Homemade crackers

Method

• step 1

  Cut out a 30 x 20cm rectangle of wrapping paper. Flip the paper over so the reverse side is on show with one of the longer ends closest to you. Place a toilet roll, vertically, midway down one end. Mark the paper at either end of the toilet roll, then set the toilet roll aside and fold the paper in at the marks. Snip into the folds using scissors. Unfold the paper and stick the toilet roll in its original position with glue. Fold in the ends to just beneath snipped parts, if you want to hide the reverse of the wrapping paper. Put a cracker snapper strip through the toilet roll and trim, if you need to. Attach each end to the paper using sticky tape.

• step 2

  Roll the paper around the toilet roll and stick it in place with glue. Scrunch the paper around one end of the roll, being careful not to tear the cuts you’ve made, then secure with string or ribbon. Tip in jokes you have written (try our suggestions, below) and sweets, or other treats, through the open end of the cracker, then secure that end with more string or ribbon.

  Our favourite festive food jokes

  Q Why was the turkey asked to be in a rock band?
  A Because he was the only one with drumsticks!

  Q What do you call a train loaded with toffee?
  A Chew chew train

  Q Who hides in the bakery at Christmas?
  A Mince spy

  Q What do snowmen eat for lunch?
  A Burrr-itos

  Q What do you get if you cross a Christmas tree with an apple?
  A Pineapple

  Q What’s the best thing to put into a Christmas cake?
  A Your teeth!