Pink Tinsel Party Crackers

These easy-to-make party favors are cracking good fun!

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

If you love party crackers—a British holiday staple—you're going to adore this DIY tinsel tree version. Made entirely from scratch using paper and pink tinsel, these Christmas crackers offer a unique take on the traditional party poppers.

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For starters, the crackers are constructed out of card stock cones rather than the typical cardboard tubes. This creates simple yet recognizable Christmas tree shapes. Each cone is then adorned with metallic tinsel, stuffed with goodies like candy and stickers and then embellished with sparkly stars. The finished product is delightfully sweet and festive!

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Worth noting, these crackers will not make the iconic "popping" sound like the traditional kind, though you're welcome to add cracker snaps if you'd like. Each cracker is also designed to be opened by one person due to the shape and construction. With that in mind, this project doubles as an excellent stocking stuffer or Christmas gift during the holiday season. We think even Santa would approve!

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Ready to make your own Christmas crackers? Follow this step-by-step tutorial for making tinsel tree holiday crackers just in time for Christmas parties.

Video: Pink Tinsel Party Crackers

Things You'll Need

  • Light pink card stock

  • Printable cone template

  • Marker or pencil

  • Pink tinsel fringe curtain

  • Blue and gold tinsel fringe curtain (optional)

  • Silver or gold tissue paper

  • Hemp cord or ribbon

  • Candy, stickers, hair accessories and other trinkets

  • Star embellishments

    (optional)

  • Hot glue gun

  • Clear tape

  • Glue runner or double-sided tape

  • Scissors

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Tip

Tinsel fringe curtains are a type of party supply. They’re often sold by party supply retailers, such as EfavormartBoutique on Etsy.

1. Make paper cone

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Print and cut out the paper cone template. Trace it on a sheet of light pink card stock.

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Tip

The template can be traced twice on a 12 by 12 in. sheet of card stock. To do so, line up the straight edges of the template with the edge of the card stock.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Fold the template along the line. Trace the diagonal edge on the card stock.

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Cut out the card stock cone pattern and then fold along the diagonal line, pressing the paper to form a hard crease. This will create a separate "tab."

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Fold over the tab and then apply glue runner tape or double-sided tape.

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Gently bend the paper into a cone shape, placing the tab along the inside of the opposite end. The edge of the paper should line up with the fold.

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Tip

If needed, trim the bottom to straighten the edge. You can also add a dot of hot glue along the top point to close up the seam.

2. Make tinsel fringe

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Cut a row of tinsel fringe measuring about 5 in. long and 8 in. wide. Lay the tinsel strands side by side, spreading them as evenly as possible.

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Add an 8-in. strip of clear tape across the center, picking up as many tinsel strands as possible.

Tip

If there are gaps, simply turn over the tinsel and lay strands on empty areas of adhesive.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Fold the tinsel in half horizontally along the tape. Press to form a crease.

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Add a thin strand of hot glue along the inside of the fold and press to secure. Repeat along the entire row.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Trim the fringe to even out the ends.

Tip

Reuse the tinsel pieces as confetti!

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Repeat to create a 6-in. and 4-in. strip.

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3. Cover cone with fringe

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Now, it's time to transform the cone into a tinsel Christmas tree! Hot glue the 8-in. strand around the base of the cone; the bottom of the fringe should fall just past the bottom edge of the cone.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Trim the excess if needed and glue down the ends.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Add the 6-in. layer around the middle of the cone, overlapping with the bottom layer slightly. Repeat with the 4-in. layer around the top, cutting away the excess as necessary.

If needed, glue excess fringe around the top point of the cone.

4. Stuff the cracker

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Cut a sheet of tissue paper measuring approximately 12 in. by 18 in. Place small gifts in the center.

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Tip

In addition to candy and trinkets, you can also stuff the cracker with more traditional fillers, like party hats, paper crowns and holiday jokes. Things like mini candy canes and gift certificates are also great options.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Wrap the gifts in tissue paper and tie it off with a strand of hemp or ribbon.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Line the card stock cone with hot glue and place the tissue-wrapped bundle inside. Trim the tissue paper.

5. Decorate with stars

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To make coordinating trees, try adding tinsel in other colors for extra dimension. (This is a great way to use up leftover tinsel fringe!)

Want to give your project a luxury Christmas cracker feel? Hot glue star embellishments to each tree. Foam and plastic stars work great, but you can also cut them out of metallic or glitter card stock.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Your tinsel tree party favors are ready for gifting! Hand them out at your next holiday party or for something more personal, customize the crackers for each guest at Christmas dinner. You can also simply lay them out as table decorations, where they'll add sparkle and shine to your spread.

Merry Christmas!

Love the pastel pink color palette during the holidays? Check out our tutorial on how to make pink candy-inspired holiday slippers.

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