I’m not sure how we got onto Christmas crackers, but we did. I didn’t know a thing about them, until about 5 years ago. Now they are a part of our family traditions.
So what is a Christmas cracker? They originated in the UK around 1845. A candy maker by the name of Tom Smith. He liked the idea of bon bons like he had seen in France which are candies wrapped in pretty papers. He decided to try the same approach in the UK and he even added a joke to the candy, but they were a big fat dud. As he heard the fire nearby crackling, he decided they would be even more awesome if they made a crack sound when they were opened. His son Walter introduced the paper hats to the crackers, and also added a small gift. It is ironic that the ‘crack’ sound was added to the candy to make it sell more, and not Christmas crackers don’t have candy in them any more.
I put one on each person’s plate, then after the meal, we take turns opening our crackers. You pull on each end, and as one end detaches, you’ll hear a popping sound.
Inside you’ll find your hat, a joke, and a gift.
The prize in this cracker was a small set of playing cards.
We have fun putting our silly hats on and read the jokes. Evie is pretending hers is funny.
The jokes are notoriously bad. For example this was the joke in Evie’s cracker.
What did Cinderella say when her photos didn’t arrive on time?
Some day my prints will come.
See what I mean? They are pretty bad.
Remember my giveaway is still going strong!! The rules can be found here.
I found a fun selection of Christmas crackers for you. There is a big range in prices. They start at about $13 and go up from there. (I included Christmas crackers at many different price points so you could see how the price impacts the prizes. At any price, they’re a fun addition to any Christmas celebration.
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I’ve always wondered what crackers are as well- thank you for the explanation! I may add these to our family tradition too- I’ll have to look on pinterest for a home made version. It would be fun to put a more personalized gift inside – especially for the toddler grandchildren.
Anita, crackers have been part of our Christmas Eve traditions for about 30 years or more. Our family has always had Steak fondue and oyster stew by candlelight , which has always been special in itself. The fondue started with my family when I was young. My husband was so impressed with the fondue when we were dating, So, after our children were born we added the crackers. We pop them before the meal, read the little jokes, have a good laugh and then we all have to wear our paper hats during the meal. This makes for some fun photos and memories. This tradition has continued with our two grandsons for years now. They are 19 and 14.
Love the Crackers and your Blog! Merry Christmas and Happy 2017!’
So glad to receive all the Crackers info today, I appreciate knowing the history of their origin.
How fun this sounds…..
I love laughter any time…
good job Evie… I like your crown
sounds like a fun tradition to start, never to late.. Right??
Thanks
I’ve never known what they were! Thank you for posting!
Anita, we’ve been loving Christmas crackers for decades. They just start off Christmas dinner with laughter and silliness. We wear our crowns all thru dinner and laugh at the jokes and swap the little gifts. Our children grew up with this tradition and now our grandchildren love it, too.
How fun Sissy!
Thank you for sharing! I’ve always wondered the story behind them. I enjoy your blog!!! Merry Christmas
I didn’t grow up with crackers in Texas. My stepsister’s ancestors were English so she always has crackers when she hosts Christmas dinner and I’ve always enjoyed them. We usually all trade the little gifts with each other, so everyone gets what they prefer. ( Unless you get a really good one!)
XO Ginger
Crackers have been part of our cabin Christmas tradition for 20 years ; however I always make my own using toilet paper rolls and pretty wrapping paper and ribbon. That’s the only tacky part though. Inside I put a Lindt chocolate, a Bible verses chosen for each person as well as a tiny gift. (No hats!) The gifts can be inexpensive..my son used to collect hockey pins and my daughter loved China miniature dogs. As they grew older I would include special trinkets..even earrings or other small jewellery..perfume or lip gloss. Even those small bottles of liquer will fit in the roll. The snappers can be bought at a craft store. Maybe you will start a new tradition this year Anita and make your own! Merry Christmas! This year we have 2 baby granddaughters and are moving to a new cabin to accommodate our bigger family…I am having trouble with giving up my beautiful little log cabin where we have spent the last 20 Christmases! You can see pictures of it on my cabin sweet cabin board on pinterest!
cool idea
Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas Blessings
I love Christmas Crackers and include them in all my holiday dinners…beginning with Thanksgiving and Christmas and on to Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day….I know…perhaps a little overboard but they really are that fun. Thanks for the great selection ideas…I’ve had good success with Costco and Cost Plus. 🙂
That was a lot of good information. Thanks so much for sharing this Christmas tradition.
