The trinkets that emerge from Christmas crackers are always festive, yes, but they’re generally not particularly useful – unless you’re considering entering the mini slinky world cup that is.
So if you’ve collected one too many paper crowns and still haven’t got many laughs from the jovial jokes of Christmas cracker’s past, we advise you make the very exciting switch to beauty bonbons, because let’s be real: a bottle opener keychain is handy, but a mini lipstick still comes out on top.
We’ve rounded up the very best of the bonbon bunch – and trust us; they’re all absolute crackers (pun most certainly intended).
Gift them as stocking stuffers or add them to your Christmas table for a little touch of luxury – you’ll probably even end up with a few extra goodies depending on your dad’s moisturiser preferences.
Beauty Christmas Crackers
OPI Nail Lacquer Bon Bon Duo
Party season is here, so shaking hands and spirit fingers are definitely on the cards. Get your party fingers ready with this OPI bon bon. File those jagged edges away and polish up with a pretty pastel pink (a perfect neutral really) and top it all off with a glossy lick of top coat.
Want to read more? Read OPI Reviews here…
$32.95 at Myer
Circa Mini Candle Bon Bon Trio Set
Okay hands up, is a candle everyone’s fave go-to gift? Yep, because who doesn’t want to get a glorious candle? This trio of terrific scents will have your family members fighting over which fragrance they want more: sweet gingerbread, tropical mango and papaya or earthy amber and sandalwood. Take your pick and guard it from your family.
Want to read more? Read Circa Reviews here…
$45 at Oz Hair and Beauty
Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom Christmas Bon Bon
Glorious Glasshouse, truly nailing the Christmas aesthetic with their stunning packaging. This cracker will transport you to the calming setting of in-bloom Kyoto, housing fresh floral scents backed with a woody sweetness. Enjoy layering said stunning scent when you pull open the bon bon to reveal a mini body lotion and eau de parfum.
Want to read more? Read Glasshouse Reviews here…
$19.95 at Adore Beauty
The Body Shop Hug & Squeeze Hand Balm Crackers
This set gives you five hydrating options to choose from (or fight over, as your family might). The iconic Body Shop hand balms are all fair trade created with deeply hydrating ingredients. You’ll see your hands get a long-lasting boost of much-needed moisture with these on the table.
Want to read more? Read The Body Shop Reviews here…
$45 at The Body Shop
L’Occitane Deluxe Almond Cracker
Now if this cracker somehow ended up going missing before Christmas, we promise we wouldn’t tell. The luxurious cracker contains three products from the classic almond range: the delectably skin-softening shower oil, the soothing, smoothing hand cream and a bath cube guaranteed to create a spa-like ritual.
$39 at Adore Beauty
ECOYA Holiday: Guava & Lychee Sorbet Hand Cream Bon Bon
As much as we might crank the AC and pretend that Christmas is a winter wonderland, the reality is, we’re in Australia and it is hot outside. So instead of winter ‘warming’ scents, Ecoya’s bon bon is filled with a stunning summer fruity hand cream. Because hand health is important year-round, people.
$14.95 at Ecoya
Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Bon Bon
The best gift to give this hot holiday season? The gift of sun protection. Of course we’re spending plenty of time out and about during summer, but friends don’t let friends go out without applying sunscreen (following the directions of course). Easily chuck this mistable SPF in your go bag for on-the-go sunscreen top-ups.
$39.95 at Naked Sundays
philosophy snow angel shower gel ornament
This creamy ornament is here to bring shower-time joy. With a fruity, sugary musk fragrance, the oh-so-gentle mini can be used as a shower cleanser or even as a fun addition to the bath for a foaming bubble bath.
$19 at Adore Beauty
By Terry Opulent Star Stunning Eyes Cracker
So this stunning cracker might not be a winner with the whole Christmas table. But we can assure you that the makeup lovers among the table will be ecstatic. Create a shimmering bronzey smokey eye with a quick swipe of creamy shadow stick goodness, then complete the look with a volumising, lengthening coat of mascara.
$67.32 at Cult Beauty
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum & Sheet Mask Bon Bon Duo
Sure beauty bon bons are so much fun; you end up getting a gift you actually want and you get to discover new fun products. But what if we told you that it gets even better? This L’Oréal cracker is packed with full-sized products. Yep, no skimping here. Enjoy a rejuvenating sheet mask along with the iconic best selling Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Glowing skin into the new year? A big yes from us.
Want to read more? Read L’Oreal Reviews here…
$29.99 at Adore Beauty
Palm Beach Collection Fir & Cedarwood Room Mist Bon Bon
This fun luxe cracker will have Christmas Day smelling like a festive forest, thanks to the mini room mist gift inside. And of course the bright mint coloured crackers will fit in perfectly with a ‘winter’ themed Christmas table.
$14.95 at Myer
Pure Fiji Skincare Cracker
In the Christmas season, everything should be shining and bright, including our skin. So get boosted brightened skin with the power of vitamin C. This stunning fragrant yet skin-loving cracker will be the best travel-sized gift to give this Christmas.
$23.50 at She Shwarz
ELEVEN Bon Bon with Miracle Minis
‘Tis the season of miracles. First the baby born in a manger, and then Eleven’s miracle hair treatment range. This small but mighty duo will give you a taster of the wonders to come when you splurge on the full-sized range. The divine-smelling liquids work to treat damaged hair, strengthening strands and lengthening locks as they work.
$15.90 at Beauty Works
What would you like to see fly from your Christmas Cracker? Will any of these festive bon bons make your table?
Would definitely love getting one of these Christmas crackers, how cool.
I do like them, especially the candles one
These make such a colourful picture all together.
These are some really great gift ideas. What beats a wrapped present – a present in a bon bon. Cutest idea. I might be referring to this list more than once!
Yes the are packaged beautifully
These are so nice and would be lovely for a secret Santa gift
That is a very good point. I didn’t look at the prices.
Great ideas for all budgets.
Love these!
Years (and years!) ago I went to an outlet sale and there were Clarins crackers for sale. These were proper ones and contained a miniature sample of some of their products. I’m not sure what the original price was but I think I paid $1 for a pack of 5!
what a deal!
Sounds like you got a bargain then and I wonder if that would ever happen now?
I’d like most of these. Very cute and fun.
loved this article and very useful ideas too – now which one (or three) to buy?!
Oh I love these so much!
The mini candles are cute
Those are amazing!
I love crackers with great things in them
I bought some Haighs crackers, well my husband did when he travelled to Adelaide
I would love to receive any one of these for Christmas.
I would love these bon bons under my tree.
These look gorgeous and festive.
They look like fun!
These would be great at a Girls Xmas Lunch, the males in my life would be unimpressed receiving most of these
These are so cool!
BodyShop’s handcreams or Glasshouse ones for me please
I’d gladly accept any of these bons bons
They’re not very budget friendly for a family, though
Any one of these Christmas crackers would be a lovely gift.
very nice ideas here really
I love these ideas.
Oh wow some really cool bon bons loccitane
Id love the L’Occitane on my table *
Great idea for work Kris Kringle!
I received a trio of Circa candles, but different to the set pictured.