time passed?? Of course it has..seems impossible!!
Oops, I added my link a day late - but posted my recipe yesterday. Thanks for hosting foodie friday!
I will have to try making the crackers, but probably not till after the holidays! Argh, so much to do and so little time.
The service tray is so pretty. Really want it for my upcoming Christmas party! :) Love your British cracker idea. It's wonderful with the video instruction! :D
What a terrific idea to make your own. That way you get to fill them with truly special treats. ;-)
Thanks for the instructions! The tray is gorgeous.
~ sarah
Thank you so much for sharing this. your crackers look wonderful. What a delightful tray. It's quite lovely.
I LOVE this idea!!!
The kids will go crazy for candy and little toys!
And easy to do....
Happy Holidays!
Lisa
xo
YES, the tray is lovely...
I LOVE the "crackers"
Lisa
xo
Hi lovely lady I love your Tablescapes so Beautiful. IM YOUR NEWEST FOLLOWER ! Im new and woould love to have you as one of my Follower Thanks so much.
Diane
Christmas Crackers are a tradition on our "acre," too, for Christmas morning breakfast! This year I'll have to try to make them--do you put the "popper(?)" in yours & if so, where did you buy them? Like Megan, I'd have to add the silly paper hats & jokes for our pictures--the children love those!! Thanks so much for posting your pretty Crackers. The tray you're giving away is beautiful!!
I love this idea; I always purchase mine at William Somona; but I'm going to try and make them this year! thank you for the idea and how to! Love the tray.
What a clever idea and what a great way to recycle those paper towel tubes!
Mate. Questo blog è sorprendente. Come faccio a far sembrare questo bene?
I'm not sure how I've missed your beautiful blog. It's beyond beautiful. I do think I'll have to make some of the crackers--thanks for making them so easy! Have a blessed CHRISTmas.
Love the crackers! I have got to try this sometime...like this idea much better than the store bought ones. :)
Awesome!!!
They look fabulous and I want to make some and put it on my blog/site,lol! www.bakedinmaine.com
Happy Holidaze!
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