Saturday, October 25, 2008

Make Your Own Crackers

Crackers are a traditional New Year's Eve favor in the UK. They are becoming increasingly popular in the US and these days and you can even find pre-made Christmas Crackers in some stores.

Crackers add a lot of fun to any occasion. Kids love to make them as well as open them. Since they hold less, they can be a frugal alternative to the traditional birthday party treat bag. Some other ideas:
~Tie on to a package/gift bag or add to a package in place of a bow.
~Make several for a classroom treat.
~Make as party favors using one color tissue for children and one color for adults.
~Use as a creative way to give cash as a gift.
~Include two in your child's overnight bag when they spend the night with a friend.
~Keep several on hand for last-minute treats or unexpected guests.
~Hide them and let guests search for them like an Easter egg hunt.

Here's what you'll need:
Cardboard tubes (from T.P., paper towels, gift wrap or make your own from card stock)
Small trinkets that fit inside tube (see list below for ideas)
Tissue paper to match your occasion
Double-sided tape
Ribbon
Scissors

Step 1- Fill your paper tube with the items you have chosen.

Step 2- Place a strip of double-sided tape down the length of the tube.

Step 3- Cut a strip of tissue paper about 5 inches wider than the length of your tube.

Step 4- Place the edge of the tissue paper on the strip of tape to secure it to the tube. Place another piece of double-sided tape on top of the edge of the tissue.

Step 5- Roll the tube up in the tissue.


Step 6- Cut two 6 inch pieces of ribbon and use to tie the tissue paper closed at each end of the tube so that the finished piece resembles a giant piece of candy. Curl ribbon if desired.




Ideas for cracker fillers:
Whistles, erasers, candy, crayons, supplies to make a beaded bracelet, hair accessories, small flashlights, toy cars, lip balm, stickers, money, small bottle of bubble solution, rings, earrings, necklaces, nail polish, movie tickets, small gel pens, markers, colored pencils, glow sticks, fruit snacks, blow-out party favors, small action figures or Army men, super bounce balls, marbles, magnets. Can you think of any more?



5 comments:

  1. Stephanie, It's the weirdest thing, but I can't seem to comment at your other blogs. I click on "post a comment" and nothing happens. Not sure if others are having the same problem, but I thought I'd mention it. I've tried in on different days with no luck.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmm... well I enabled a new comment feature on all the blogs. Seems to be working here, but not on the others. I guess I will try changing it back to the old way and see if that works. Thanks for letting me know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CRACKERS! I haven't thought of crackers for ages! What a neat idea and THANK YOU!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there, I'm just trying to check out all the blogs in the Best Variety category for the HSBA's. (I'm nominated too.) Yours is lovely. I hope to come back regularly.

    Here in the UK we have crackers on Christmas Day, not NYE. The main Christmas meal is on Christmas Day in the afternoon and the table is laid with all its finery, and a cracker on each plate. The paper hat is included in the contents and it's traditional to wear the hat throughout the meal. Just one of those weird English traditions!

    Dorothy
    http://romany-youdidwhat.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dorothy,

    Thanks for the expert information! :) Sounds like a fun tradition!

    ReplyDelete