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Christmas Crackers

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Christmas Crackers

A Christmas Cracker is a traditional 'must have' at any British dinner table on Christmas day and will help the day go with a BANG!

I decided to write about Christmas Crackers after hearing about a friend's experience outside of the UK, when it became apparent that other Nationalities (you know who you are!) didn't really know what to do with a cracker!

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What Is A Christmas Cracker?

Christmas crackers are an integral part of Christmas celebrations in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in other Commonwealth countries.

A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper, making it resemble an oversized sweet-wrapper.

The cracker is pulled at each end by two people, and, much in the manner of a wishbone, the cracker splits unevenly. The split is accompanied by a small bang produced by the effect of friction on a chemically impregnated card strip (similar to that used in a cap gun). Hence the 'cracker' part of the name.

In one version of the tradition the person with the larger portion of cracker empties the contents from the tube and keeps them. This is how we do it in our family.

In another each person will have their own cracker and will keep its contents regardless of whose end they were in.

Typically these contents are a coloured paper hat or crown; a small toy or other trinket and a motto, a joke or piece of trivia on a small strip of paper. Crackers are usually pulled after Christmas dinner.

Ready made crackers are typically sold in boxes of six or twelve. These typically have different designs usually with red, green and gold colours.

Making crackers from scratch using the tubes from used toilet rolls and tissue paper used to be a common activity for children, but unfortunately, this seems to be fading out.

Adapted from Wikipedia

Christmas Cracker Commercial

24studio Luxury Wind Up Christmas Crackers: by expressgifts | video info

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It is a running joke that all the jokes and mottos in crackers are not funny and unmemorable, along with being the same as those which have been used for many years past, resulting in most people either knowing or predicting the answers... and that adds to the charm of Christmas crackers.

Similarly, in most standard commercial products, the "gift" is equally awful, although things have changed in recent years and a much wider choice is now available.

Some people will make their own (typically from kits) and add inexpensive but personalised gifts.

Craft packs are now becoming popular.

Tom Smith Inventor Of The Christmas Cracker

Tom Smith

In early 1830, Tom Smith started work as a young boy in a bakers and ornamental confectioners shop in London. He sold sweets such as fondants, pralines and gum pastilles. He worked hard and took particular interest in the wedding cake ornaments and decorations.

He experimented and created new, more exciting and less crude designs in his spare time. Before long he was successful enough to start his own business in Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, East London.

Tom Smith was adventurous and forward thinking, often traveling abroad to search for new ideas. It was on a trip to Paris in 1840 that he first discovered the 'bon bon' -- a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper. It was a simple idea which, over the next 7 years, would eventually evolve into the Cracker.

It was the crackle of a log as he threw it on his fire that gave him the flash of inspiration which eventually led to the crackers we know today.

Information and image found on Tom Smith Christmas Crackers.com

How To Pull A Cracker!

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Christmas Cracker Traditions

In my family, Christmas crackers are placed on the dinner table and are pulled at the start of the meal.

Other famiies may pull theirs after the main course but before the dessert.

They can be placed on the dinner plate, at the side of the cutlery, or above the dinner plate by the dessert spoon. It varies from household to household, but all are acceptable.

You pull the cracker by offering one end to the person sat next to you... left or right of you, your choice. You both take hold of one end and PULL!! Some are very tough to pull and will take you by surprise.

The BANG of the cracker can be quite loud as it's pulled. The person left holding the main body of the cracker, gets to keep the contents.

You may find a keyring, earrings, even a false moustouche, which of course you'll be expected to try on! Usually, the cracker contains a cheap trinket but you can buy luxury crackers that can contain more expensive gifts.

There will also be a paper hat, maybe foil, that you will be required to wear for the remainder of the meal. Depending on how much Christmas spirit is consumed, you may find you're still wearing the hat at bedtime!

There will also be a joke or motto, which you'll be expected to read aloud for everyone to hear... and groan at.

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Christmas Cracker Mottos

The mottos in Christmas crackers are some of the corniest jokes you will ever find.

Everyone moans and groans as they are read out but there is always laughter too... even though you may have heard the joke every Christmas since you were a child!

But would Christmas be the same without them? No!

