How to make: Christmas crackers

Method:

1) First make your paper hats. Draw and cut a template from card - approximately 30cm in length (shorter for children). If making multiple hats, place several sheets of tissue paper on top of each other and carefully cut out using your template. Take two cut out shapes and gently use glue stick to glue the ends together to make your hat.

2) To make your cracker place three cardboard rolls close together onto the plain side of your wrapping paper. Put a cracker snap through the tube and secure to the middle roll. Make sure you'll have enough paper to cover and overlap the cardboard rolls when wrapped.

3) Next, cut your paper so it is the same width as the three cardboard rolls. Place three pieces of double sided tape along one end of the wrapping paper, each piece in line with each cardboard roll. (This should be the side that sticks to the wrapping paper - not the cardboard roll.)

4) Roll the wrapping paper over the cardboard rolls to completely cover. Overlap the paper (with the side with the tape on top) and press down to stick the double-sided tape firmly to the paper.

5) Gently pull the two cardboard rolls on either end slightly away from the middle. Between one end roll and the middle roll tie a loose knot with your ribbon round the paper and gently tighten to create your cracker end. Remove the end roll and continue to tighten until there is only a small gap when you look down the end of the cracker then tie a bow and cut any excess ribbon.

6) Fill your cracker with your hat and chosen goodies and then repeat step five on the still open end of your cracker.

How to fill your crackers

Homemade Spanish fig & almond balls will make lovely after dinner treats, as will individually-wrapped fruity Christmas biscotti and simple star biscuits - ideal alongside coffee cocktails.

For surprises that won't keep for too long, pre-make your crackers and, a couple of days before Christmas, fill with indulgent sweets like choc hazelnut truffles, white chocolate chip fudge or bramble marshmallows and refer back to step five to complete your unique crackers.

You could also go all out with decorating with these 3D Christmas tree decorations, Christmas tree napkins and many more festive table decorations. We also have an easy DIY Christmas cards guide full of useful tips to spark your creativity. We also have an impressive guide on our Top 10 festive DIY Christmas crafts which will prove a great winters day activity and spark inspiration for gift-giving this season.

If you're making your own crackers this year, share your efforts with us on Facebook or tell us how you got on below.