We have nut crackers too! They are so fun to find what’s waiting inside.
I make my own crackers every year. It’s become tradition. I started doing crackers when I was doing Christmas in a different country. I would choose a Country and then prepare a dinner what they would serve for Christmas and incorporate one of their traditions. The year I did an Ole English Christmas I discovered crackers and have continued the tradition. On year I did a Hawaiian Christmas and even researched what our names were in Hawaiian and used those names as our place cards. It was great fun.
Interestingly enough, I see them everywhere and never knew what they were. Love this post.
My mother is from England and I remember her fondly telling me about Christmas Crackers. Thanks for the links, I think I will purchase some and give them to her for Christmas.
I’ve always wondered about that Christmas cracker thing!!! ! Think it’s a cute idea. I’m going to use it this year!! Thanks for sharng
We grew up with Christmas Crackers, our grandma sent them from England. I still carry on the tradition with my 7 grandchildren. We open them after we say grace so we can wear the tissue paper hats while eating Christmas Dinner.
My family and I have never used the Christmas Crackers, but they do look like a lot of fun! I think it would be a nice treat for New Years Eve too!
Never heard of them until today! Thanks for enlightening me. I will check out the links to them.
Thank you for sharing the information! My family and I will be adding Christmas Crackers to our celebration this year. Looking forward to it!
I’ve seem crackers in stores and wondered about them. Thanks for the interesting backstory! I think these would be a fun addition to our family celebration.
Thanks for the “cracker” info 🙂 Evie is a beauty!!!!!!
Happiest of holidays to you and yours ?
AHA! I thought that everyone made their own crackers…. I never realized they were already made when you purchased them, I mean, that they were already filled. Very cool. Looks like a lot of fun!
I read a blog giving directions for making your own Christmas Crackers recently. Of course, I can’t remember whose blog it was! I thought they would be fun, though. And if you made your own you could pick the prizes that go in them. Sounds like a bit of work, though, now that I’m talking about it!
Thanks for supplying us a selection of crackers, Anita!
I do not recall the exact year we began incorporating the Christmas crackers, but we have been doing them 20 plus years. Now my children are grown, have spouses, and 16 grandchildren that all participate in the crazy “Bell House” tradition. As each new in law was indoctrinated they went through “what is this all about?” process but have come to love the fun and silliness of it. We celebrate together on Christmas Eve and open them prior to eating and enjoy each other’s crown color and how the couples come out with matching or uncoordinated colors. The grandkids enjoy the silly jokes, toys, games,, and items. A special memory we have created during our family holiday time.
I love it Jan. Thanks so much for sharing your traditions!
Greetings from a very dry and hot Cape Town, South Africa. Thank you for the explanation regarding the crackers. I sometimes make ours, without the “noise” as it frightens our dogs. Wishing you and your family a wonderful, peaceful and safe Christmas Season and all the best for 2017. I look forward to receiving more wonderful, inspiring posts in the new year.
Many blessings
Gerolene
Thanks so much for stopping in to say hi Gerolene. Happy Christmas to you too.
These types of things would be done if we think in own style and insert some creativity in it but thanks Anita for such a unique and great post.
I am going to take the kids to the store next week and pick out our Christmas crackers. I think they are going to love this tradition. I have seen some fun higher end crackers here in England, they are everywhere!
I bet you have tons of choices Amy!!! I know your Christmas is going to be a wonderful adventure.
I new they made a cracking sound but never knew they came with something inside. Sounds like this would be a great way to start a holiday season with good cheer. Only good talk and fun. Forget the serious talks on bad news or politics. Helps everyone laugh. Laughter is the best remedy. Thanks for the article.
My parents were British and we always had Christmas crackers, in fact I used to think everyone did! I think the real way to open them is that everyone sits around the table and crosses their arms, reaching to the person to the left and right, with a cracker in each hand. You must twist while you pull to get the popping sound while tearing the paper.
I am 68 and we always had Xmas crackers with our Christmas Dinner, coloured paper hats, jokes, and trinkets. I have them now and my grandchildren like the popping sound and of course the trinkets.
WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASONAL
TO ALL ???
You too Lynn!!!
