My 'kids', like many people today, fortunately, are very environmentally aware. At Christmas, they have recently started nagging me about 2 things : wrapping paper and Christmas crackers. So, last year we started wrapping gifts either in newspaper or fabric, with a pretty ribbon. I'm fine with that, in fact it can look just as good! And no waste. Dumping the Christmas Cracker was difficult for me though, as Christmas just isn't Christmas without them. However, I do agree that they are a waste of money in the sense that they just end up in the waste paper bin after being opened. So this year, I saved the toilet roll centres and made my own crackers out of old wrapping paper, cards and ribbons. They won't go pop, but inside is a handwritten joke to read out at the table, a couple of chocolate coins, a chocolate reindeer and a £5 scratch card. Who knows, someone around our table might win a fortune this Christmas ... although I doubt it somehow! But it'll be fun scratching off those numbers though!
What a fantastic idea Issi. I usually purchase mine after Christmas when they are marked down and we had the same conversation saying this will be the last year for them because of the waste. Thanks for the idea and inspiration. I'll have to do it your way next year! :) Merry Christmas!
Nice shot and they look pretty. Well done. I used to make my own crackers but this year bought a bunch of "eco friendly" crackers from the RSPB and they look pretty good. They have origami puzzles inside and I used to love doing origami as a kid!
Well done making your own...you must do them in between climbing mountains!! 🤣 Seriously I’m full of admiration & they will be far nicer than the plastic rubbish you get in modern ones unless you spend an absolute fortune! Cant say we’ve ever been fond of crackers in our house but I’m sure we would love yours!
Beautiful Issi - and they look delightful in b&w, with the cute robin. My great aunt always sent us a box of handmade ones and I followed in her footsteps. As a teenager, I started making them for the family... I even made white crepe paper crackers for my guests at my winter wedding! I confess it’s been a while since I’ve done any ... although I still have some of the ‘snaps’ that I bought years ago!
They look wonderful. You could use paper that can be composted or used as mulch afterwards. There's a vendor on Etsy that sells cracker snapper strips. Too late for this year, I realize. I participated in a discussion the other day about "live" (cut) Christmas trees. One person indicated they weren't good for the environment to cut trees to keep 2 (+ / -) weeks. She was countered with the trees are grown for this purpose, they can be chipped up for mulch, they can be put in the lake to improve the habitat for fish.
@haskar A very British tradition, I think. Not sure in how many countries they are used at Christmas. When we lived in France many years ago, it was a challenge to find them - definitely not a tradition there - although you can buy them more easily now, for sure.
Although I used to be a cracker maker...none this year as by ourselves. Great fun...although getting the 'snaps' by post was not always easy. We had a family good session on 'Whats App'...and use it more and more as an effective communication without strictures. New Year next week...needs must come up with something novel!
That is so beautiful. I thought of doing the same actually but didn't quite make it! But you have inspired me.
The wrapping paper is a huge issue.....I did manage to recycle some, had lots left over from last year and the year before! And Susannah ordered two lovely pieces of fabric for gift wrapping from her cousin who has a successful fabric wrapping business from home. You might enjoy checking it out. Being able to reuse it is just lovely! https://www.furoshiki-giftwrap.co.uk/
@randystreat I like the link for the cracker snapper.....I might check that out for future reference. We have two local people who have goats and happy to accept the used trees to feed her goats!!!
What a great idea. I may adopt it next year
The wrapping paper is a huge issue.....I did manage to recycle some, had lots left over from last year and the year before! And Susannah ordered two lovely pieces of fabric for gift wrapping from her cousin who has a successful fabric wrapping business from home. You might enjoy checking it out. Being able to reuse it is just lovely! https://www.furoshiki-giftwrap.co.uk/
@s4sayer You know I have a box of them and forgot to get them out this year. Boo hoo!