Make your own Christmas crackers

These are becoming increasingly expensive in stores and it can cost an arm and a leg to get one for each family member.

Take some time out of the day and make your own Christmas crackers without spending too much.

Follow these tips to find out how easy it is.

First, assemble all the items you will need, this includes:

• Christmas wrapping paper of your choice
• Empty toilet paper rolls (depending on how many people will need)
• Ribbon or tinsel
• Scissors
• Glue
• Images cut from Christmas cards (optional)
• Pen or permanent marker
• Pieces of paper

When you have all your ducks in a row, write on each piece of paper either:

• A personal note to a loved one
• An inspirational quote
• A blessing
• A “prediction” for the future
• A joke

Once this is done and everyone has received a message, add this into the empty toilet paper roll, along with small gifts which include:

• Plastic toy
• Sewing kit
• Wrapped candy or chocolates
• Bubblegum
• Eraser
• Costume jewellery

Cut square pieces of the gift wrapping and place empty toilet paper roll in the middle.

Keep in mind that the piece needs to be wide enough to cover the roll and leave about 10cm to spare on both sides of the roll.

When you are certain the paper covers the roll, use glue to stick the wrapping together and fold each end neatly over the hole, twisting the paper three times.

Cut a certain length of the ribbon, tinsel or both and tie it around each end of the roll.

For the final step, decorate each cracker individually with the cuttings from the Christmas cards and place on the table.

Source: www.wikihow.com