Who doesn't love a Christmas cracker? They're surely the unsung heroes of Christmas dinner - adding a bit of fun while you're busy tucking into the turkey (or nut roast). But if you're a bit bored of the store-bought crackers and the plastic toys inside, why not build your own? We have a range of Christmas cracker boxes available at Tiny Box Company - perfect for adding, well, whatever you like!

So whether you're going for a fun Christmas cracker with some riddles and puzzles, or a luxury self-care cracker with bath salts and candles, here's a few ideas for how to make them special...

Fun ideas for the young (and young at heart)

We'll start with an absolute must-have for every cracker - hats! Make them out of paper or tissue paper in any festive colour you like. They don't have to be plain either - unleash your creative side with some fun festive designs and patterns. Or, use plain paper and sketch out a simple design that can be coloured in, and include some colouring pencils in the cracker too!

Another needed Christmas cracker item is a joke. If the classic cracker jokes are too cheesy (or not cheesy enough...), this is a great chance to write your own! (For me - the cheesier, the better.) Need a couple of ideas? Try and guess the punchlines to these (also featured in the image below): 1. What's a snowman's favourite snack? 2. Why did Santa go to music school? Punchlines are below!

If your guests like solving riddles, then how about a mini puzzle or brain teaser? It gives everyone something fun to think about during their meal, and you can include different difficulty levels depending on how much you want to stump your family and friends. For example: 1. What gets wet while drying? 2. Two in a corner, one in a room, zero in a house, but one in a shelter. What am I? 3. What runs, but never walks? Murmurs, but never talks? Has a bed, but never sleeps? And has a mouth, but never eats? Answers to all three can be found below!

Staying on the creative theme, you could also go for a few lego or puzzle pieces. Pop some in each cracker and build something together at the table. Or, how about some temporary tattoos? They're perfect for kids, and let's be honest, the adults (like me) will be tempted too.

Yummy edible delights

Food is always a winner - because who doesn't love a little sweet or savoury treat after the main meal? Classic choices include pre-wrapped mini chocolates or truffles, and you may as well go for the good stuff - because life’s too short for cheap chocolate. Candy canes are another classic festive treat to include, or you can put some honey or jam into mini jars to give guests something that's a bit different. Bonus points if they're homemade!

You could also opt for individually wrapped teas or coffee sachets for a cosy cup after the feast, or, if you think your guests might need it with all the chaos that comes with Christmas, consider a cheeky lil bottle of wine or spirit to bring the festive cheer.

Luxury self-care and personalised surprises

Want to spoil everyone a little? Create a cracker with a dash of indulgence, with products like luxury hand creams (which have the added bonus of keeping those winter-chapped hands happy), or some lip balms in classic wintry scents like peppermint or cranberry. Keep the self-care theme going with some mini candles, again in some festive-themed scents. (Cinnamon spice, anyone?) And why not put together some little pouches of bath salts for the ultimate self-care experience?

And you also add a personal touch to make everyone around the table feel special - like a handwritten note that shares a sweet sentiment about how much you care. Or slip a small ornament with their name on it into the cracker, with personalised pins or badges another great option for a custom gift.

Let's crack on!

DIY Christmas crackers are the perfect way to add a little more magic to your holiday season. Whether you’re going for laughter, luxury, or a bit of both, the effort you put in will light up your Christmas table - and your guests' faces!

Ready, set, crack on (ahem) with the crafting!

Shop our range of Christmas crackers here, and check out our full Christmas collection for gift boxes and bags, Christmas Eve boxes, ribbon, tissue paper, cards, and more.

Punchlines to the jokes: 1. Ice Krispies! 2. Because he wanted to improve his wrapping skills!
Answers to the riddles: 1. A towel (it gets wet while drying you). 2. The letter 'R'. 3. A river!