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It’s a long-running Christmas tradition to pull Christmas crackers at the dinner table, and share the typically-awful jokes, wear the ill-fitting flimsy hat and marvel at the cheap plastic ‘prize’ you hold in your hand, because really, you can’t have enough moustache combs, can you? So where and when did this frankly bizarre custom originate? Join me as we ‘crack’ open the story of the Christmas cracker… The inventor of crackers is credited to be Thomas J Smith of London, a struggling bonbon seller aiming to bring back some excitement to his sweets, which were sold within a twisted piece of paper – he later chose to include the snap; however this meant increasing the size of the wrapper. With the increased size, the sweet was just left out and replaced with a gift and a motto – thus, the Christmas cracker was born! The craze was quick to catch on, and it was Smith’s son, Walter, who included modern elements such as the paper hat, elegant designs and toy-like prize. Christmas crackers have become popular in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and are available in a number of prices; anywhere from the budget range of 6 for £1 to £10,000 for a single cracker! Fair enough, that particular cracker is solid gold and the ‘prize’ is 5 22-carat gold coins – not one you’re likely going to see at the dinner table anytime soon. Jokes are always a point of contention in my household, mainly due to just how awful they are; these are just a few highlights of Christmas’ past – I apologise in advance: Why didn’t the skeleton go to the dance? He had no body to go with. What is Santa's favourite pizza? One that's deep pan, crisp and even. Why was Santa's little helper feeling depressed? He had low elf-esteem. All groaners there, so I’m sorry for that, but that’s the general feeling of Christmas day – always good for breaking up tensions after the inevitable Christmas argument or entertaining the family whilst Dad is asleep from too much turkey and brandy. Finally, there’s the most important for everyone – the toy; be it a tiny pack of cards, an oddly-useful screwdriver set, some ghastly picture frame or just a thing (usually metal, to confuse you even more), is always what everyone is pulling the cracker for. When I was younger, I would sneak into the dining room and weigh the cracker in my hand to ensure I got the heaviest prize, because in my mind that meant it was obviously the best one! So, this Christmas, whether you’ve opted for luxury crackers with all the bells and whistles (sometimes literally!), spare a thought for the cracker and it’s 150 year legacy… then pull it, shower the contents everywhere and hastily bin it before the dog eats it. Happy Christmas! Save yourself some money with wholesale Christmas crackers and wholesale Christmas decorations to ensure that you have a wonderful Christmas full of cheer and festivity. Save yourself some money with wholesale Christmas crackers and wholesale Christmas decorations to ensure that you have a wonderful Christmas full of cheer and festivity.
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