The holiday season is the perfect time to start a new tradition. Why not borrow the British tradition of Christmas crackers to liven up your family dinner? Check out our super simple method that kids can easily follow!
Looking for a festive activity to do with your kids this year? Making your own Christmas crackers is easier than you might think, and it adds a lovely personal touch to your holiday table!
It was Tom Smith, an English confectioner, who invented these surprising decorations in 1847. Inspired by French sugared almonds (dragées) wrapped in pretty tissue paper, he began wrapping his candies the same way. Hoping to boost his sales, he came up with the idea of adding a tiny amount of silver fulminate to create a small popping sound when the wrapper is opened, imitating the crackle of a log in a fireplace. People loved it, and since then, the tradition has spread all over the world!
Traditionally, a Christmas cracker contained three things: a joke (not always a good one!) written on a slip of paper, a small trinket as a gift, and a paper crown.
Today, the tradition has evolved, and everyone can personalize their crackers however they like! Here are a few ideas for filling yours:
Christmas crackers are opened at the holiday dinner table, surrounded by loved ones. With your right hand, hold your own cracker, and with your left, hold the one belonging to the person beside you. Everyone then pulls at the same time, and whoever ends up with the larger piece of the cracker in their hand wins its contents. In practice, people often keep their own gift to avoid any squabbles. Feel free to set the rules before you start!
Check out our other resources and activities that are perfect for the holiday season.