Christmas Gift Cracker using Elegant Pines – Creativity Abounds Blog Hop

Nov 19, 2025 | 3D items, Blog Hop, Christmas, Gift Ideas

Welcome to this month’s Creativity Abounds Blog Hop!
Our wonderfully talented team of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from across the globe are here to share festive inspiration, creative ideas, and a generous sprinkling of Christmas cheer. Whether you’re joining me from another stop on the hop or starting right here, I’m delighted to have you with us.

As the festive season begins to draw in — with its gentle glow, evergreen fragrance, and the cosy charm of handmade gifting — I felt inspired to create one of my favourite traditional makes: a handcrafted Christmas cracker.

Treat Bags using the Love You Always Suite from Stampin Up

Creativity Abounds – A Truly Global Team 🌍

It’s such a joy to collaborate with this incredible international team. We each bring our own unique flair and love for paper crafting – and seeing everyone’s ideas come to life is one of the most inspiring parts of being in this community.

You may be starting here or have popped on from someone else’s blog. Either way there is a list of all the Design Team members at the end of this post. Just click on the next blog link to help you move around all the different blogs. You will find lots of inspiration for your crafting. We have our country listed by our names. So if you are looking for a demonstrator, we would love to look after you, with your Stampin’ Up!® shopping or if you would like to join our fun Stampin’ Up!® communities.

And if you’re based in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, or the Netherlands and are looking for a Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator, I’d be thrilled to support you. Whether it’s help with supplies, ideas, or joining our fun Stampin’ Up!® family, I’m here for you.

A Cosy, Nature-Inspired Cracker

This cracker is crafted from a single sheet of Stampin’ Up!’s 12×12 two-tone paper in Old Olive, which provides a warm, nature-inspired base. The depth of the colour instantly evokes those classic woodland greens we so often associate with Christmastime.

To complement it, I added panels from the Elegant Pines Designer Series Paper, choosing the design with the Old Olive salt-effect finish. Its softly speckled texture brings a frosted, wintry quality that pairs beautifully with the tonal Old Olive backdrop

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To decorate the top, I turned to the Branching Out Bundle. The stamped pine imagery layers beautifully with the DSP, adding depth and a lovely woodland detail. I incorporated touches of Gold Foil for a hint of festive shimmer, enhancing the greens with a gentle glow.

For the finishing touches, I brought in some striped Gold Mesh ribbon, tying soft bows at each end of the cracker. This adds just the right amount of sparkle while keeping the look natural and elegant.

Finally, the cracker is adorned with the sentiment:
“To a very special someone / From our family to yours,”
which brings a heartfelt and traditional note to the finished piece.

Perfect for Christmas Giving

Christmas crackers have a wonderful way of transforming even the smallest of gifts into something thoughtful and memorable. Whether you tuck inside a chocolate, a keepsake, or a handwritten message, the presentation makes the moment feel special.

Here, the combination of Old Olive tones, soft textures, gleaming gold accents, and the delicate pine imagery from the Branching Out Bundle creates a cracker that feels both elegant and warmly handmade — the perfect addition to a festive table or a beautifully wrapped gift.

Sneak Peeks Galore!

We’ve also got a sneak preview of all the tutorial projects – there’s something for everyone, from simple to advanced projects and everything in between.

You will receive this tutorial as a thank you from me if you place a qualifying order this monthor you can purchase it for £10.

Sneak Peak

Here is a better view of my Cute Nutcracker boxes. I can’t wait to share with you the secrets to making this project.

Want to Join In?

If you’re living in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, or the Netherlands and don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I’d absolutely love to support you.

Whether you need crafty inspiration, a catalogue, or help ordering Stampin’ Up! products, I’m here for you. Feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch via email

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Creativity Abounds Blog Hop Participants

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I know you’re going to be blown away by the stunning projects shared in this hop. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment – your kind words truly make our day. 💬

Thanks for looking

Stamping Hugs

Sara