Christmas crackers are an important Christmas tradition in most commonwealth countries. Christmas crackers can usually be found decorated across the table on which the Christmas dinner is served on. They are decorated in Christmas colours, such as red, green, silver and gold. It is custom for two people to pull on each side of the cracker, it largely resembles the act of pulling a wish bone. The person who after pulling the cracker holds the larger part of the broken cracker wins the contents within. This is usually a paper hat, a joke, and a small toy.

Equipment:

• Cardboard tubes
• Christmas wrapping paper
• Sticky tape
• Glue
• Scissors
• Cracker Snaps

Directions:

• Take the wrapping paper, and lay it out, then put one cardboard tube into the middle of the paper, then cut another tube in half and both parts either side of the original tube, leave at least two inches in between each tube.
• Use Sticky tape to apply the tubes to the paper, be careful to prevent the paper from ripping; the paper is designed to tear easily when pulled.
• Above the tubes glue down the Cracker Snap, make sure though that when the cracker will be pulled, the snap will easily break.
• Fold the paper round the tubes and glue the paper down, to make a smooth wrapped cylinder.
• Pinch and twist the gap on one of the sides, then you can tie some ribbon keeping the gap securely closed.
• On the other side fill the contents of the cracker, you will need to push it through the first small tube and into the middle larger tube. Things to include; a joke, a tissue paper hat and a small gift. Your small gift could be sweets, chocolate, small piece of jewellery, key ring or any small toy.
• Then like the other side, pinch, twist and tie ribbon so the gap is sealed.
• Now you have made a fully working cracker! Enjoy making and using your crackers!