What’s With Christmas Crackers?
Are Christmas Crackers Always Used?
Christmas crackers have a Victorian beginning to their origins. After visiting Paris in the 1840s, London
pastry maker Tom Smith developed the original notion for crackers. The French had a Christmas
tradition of wrapping candies and sugared almonds in colored paper that was twisted. Smith dubbed
them ‘Kiss Mottos’ and included a love message. He eventually figured out how to pop the cracker.
Crackers are often party favours for all kinds of special occasions and are regularly given out in the
United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth nations.
They are constructed out of a cylinder of wrapped and ornamented cardboard. The combined crackers resemble twisted candies, such as Tootsie Rolls. With their arms crossed, two people tug and twist on opposite ends of the cracker until there is a pop or bang from a small snap. Each cracker has a paper crown, motto—riddle or joke, and a small present. The real fun comes from sharing the jokes and riddles around the table during a festive meal,
traditionally around Christmastime!
Christmas crackers can be purchased in stores and online. They can also be homemade with kits or
created from household items, usually recycled or thrown out. This blog delves into how to make
crackers by hand and where to buy readymade options. This week’s post also includes a brief discussion
about alternatives to crackers.
Christmas Crackers from Kits
The Cracker Company of the United Kingdom offers a wide assortment of cracker kits, contents, specialty ribbons, and ties. Customers can choose from patterned and plain wrapping themes. There are
also DIY personalised and eco-friendly cracker options. The kits start at £6.82 and go up from there. The site https://www.thecrackercompany.co.uk/collections/view-all-cracker-kits features 322 product offerings on six pages.
Christmas Crackers from Home Recyclables.
Craftmehappy.com presents a fun and straightforward step-by-step tutorial for making Christmas
crackers with supplies from home. One needs a collection of A3 and A4 card stock in a colour or pattern of choice, scissors, 7mm double-sided and heat-resistant clear tape, leftover toilet paper tubes, or even a small cracker biscuit can, 30cm+ cracker snaps (Amazon carries them), ribbon or string, small presents,
tissue paper or wrapping paper to make party hats, and a list of jokes, riddles, brain teasers, games or fun facts. The site’s author, Kathryn from Melton Mowbray, prefers terrible Christmas jokes. Her instructions include a printable template, visual aids, and filling ideas for Christmas crackers on budget.
For a complete reference, visit https://www.craftmehappy.com/2014/01/christmas-crackertutorial.html. Give it a try. Coworkers, friends, and family will be surprised with the thoughtful and
creative party favour at festive mealtime.
Readymade Options
Traditional premade Christmas crackers may be bought from local department and grocery stores in
packages containing two to six items. Generally, these readymade crackers are only available during the
holiday shopping season. However, if one is looking for something special, online retailers may be the
place to shop.
Dunelm’s premium Christmas crackers are beautifully and festively decorated, including a hat, motto,
and luxurious miniature gift. A six-pack starts at £5 and goes up to £12. Take a peek at
https://www.dunelm.com/category/christmas/christmas-decorations/christmas-crackers.
Meri Meri has a Nutcracker-themed set of Christmas crackers. These specialty crackers are based on the
main Nutcracker characters. Get a package of six crackers for £30. The company also has Father
Christmas and his reindeer-themed crackers and a large set of angel crackers. All options are great for
kids. Find inspiration at https://merimeri.co.uk/collections/christmas-crackers/products/nutcrackercharacter-medium-crackers-x-6.
Walnut Tree has a set of edible Christmas crackers. The company offers a six-pack of miniature crackers.
Each package is hand-packed with love for Great Britain. The size makes them ideal stocking stuffers or
tree decorations. The crackers set includes two filled with chocolate-covered nuts: one with chocolate
orange, one with nougat, one with nut brittle, and one with marzipan. The box is appropriate for vegan,
vegetarian, halal and gluten-free diets. Purchase at walnut.gifts for £40.
The Happy Hound Cracker by Fortnum & Mason is bang, boom-free, and perfect for that pampered
pooch. Make the dog feel included in the festivities with this single cracker for £25. Give the Purr-Fect
Cracker for the pretty kitty. This cracker is also boom and bang free and has a toy just right for the family
feline for £17.95. Order it online at https://www.fortnumandmason.com/the-happy-hound-cracker and
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/the-purr-fect-cracker.
Festive Alternatives
While Christmas crackers are a British staple, some people don’t use them for holiday festivities.
Alternative ideas should be considered for guests of all kinds. Personalised gifts may be the better way
to meet party favour needs for an evening. Eco-friendly, reusable gifts or waste-free items might be
ideal. Consider diaries, wine glasses, jewellery, photo frames, tree decorations, cocoa or coffee mugs,
small bottles of champagne, wine, or prosecco.
Give a small stuffed animal or notebook. Amazon.co.uk and Etsy carry many of their items for personalization. Chocolate is always an excellent choice. Walnut Tree’s Orange in Dark Chocolate is packaged in gold scrolls by its Hertfordshire factory. This product is a gift of luxury and originality as a festive alternative to a Christmas cracker. Check out this £10 option at https://walnut.gifts/product/orange-chocolate/.
The winter holidays aren’t here yet, but they are approaching quickly. Christmas crackers have a deep
history throughout the UK. Crackers are traditionally a party favour but are also useful as stock stuffers
and tree décor. Opening crackers is a fun and quirky activity. Christmas cracker fillings can be luxurious
or inexpensive. Purchasers have the option to purchase readymade crackers or make their own. Local
stores and online retailers offer a wide selection for adults, kids, and even pets. Prices vary.
When planning a party, it is always wise to consider a guest’s preferences when selecting party favours. It may
be necessary to choose alternate festive presents.
About Walnut Tree- the finest edible gifts
Great Taste Awards
With Great Taste Awards for nougat, dried fruit, marron glacé, glacé fruit and pate de fruit. You’ll always be purchasing quality products from Walnut Tree.
Who we supply
Supplied under own brand or white label to prestigious stores, palaces, castles, stately homes, garden centres, delicatessens, farm shops, hamper companies, department stores and gift shops.
Why buy from us?
You’re buying directly from the source and will get excellent value for money. If you’re not happy with your purchase, we’ll refund or replace it. The website is open 24/7, orders despatched within 48 hours.
Our charitable contributions
Walnut Tree supports Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity with dried fruit for their care packages. www.futuredreams.org.uk
Local areas to our factory
AL1 | AL2 | AL3 | AL9 | AL10 | EN6 | EN5 | EN4 | NW4 | NW7 | NW9 | WD6 | WD7 | WD17 | | WD19 | WD23 | WD24 | WD25 | Aldenham | Barnet | Borehamwood | Brent X | Bushey | Colney Street | Edgware | Elstree | Finchley | Frogmore | Hatfield | Hendon | Hertfordshire | Hertsmere | Leavesden | London Colney | Mill Hill | New Barnet | North London | Potters Bar | Radlett | Shenley | South Mimms | Stanmore | St. Albans | Southgate | Watford | Welham Green | Whetstone | Woodside Park