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Make Your Own Personalised (Christmas) Crackers

Make Your Own Personalised (Christmas) Crackers
How to make your own personalised crackers with what you want inside! They make great presents, or just fancy table decorations for whatever festive celebration you happen to be having a party for :) I made 9 or so of these for my girlfriend for Christmas, each with a different gift inside. The last cracker in the set had a necklace inside, she liked them :D

Materials and Tools Needed:

- PC & Printer
- Scissors/Scalpel

- Wrapping Paper/Some kind of patterned paper
- Glue
- Ribbon
- Cracker snaps (Can be salvaged from a cheap shop bought cracker set, purchased from a local craft store, or from the internet)
- Cracker Gifts!
 
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Step 1Template

Template
Use your favourite design software to print the included template onto paper. I suggest printing onto thickish paper as this will give your cracker more strength, giving it a better feel and the ability to hold heavier gifts without deforming.
I printed the template to A4 page size which will give you a final cracker size as shown in this Instuctable.
There is however no reason you cant scale the template up or down, just remember the size of the gifts its possible to put in the cracker also changes. Also consider the length of your cracker snap if your using one, the final cracker length must be abit shorter than the length of the snap.

(Now I can't remember whether the template here is actually mine or not. I did dissemble a cracker to make a template from it, I made other templates, and I also found a template online. This template was however the best of the prototypes I made. If it isn't mine and someone recognises it, tell me and I'll give credit where its due.)

The template used in the pictures is the same as the provided template just not as clean.
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44 comments
1-40 of 44next »
Dec 7, 2010. 12:09 PMAlgag says:
are you able to put the actual file on here it is hard to get the proportions right from printing out the picture
Dec 17, 2010. 2:08 PMAlgag says:
thanks alot :D
Dec 11, 2010. 9:53 AMjgroenert says:
This is nice. I bought a bunch of stuff from (English Cracker Co. I think) but i like your version with out the cardboard tube. After they have been "cracked" I track down the tubes to save for next time.
Dec 8, 2010. 7:57 AMzyx456 says:
I wanna see you crack it open : ^)
Dec 3, 2010. 1:46 AMandreaboylee says:
wonderful idea!
Mar 8, 2009. 10:37 AMpogoman12345 says:
im going to put like 50 crackers things in it when i make mine
Dec 2, 2010. 9:32 PMTreasure Tabby says:
Just like Mr Bean! It'll bring the house down. ;D
Dec 2, 2010. 3:58 PMthewizard42 says:
Do it xD
Dec 30, 2009. 1:30 PMMrMystery96 says:
I find it helps to have a cardboard tube (such as a toilet paper roll cut to size), in the center for stability and ease of building.
Jan 4, 2009. 11:28 AMHonestinwilkesbarre says:
A lot of those in the US don't seem to remember these. I'm American, and I remember them. In fact, I've been seeing these in Everything A Dollar Stores for years.
Dec 28, 2008. 7:50 PMporcupinemamma says:
You always need one daft reader, and I guess that's me. of course it was in step five-might help if I read the whole step. Sorry. BTW I love your idea. I'm going to look for some cheap-o crackers and try to make beautiful ones like yours. Thanks Again :0)
Dec 28, 2008. 6:17 AMporcupinemamma says:
At what point do you add the gifts, and do you have any suggestions for some fun cool gifts?
Dec 20, 2008. 9:08 PMpyrocop1 says:
This is my first proto type using a pull string novelty trick noise maker
Dec 25, 2008. 1:10 PMpyrocop1 says:
We popped ( broke) 10 of these today at the same time. What a fun time it was. I also placed all the cut out triangles inside, making confetti, along with some candy. Everyone loved them. Thanks again
Dec 21, 2008. 12:24 PMpyrocop1 says:
I used the template you gave here, I just had to cut down one edge to make it work. I am using standard 8.5x11. I printed it on card stock it worked very well. Also when gluing I found wrapping it around a 2" Pvc pipe made life so much easier. I also double up on the pull string also,always good to have a back up. Or just a louder noise. Either way it good.
Dec 23, 2008. 5:00 AMNymph says:
Oh I love this Instructable! I'm Aussie and when living in Oz we always had these at Christmas time. You're right about the bad jokes, tissue paper crowns and plastic toys being half the fun. Thanks for posting this!
Dec 18, 2008. 7:39 PMAnarchistAsian says:
ha ha, at first i thought you meant food crackers...

nice though!
Dec 22, 2008. 7:09 PMmg0930mg says:
Me too. I guess these aren't commonly around in the states.
Dec 22, 2008. 8:35 PMAnarchistAsian says:
yeah, probably...
Dec 20, 2008. 11:48 AMteh darkcloud says:
Pretty cool. My orchestra teacher gave these to us yesterday (she's British) and explained the whole British tradition thing. I think I've seen instructions for these before on Zoom. (that show that used to be on PBS Kids)
Dec 22, 2008. 6:46 PMandros1200 says:
I used to watch that a couple years ago. good times
Dec 21, 2008. 5:54 PMbnmz101 says:
Can you provide file used to create the template. This looks like lots of fun!
Dec 19, 2008. 9:23 AMboilermaker says:
These look great! They would make a nice holiday treat. What material is used for the snapper? Any suggestions for other materials that might be used in case the original one isn't readily available?
Dec 21, 2008. 1:55 PMpyrocop1 says:
Here is what I used. Here is link to buy them in the US Skylighter
Dec 21, 2008. 2:58 AMkathynv says:
We aren't British, but a Bristish friend turned us on to these a couple of years ago. Since then, it has been a hit or miss thing, trying to find them in the states (as of Christmas 2008, Costco had them for about $15/box, and they have nice prizes inside) Now that I know I can make them, I know what I'll be doing next year. Thank you so much! This year, since I am giving everyone jewelry, I am going to use your template and make non-cracking crackers as wrapping for the jewelry. I'm sure they'll be well received, and thank you again.
Dec 20, 2008. 12:04 PMvolquete says:
great!
Dec 18, 2008. 11:25 PMfalcotheimpaler says:
never heard of this, i'm sure my family hasnt either... what a way to scare my girlfriend...
Dec 19, 2008. 2:03 PMstinkymum says:
you can knit them too! But then there is no toy, hat or motto inside. These ones you have made are great! Also I love the fact you have included the pattern. I can now make them myself - as an ex pat Brit I always have a hard time finding them here in the States.
Dec 19, 2008. 1:12 PMRehtwol says:
Forgot to mention that also, sometimes you find really small ones (like 6" max) that one puts onto the Christmas Tree as decorations!
Dec 19, 2008. 1:10 PMRehtwol says:
I only realized this when I mentioned it to one of my mates... He looked at me and said "you break crackers as a Christmas tradition?"... Since part of my family is English I have always had them at Christmas, normally the mass-produced ones with pieces of plastic in them :P I might also add that traditionally the person who ends up with the longer end (it will always break right at the tied parts) will have good luck in the coming year... Just as a note to everyone, the standard "hat" you would find traditionally would be a paper crown out of the same stuff they pack gifts and glasses with... Add a joke and you have effectively a traditional cracker. Again, thanks for a wonderful guide, they look very professional as a finished product :D
Dec 19, 2008. 10:00 AMLuminousObject says:
I've never seen these before, but they look really cool.
1-40 of 44next »

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