Fortnum and Mason, a brand renowned for their luxurious (and pricy) goodies, has just released Christmas crackers, priced at over £500.
Retail experts, however, stress that you can get the same bougie Christmas experience at a fraction of the price by making them yourself.
Nick Drewe, the founder of the discount platform Wethrift, shared a tutorial on how to craft your own crackers, as well as sharing dupes for the contents inside.
How to make the gold Christmas crackers:
- Christmas cracker template (downloadable online)
- Gold cardstock
- Cracker snaps (optional, but gives the crackers their “pop”)
- Gold ribbon
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Scissors
- Paper
- A pen
Instructions:
- Download and print the template
Search online for a “Christmas cracker template printable” and print it directly onto gold cardstock. This ensures your cracker holds its shape.
- Cut out the template
Using scissors, carefully cut along the outline of your printed template.
- Score and fold
Lightly score the fold lines with scissors or a blunt edge. These lines typically mark the main body of the cracker and the zigzag areas where the ends narrow.
- Assemble the tube
Roll the main body into a tube shape, overlapping the edges slightly, and secure with glue or tape.
- Insert the cracker snap (Optional)
If using cracker snaps, place one inside the tube, ensuring the ends stick out on both sides.
- Fill with treats
Add your choice of goodies, jokes, or surprises to the central section of the cracker.
- Close the ends
Twist the paper near the perforations on one side, tie it off with ribbon or string, then repeat on the other end after filling the cracker.
- Decorate (Optional)
Personalise your crackers with stickers, glitter, or name tags.
Affordable dupes for the Fortnum & Mason cracker contents
Nick also found budget-friendly alternatives to replicate the deluxe gifts inside Fortnum & Mason’s crackers:
Gold paper hats: These can be easily and affordably made with gold tissue paper, which is available for £1 at The Range or pre-made on Etsy or Amazon.
Green tea caddy: Replace the loose-leaf caddy with individually wrapped Twining’s green tea sachets. These can be distributed evenly across all the crackers, or placed in just one.
Chocolate & orange biscuits: For that signature Christmas chocolate-orange flavour on a budget, opt for Terry’s Chocolate Orange or chocolate orange Club bars.
Rose and pomegranate hand lotion: Instead of the luxury lotion, try The Body Shop’s British Rose Hand Cream, a high-quality, beautifully scented alternative that costs less than £5.
Bottle stopper: Both exciting and practical, bottle stoppers are the perfect stocking (or cracker, in this case) filler. Dunelm offers a cheaper option for just £2.50.
Corkscrew: Amazon offers corkscrew options for as low as £3.18 each.
Honeybee coin purse: Support small UK businesses with a handmade coin purse. Etsy seller MaddyEverAfter’s Bumblebee Coin Purse is a lovely choice, priced at just £3.
Cocktail jigger: A cocktail jigger is a must-have for cocktail making and can be found on Amazon for only £2.60.
Total Cost: £17.15
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