Christmas Crackers for All

 Hi Crafters

Well December is marching on. Still we are unable to meet with family and friends and Christmas is going to look very different this year

As a member of my local Women's Institute I have been lucky to have the friendship of other members throughout the difficult months and lockdowns. We have had walks and kept in touch with each other, and once the summer was over the committee decided we wanted to give back to our members  during the coming months when we are unable to meet, but still have membership to the organisation.

October we delivered to all members a cheese supper with scones cheese and chutney.

November we produced our own magazine with news from members, County and National, along with recipes, a prize quiz and craft makes, and a tongue in cheek Problem Page.

December we wanted to give everyone a small box of Christmas goodies and decided to present them in a Cracker. So I set about checking out the cracker templates available on YouTube until I found one that I liked and could adapt for the size we required. However making a Cracker large enough for the goodies meant the presents needed to go into a box, or they would be in danger of falling out. So I made a box that fits inside the cracker. I then set about cutting  and embossing the sheets of A4 card for the box and the 12 x 12 sheet of card for the outer Cracker. We have 27 members and were looking forward to getting together to complete and fill the boxes and crackers with a glass of mulled wine and mince pie to keep us going. Unfortunately Lock-Down meant we were unable to do this so Gill and I shared the job of making them up.

And here they are...

The decorations were quite different from the 2 makers but that just added to the interest. The Crackers were then divided up amongst 4 of us for the delivery to members on Thursday 10th December, which would normally be our meeting day. 

If you would like to make these for your family or guests over Christmas here are the instructions for the Cracker and Box 

Requires:

1 sheet of 12 x 12
1 sheet of A4
Ribbon

Outer Decoration
 
For the Outer Cracker
 
Take the 12 x 12 and score @
1 7/8”, 3 ¾”, 5  5/8”, 7 1/2” , 9 3/8” , 11 ¼”
Turn and score both sides @ 2”, 2 ¾”, 3 1/2”,
Fold and Burnish all your score lines
For the 2” side fold concertina style and cut a V notch at each of the down score lines This gives fold lines to shape  the crackers ends
 
For the Box inside:
 Cut the A4 card to 10.5” long and Score @
1 ¾”, 4 ¼” , 6”, 8 ½” along the 10.5” side
Turn and score 1 ¾” both sides of the 8.25” 

Fold up and cut in the side panels to the score line to fold into a box

Cut the top corners off.

I would love to see any of your crackers 

Happy Crafting

Dee