PULL A CRACKER
Make your own Christmas crackers using cardboard rolls and wrapping paper, and then decorate them to match the theme of your Christmas dining table
Materials:
■ Sheet of wrapping paper, 35x18cm (14x7in), for each cracker
■ 2 cardboard rolls, 8.5cm (3¼in) in length and 5cm (2in) in diameter
■ 1 cardboard roll, 10cm (4in) in length and 5cm (2in) in diameter
■ Ruler and pencil ■ Scissors
■ Hot glue gun
(or all-purpose glue)
■ Piece of cracker snap (for each cracker)
■ Gifts or sweetss (to fill the crackers)
■ Ribbons, beads, or decorations of your choice
1. Lay the sheet of wrapping paper flat on a table and fold one of the shorter edges of the paper over by 11cm (4¼in) toward the centre of the paper. Repeat for the other short side of the paper.
2. Using the ruler and pencil, mark out a series of lines, approx 15mm (5/8in) apart, along the folded edges of the paper. Then use the scissors to cut into each mark by approx 2cm (¾in).
3. Flatten out the paper, then lay the larger roll in the central section and the two shorter rolls in each end section so that the rolls are in line and parallel with the long sides of the paper. Roll the paper around the rolls and stick into place using glue or a hot glue gun. Insert a piece of cracker snap long enough to run through all three cracker sections. Add the small gift or sweet to the central section. Wrap some wide ribbon around the centre of the cracker, making sure the raw ends are at the back where the edges of the paper have been stuck down. Stick the ribbon securely with glue and allow to dry.
4. Tie a length of narrow ribbon around the cracker where you have cut the slits – do this carefully to avoid tearing the paper. Repeat at the other end of the cracker. Use the scissors to trim the ends of the ribbons diagonally to prevent them fraying.
5. Decorate with beads or any other decorations you wish.