Aww, we’ve never had a Christmas without them. I’m from England so it is a fun maker all of our grandchildren remember. Our two youngest grandsons asked if I had picked them up yet. I had. we have a Christmas photo with all of us wearing our silly hats and playing with the prizes in every Christmas dinner photo . Hugs.
Anita, I love that y’all have discovered crackers. Being Irish (we got the idea from the “Brits”), I have never experienced a Christmas without them. I guess we have a weird sense of humour (this is another thing I can’t get away from – adding that “u”…lol), because I laughed at the joke in Evie’s cracker. I thought it was very funny…lol.
I do love your blog and enjoy the many ideas you give for how to decorate rooms, etc. I’m awful, I decorate, as my husband says, anything that stands or sits still.
Take care.
Anita, I am new to your blog but thanks to Yvonne and her “scoop” I wandered on over. I am really glad you shared about these Christmas treasures.., I have been interested in these for years. I think I will see if I can find some locally for this year. I know it’s late but they look like fun and our table could use a little “pop” this year!!
Jamie, I’m so excited you are here!! Thanks for popping over. I love Yvonne, and any friend of hers is a friend of mine.
I had never heard of Christmas crackers but i.e. I want to start tat tradition. Thank you so much and have a Merry Christmas!
Always learn from your articles!
Merry Christmas to All! ?
i love reading your blog–very inspirational!!
I’ve seen crackers many times but didn’t quite understand the concept. I will definitely have crackers as a part of the festivities this year! Thanks so much for the informative post.
I have 4 boxes of Christmas crackers in my closet and I was going to donate to Good Will but after reading your blog about the history of them, etc. I am hanging on to them for one more Christmas season. Glad to know there is not any candy inside to get old, ha. I found them at Pier 1 on sale a few years ago. Thanks for this post about them. Merry Christmas!
I love this idea! I have a pattern/template to make some, but I think I’ll buy some this year and spend the coming year looking for goodies to fill the ones I make by hand next year. Thank you, as always for your great ideas!
We started using Christmas crackers a few years ago as our out of town DD and family come home after Christmas and I wanted a different tradition for our 2nd Christmas celebration. Crackers and “kid wine” sparkling grape juice are just the trick.
Have a beautiful Christmas!
What a fun tradition!
Merry Christmas!
Wow lots of readers hoping to win your excellent give-away. Would certainly be wonderful surprise to find out for somebody had won it.
Since I read several books from English authors for years and am good part English myself, have been having crackers at dinner when we go to our daughters home. Not as much fun with just hubs and I. Our grand daughters, 19 and 16 still seem to enjoy them. I make them myself, is fun putting them together, picking wrap for them. Even sent some to oldest son in San Diego for their dinner.
Fun topic and people learn something.
Merry Christmas
I have seen these in stores and on line before, but never in person…or used one! Looks like a fun addition to the holiday meal!
Merry Christmas! Kimberley
Wow, so many comments! Christmas crackers are a very strong tradition here in Australia. My only gripe is I wish they would sell them loose so I can buy the amount I need instead of being restricted to the amount in the boxes.
My girlfriend makes her own crackers every year. She searches for all kinds of things to put inside. They are fun and always beautiful.
Enjoy the season
Cindy
Introduced to them a few years ago by a friend we’ve come to love them. We bought the symphonic crackers – pack of eight. As well as the crowns and jokes, each person receives a musical whistle each in a different key. It comes with sheet music and a tiny baton for someone to conduct the band. So much fun. Thank you for the detail on the history!
I never knew what these were until 2 years ago when a couple in our small group Bible Study included them in our Christmas celebration. You can find very good deals on them at Marshall’s (budget) and very fancy, expensive ones at Williams Sonoma. I assume the price difference will show up in the quality of the gifts (although the expensive ones probably have jokes that are just as corny)! It’s a fun tradition now – I got some to share with my family this year.
Love the crackers. I have used them for years and I use them for other holidays as well. Our kids (all adults now) still love them. IT IS SO MUCH FUN……
I’m a Brit and it wouldn’t be Christmas without the crackers. However, they are pulled before the meal so that you can wear the hats through out the meal. As a family we like to make our own so we can write our own jokes.
Wow, it’s interesting to know that the very first Christmas crackers have candy in them. Perhaps I should recreate that so that I have treats to give to my nieces and nephews that will be visiting me later in the year during the holidays. I hope I can find a seller of custom Christmas crackers that I can put candies in.