A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in colorful, twisted paper, resembling an oversized candy wrapper. To open it, two people each pull on an end. This action creates friction on an internal chemically-impregnated strip (a "snap") which produces a small, exciting bang.
What is inside a Christmas cracker?
Inside each cracker, you will traditionally find three items:
A paper hat: A colorful, tissue-paper crown that participants are expected to wear during Christmas dinner. The tradition of wearing festive hats may date back to Roman Saturnalia celebrations.
A joke or motto: A small strip of paper with a joke, riddle, or piece of trivia, typically known for being cheesy or groan-worthy.
A small gift or trinket: A small novelty item or toy, such as a miniature plastic comb, a wine glass charm, or a small puzzle. Modern, more expensive crackers might contain higher-quality items.
Origin and Tradition
Christmas crackers were invented in London around 1847 by confectioner Tom Smith, who was inspired by French bonbons (sugared almonds in twisted paper wrappers). He added a love motto to the wrapper and, later, the "snap" effect after hearing a log crackle in a fireplace. His sons later added the paper hats and replaced love messages with jokes, establishing the form that is a firm part of the British Christmas tradition today.