I found this example at The English Blog

Two Little Girls Pull a Christmas Cracker

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Other Cracking Ideas

Crackers come in all styles, colours and to suit all pockets.

You may like some aimed at children decorated with Thomas the Tank Engine or maybe Barbie. Whatever you can think of, you'll probably find a cracker to suit.

If you have a colour theme for your room or table, you'll also find crackers to compliment your arrangements.

If you're giving cash for Christmas, you can fold and tuck a note into the middle of a cracker as a more novel way of giving rather than in an envelope.

Mini crackers are popular as tree decorations too.

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Make Your Own Christmas Crackers!

It's also quite popular to make your own, personalised gifts.

My Mother once did this and put a small black undergarment in my cracker. My husband was delighted, but my children were not amused!!!

This site shows you how to do it;

Old English Crackers.com

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These are great lenses with information about Christmas Crafts and activities for children over the Christmas Holidays. I hope you have time to visit them.

Are You Familiar With Christmas Crackers?

Do Christmas Crackers form part of your family Christmas celebration? Would Christmas not be the same without them? Or is the first you have heard of them? Do they sound like a good idea to add something new to your Christmas traditions? Please let me know...

Are Christmas Crackers a tradition in your family?

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Absolutely! It wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Jolene_Belmain says:

We have them every year... last year I had planned on making them but it didn't happen, this year, I have it all planned out and just need to sit and make them... it'll be EPIC!!! I am going to but a ring in my fiance's cracker (the one I will use at our wedding to marry him with)... can't wait... so excited :)

Posted December 14, 2011

WebWriteGirl says:

Absolutely! I think I might try making them this year.

Posted November 28, 2011

nancycarol says:

I've known about them for some time, but they've not been a tradition in our family. I love Christmas Crackers! I think it's a fun tradition and should be spread all over the world.

Posted November 15, 2011

Showpup says:

I'm in the middle here. I've heard of them but I've never had one. Sounds like I've been missing out on a lot of fun!

Posted November 03, 2011

says:

This is still part of our tradition in Canada. It's always such fun for the children.

Posted February 28, 2009

jesse says:

yas they are

Posted January 12, 2009

rsmith17 says:

I just started using Crackers at the dinner table a couple of years ago. We open them before the meal. It's a lot of fun and the grandchildren love it!

Posted December 10, 2008

dannystaple says:

We have had them for years, in fact, our mother insisted that the jokes were read and the hat was worn! My Chinese wife enjoys the tradition with our Christmas meal in London now.

Posted December 05, 2008

alteredkat says:

I LOVE the Christmas Cracker!

Posted December 02, 2008

AndyPo says:

My other half is Russian and had never seen them, so before our first Christmas together I bought a big box of them gave her one with every meal leading up to the big day - a kind of training class in British etiquette.

Posted December 01, 2008

I hadn't heard of them, but I love new traditions.

mihgasper says:

Sounds like good fun!

Posted January 08, 2012

veryirie says:

Love to hear of other holiday traditions.

Posted November 29, 2011

Sara_Valor says:

I've never heard of this, it is a lovely idea and Christmas tradition. Thanks for sharing this info with us. Happy holidays!

Posted November 27, 2011

Rudy145 says:

Bring on the crackers.

Posted November 25, 2011

Heather426 says:

I actually thought Christmas Crackers would be something you eat:)so I guess you could say I was clueless:)

Posted November 15, 2011

katemiya says:

I was expected to find a recipe in here. Does that answer your question? :)

Posted November 14, 2011

scarlettohairy says:

This sounds like a great tradition!

Posted October 17, 2011

YayasHome says:

I've seen Christmas Crackers, but I never really knew what they were for. I always wondered if there was any real purpose, other than using 'em for decoration. I am seriously thinking this is a good way to help our long-distance family re-connect at a time of the year when we are NEVER able to get together. Thanks for sharing an' giving me a new an' special way to remind those I love how great it is to be a part of a loving family.

Posted October 08, 2011

Camden says:

I've seen them when I lived in England, but I always came back to the states for the holidays, so I've never actually used them.

Posted October 02, 2010

Vacation-In-My-Head says:

This is the 1st time that I have heard of them. But they do sound like they would be a great part of a Christmas tradition.

Posted February 06, 2009

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Christmas Crackers