Beauty Oriented Christmas Crackers

Let's Put a Little Thought Into This Tradition

Christmas Crackers are so pretty to look at but the contents are usually a waste of money. This year, I have decided to make my own. You have so much control over the size and contents... they make the store bought crackers pale in comparison!

CONTAINERS

• Bathroom Tissue Paper Tubes -- These are an old standby that everyone has. Simply collect one per person and store away until you make up the crackers.
• Christmas Paper Cardboard Tubes -- Can't quite stuff everything you want into bathroom tissue paper tubes? Then here's the answer. These tubes are close to three feet in length so you can cut them any length you want.
• Pringle Potato Chip Cans -- You hate throwing them away but couldn't come up with a use! Now, you have a reason. They are a great size, they allow you plenty of room to stuff in lots of goodies and they are sturdy. Can you imagine how great they will look once they are decorated and sitting on your holiday table!

FILLERS

• Christmas Hat -- As silly as they look, they have to be part of the Christmas Cracker. It will take you seconds to whip them up with tissue paper. Make one from heavy paper and then use it as a guide. Cut them out and then staple them in place. I have tons of Christmas stickers. You could use that to decorate them. They just might turn out better than the ones that they stuff in the mass produced crackers.
• Candy -- What Christmas Cracker would be complete without Christmas candy? Well, in my opinion it has to be included. But along with the candy, stuff in a package of sugarfree gum. Have to watch those cavities. And this goes without saying... don't pack candy in the cracker that contains highly scented bath salts etc. Chances are, the candy will absorb the scent.
• Nuts -- If you have room, add some nuts to the contents. It will drive everyone crazy when they shake the cracker for the first time!
• The Fun Stuff -- Instead of a whistle, or a pencil (and that is the better fillers), I have some better ideas. Check out your drugstore sample section and fill your Christmas Stocking full of lip balm, bubble bath, moisturizers etc. I haunt the sample section on every visit and it seems to grow by the week. I even found tiny emery boards that looks just like a matchbook.The possibilities are endless!

DECORATING YOUR CHRISTMAS CRACKER

• Now is the time to use up all of those little pieces of wrapping paper that would normally get thrown into the garbage. You are going to need enough to wrap each cracker with about two inches of free paper on each end. Tape in place and then tie the ends with several strands of curling ribbon.This will secure the contents from falling out and it looks pretty as well. If you don't have curling ribbon, there are lots of alternative ribbons that you can use ranging from sparkly to stretchy. Simply use your imagination.