The best part of making your own Christmas crackers is deciding what goes inside. Instead of a plastic moustache that ends up in the bin by Boxing Day, you can choose little gifts people will genuinely enjoy. Here are 40 cracker filler ideas, split into groups, plus tips on sizing, budgeting and matching gifts to guests.
Before you choose: size and weight
Whatever you pick needs to fit comfortably inside the cracker alongside a paper hat and a joke. As a rule of thumb, aim for items roughly the size of a lipstick or a matchbox. Heavy or bulky gifts make the cracker awkward to pull and can crush the snap. If you are using a kit from our make-your-own Christmas cracker range, check the cracker dimensions on the listing before you shop for fillers.
Cracker fillers for kids (10 ideas)
- Mini crayons or a tiny colouring booklet
- Fun-shaped erasers
- Stickers or temporary tattoos
- Small bouncy ball
- Hair bobbles or clips
- Mini puzzle or a single-piece brain teaser
- Chocolate coins
- Glow stick bracelet
- Pocket-sized joke book
- A small pack of playing cards
Keep choking hazards in mind: for younger children, choose larger items with no small parts, and let an adult pull the cracker.
Cracker fillers for adults (10 ideas)
- Miniature spirit or liqueur
- Lottery scratchcard
- Lip balm or a travel-size hand cream
- Luxury chocolate truffle
- Tea bags or coffee sachets in a festive flavour
- Seed packet for spring planting
- Bottle opener keyring
- Nail file or a small mirror
- Guitar pick or golf tee for hobby lovers
- A pair of fun socks rolled tightly
Budget-friendly fillers (10 ideas)
- Handwritten "voucher" for a cup of tea or washing up
- Homemade fudge wrapped in baking paper
- A personalised compliment or memory
- Wrapped sweets or a mini chocolate bar
- Bookmark
- Pencil with a festive topper
- Paper fortune teller you have folded yourself
- Photo of a shared memory
- Recipe card for your favourite Christmas bake
- Small ornament to hang on the tree
Fillers that start the fun (10 ideas)
- Trivia question cards, one per cracker
- Charades prompts to act out after dinner
- "Who am I?" sticky notes
- A dare or forfeit slip
- Mini dice for a quick table game
- A riddle, with the answer in someone else's cracker
- Raffle ticket for a prize draw after pudding
- A role for the day, such as "Chief Carver" or "DJ"
- Clue for a treasure hunt around the house
- A token to swap for a gift from under the tree
Game-style fillers pair brilliantly with our Christmas party and games collection. For example, a slip inside each cracker could reveal who goes first at Pin the Nose on the Snowman, or who has to wear the novelty Santa and Reindeer party glasses for the rest of the meal.
How to match gifts to guests
- Write a list first. Note each guest's name and one thing they enjoy. It makes choosing much quicker.
- Label as you go. Put a name tag on each cracker as soon as it is filled so personalised gifts do not end up with the wrong person.
- Mix and match. One themed gift plus a sweet treat keeps everyone happy.
- Have a neutral spare. Keep one or two crackers with universal fillers such as chocolates in case plans change.
Picking a cracker design
If you want the crackers to look as good as they feel, choose a design that fits your table. The White and Gold Star kit suits an elegant grown-up dinner, while the Penguin kit is a sweet choice for a family table with children.
A quick safety note
Snaps are small friction strips that make the bang, and they are not toys. Keep snaps and small fillers away from babies and small children, avoid anything sharp or fragile inside the cracker, and always follow the instructions that come with your kit. Remember to check for allergies before adding food gifts.
Related guides: How to Make Your Own Christmas Crackers: A Step-by-Step Guide and How Many Christmas Crackers Do I Need? A Planning Guide.
Time to fill your crackers
With these 40 ideas you should never be stuck for what to put inside a Christmas cracker again. Pick a kit from our make-your-own Christmas crackers collection, gather your fillers and enjoy the surprise on everyone's faces. Free UK delivery makes it easy to stock up early.