Christmas tags and packaging all rolled into one!

Hello Friends, I am so excited so share these party crackers with you. I have been wanting to make these for years! The great thing about these is the supply list.... toilet paper rolls and copy paper!



Today you will see these featured at the Penny Black blog along with the talented Elizabeth.  Be sure to check out Monday and Tuesday's post if you haven't already. They will be showcasing packaging and tags all week. Maybe you will hop over there to leave a comment instead at the
PB blog instead of here? Hope you don't mind if I say this ? I would be happy to hear feedback on this matter.


In order to differentiate the boys from the girls I colored the bows blue and red for each gender.

We always give money to my nieces and nephews and every year I usually end up taping the money to the bottom of a cereal box then wrapping the box. This year they have to work a little bit by unrolling the money but, I think it will be fun. Sort of like money confetti.



Search your kids room for unwanted and forgotten little bits of stuff. That's where I found the rubber bands, paper clips and some other small toy. I purchased the banana erasers & the fun bubble gum.



I added some small perfume samples for the girls. You really can get carried away thinking of things. Nail polish, make up, jewelery...girls are so easy. Ok let's great started.



I try to avoid measuring at all costs so rolling a sheet of copy paper make this pretty simple. Secure it with tape. Why copy paper...it's thin and easy to scrunch at the ends.



After rolling scrunch, gather or pinch the ends. They will stay this way until you are ready for ribbon or string. The rubber bands are the ones for the girls.



I love this paper from Penny Black and I was thrilled with the richness the distress ink gave the paper.  (check the paper out here) After distressing  I added a little stippling with the distressing tool. This gave the paper a little bit of variance with the color.



I was happy to find some gold embossing powder in my craft room and some gold embroidery thread that I used to tie the ends off. Stamp the holly tags with embossing ink and emboss in gold. I tried a few different ways to color the leaves. I liked the result of the copics best for this application mostly because I wanted to leave a white boarder around the holly.
If you would like to read the traditions of the Christmas cracker that originated from England you can read more about here. Thanks for stopping by and leaving all of your encouraging comments. You all rock. If you are in the states have an awesome Thanksgiving. I am grateful for ALL OF YOU! 
Hugs, Kathy

Supplies: