Christmas In July - Day 20 - Christmas Crackers

[frostythesnowman]

It was in 1847 when the christmas cracker was invented by Tom Smith....He got the inspiration from the bon bon sweets that he sold in a twist of paper...He got the idea of the crackle sound when he put a log on the fire and it inspired him to add a crackle element....The modern cracker we see today with the gifts,paper hats were all introduced by Tom Smith son Walter Smith....Christmas crackers are traditionally pulled at christmas dinner or at christmas parties...After pulling the cracker the paper hats we receive are usually worn at christmas dinner...

 

[jampss]

I have not had the opportunity to be around Christmas Crackers at a party. Once, grandma gave some to my kids many years ago. That was the first I had heard about them. I think I will look for them for this Christmas!!! Thanks for the fun information! Fascinating it was invented in the 1800’s!!

 

[Lori K]

Thank you for sharing this! I've always seen the packages o them in the stores, but never knew what they were or how they are used. Will have to get some this Christmas!

 

[frostythesnowman]

So happy you guys enjoyed reading about the history of christmas crackers...

 

[Ahorsesoul]

I have always thought this would be fun to try. Off to hunt for Christmas Crackers.

 

[frostythesnowman]

I have always thought this would be fun to try. Off to hunt for Christmas Crackers.

Christmas crackers has always been a tradition when serving christmas dinner.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

We always have crackers here. I cannot remember a Christmas where we have not had them.
Maybe it is more of an English tradition and many of Australia's traditions have their origins in England.
The crackers here generally contain a paper crown (which rarely fits), a joke and some sort of novelty.

In the past we have made our own crackers from toilet roll or paper towel tubes and paper. We have added a paper crown, mini Mars bars or other chocolate, a rolled up $$$ note or some other novelty. A great activity for the kids to do in the lead up to Christmas. A lot of the craft shops here have cracker kits too.

The crackers range in price from very cheap (although the prices like everything else are going up) to very beautiful and expensive.

 

[jampss]

I am watching a recorded Christmas movie on GAC channel and the royal prince just mentioned having the Christmas cracker with his pudding (What we Americans call … dessert!!!!)

 

[halimer]

Got crackers at a friend's Christmas last year.

Fun!

 

[Holiday_Mom]

Well, this was not all about the cheese and crackers at Christmas. LOL! Thanks for the background on an English tradition. I think I saw the English Christmas crackers on All Things Great and Small on PBS this past winter.