Tsaousis
During the annual festive season when we all look forward to spending more time with the family why do so many of us overlook our pets? They’re loved ones too are they not? They’re considered family and would love a cracker, especially one of these boasting a squidgy rubber bone for dogs and a squidgy rubber mouse for cats. Just don’t expect them to pull it.
Price: €5
Debenhams
Nearing one meter long, this giant cracker from Debenhams will amuse both kids and adults. Kids will love the size of the thing and fantasise about the size of the gift likely to full out while adults will undoubtedly form a line and prepare for a game of tug of war. Contains a variety of novelties, hats, mottos and snaps.
Price: €15
Marks and Spencer
Party season does not necessarily translate to rave parties, indefinite alcohol consumption and flashing head gear for everyone. Take it up a notch with these luxurious, classic crackers from Marks and Spencer. With gold detailing over a burgundy background, watch your guests fight over the potential novelties including cufflinks, shoe horns, silver pens and a bottle stopper.
Price: €29.50 for 6
Early Learning Centre
Encouraging children to be creative, the Early Learning Centre has an array of Make Your Own arts and crafts. For Christmas, allow your kids to express themselves with Make Your Own Santa Stop Signs, Make Your Own Cards and even Christmas Picture Frames. But go for the best, which is this Make Your Own Christmas Crackers kit. With sparkly red, silver and green paper, ribbons and cracker snaps, you can add your own small gifts.
Price: €7
CJ Greeting Cards
Larnaca’s CJ Greeting Cards opened its doors three years ago and stocks a magnificent range of greetings cards for any occasion in addition to other stationery items and gifts. Christmas crackers are also available in the form of the Luxury 12 and the Deluxe 6. Both cost the same, so what’s the difference? It’s in the contents.
Price: €11.95
Tel: 24 624541 or 24 723214
Make Your Own
Everyone loves a personal touch and hand-crafted is very ‘in’ right now, so why not make your own crackers? There are a number of sites online that share instructions and tips as to how you can achieve the perfect Christmas cracker. www.oldenglishcrackers.com will give you great ideas about filling your own crackers, while the detailed instruction section is very helpful. For bags of originality try www.ivillage.co.uk, where you’ll find even better filling ideas. For starters, don’t throw away those toilet rolls once you’re done.
Tsaousis
Worried your crackers won’t match your table decorations? The inventor of Christmas crackers, Tom Smith, has the answer: a box that contains six crackers in addition to gold-beaded napkins, napkin rings and coasters!
Price: €69
