By: Kathleen Harm | Published: August 30, 2024
Your Guide to Christmas Crackers
Crack open your new favorite holiday tradition! From family dinners to fêtes with friends, turn every event into an experience with Christmas crackers. Available in a variety of styles and themes, these beloved British crowd pleasers are sure to surprise and delight all season long. Learn all about the history, and get ready to add a touch of festive fun to all of your celebrations!
The History of Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers date all the way back to Victorian times. In 1840, Tom Smith, a London sweet maker, started selling sugared almonds with messages. Watching a log crackle on the fire, he was inspired to make a log-shaped package for his almonds that produced a surprise bang. As the crackers became a hit, paper crowns, small gifts and themed designs were added, turning the humble cracker into a festive must-have that’s now a beloved part of celebrations everywhere.
The Christmas Cracker Tradition
It's easy to take part in the Christmas cracker tradition: Place a cracker next to each plate on the dinner table. When the moment comes, typically before or during the meal, two people grab the ends of the cracker and pull, creating a festive bang. The person left holding the larger portion wins the surprise inside. The crowns are worn throughout the meal, adding a touch of whimsy and fun to the gathering. In some families, it’s customary to read the jokes aloud or compete for the best prize, sparking both friendly competition and lots of laughs! Whether it's the shared jokes, playful rivalry or cheerful atmosphere, Christmas crackers always bring an extra touch of magic to the celebration.
Your Christmas Cracker Destination
Start your Christmas cracker tradition today at World Market! Stuff stockings, make place settings, top gifts and trim your tree with our exclusive, handcrafted cracker selection full of designs and themes fit for every holiday feast and celebration. (Not to brag, but we’ve got the best assortment outside of the UK.) From classic Christmas styles to options for Thanksgiving, Easter and more, we’ve got everything you need to keep the fun going year-round.
Kathleen Harm, Home, Food & Lifestyle Expert
Kathleen is a World Market Copywriter and a master of whipping up compelling content for site and social media. She’s got over a decade of experience writing and testing recipes, along with experimenting with vegan and gluten-free cooking and baking. A lover of thrifting since middle school, Kathleen has lived in a series of small apartments and brought her unique maximalist style to all of them!
