Christmas was famously billed as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ by old-time crooner Andy Williams back in the 1960s and it’s fair to say that there can be a lot of pressure during the build up to Christmas to make sure that the big day goes off without a hitch. While the fun and laughter will come from the family or friends that you are spending the day with, there are certain elements of Christmas planning that you need to get right in order to make sure the big day is one to remember. Once you have finished scouring all of the Christmas markets for new baubles and handmade decorations and you have made up your mind about which choc-filled advent calendar you will be indulging in this year, it will be time to sort the Christmas crackers for your table.
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Christmas crackers can really transform any tablescape, adding to the festivities with their fun and seasonal design. What is inside them is just as important too, with many crackers these days filled with snacks, alcoholic miniatures and even luxury gifts. If you are worried about sourcing the perfect crackers for your Christmas table, have no fear, because there are tonnes of crackers to choose from online, ranging from ones filled with delicious goodies to those that have been specifically designed for your pets to enjoy.
If you find all of the choices available a little overwhelming though, let us be your guide. Check out our pick of the best Christmas crackers below, which we have categorised into different themed sections, so you can jump straight to the section that is tailor-made for you. Once you have settled on a set of gorgeous Christmas crackers, you will be one step closer to the perfect Christmas - now you just have to worry about cooking the turkey.
- Best Christmas crackers for foodies
- Best alcohol Christmas crackers
- Best Christmas crackers for families
- Best luxury Christmas crackers
- Best fill your own Christmas crackers
- Best reusable and eco-friendly Christmas crackers
- Best unusual Christmas crackers
- Best Christmas crackers for your pet
Christmas crackers for foodies
Everybody knows that Christmas is all about good food and drink, so why not extend that to your table decorations? These Christmas crackers are either designed with fun food patterns or feature actual food and drink inside as gift, and we can’t get enough.
Christmas Day breakfast crackers
Start Christmas morning as you mean to go on - with plenty of celebration and indulgence. These adorable ‘breakfast’ crackers are completely plastic free and contain tiny pots of jam and marmalade to get your morning off to a seasonal start.
How much?£35 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Joe & Seph’s Giant Popcorn Christmas Cracker
Looking for a quirky centrepiece for your festive tablescape? Check out this giant cracker from posh popcorn purveyors Joe & Seph. Snap it open to discover a haul of six bags of salted caramel flavour popcorn, as well as six gold paper crowns and six, ahem, corny jokes.
How much: £16 each
Buy it:Joe and Seph's
Hot Chocolate Bombes Cracker
While this cracker might not be the most practical choice for the Christmas table, it would make for a cute festive gift for a friend or a nice addition to a Christmas Eve box. Inside, you’ll find melting chocolate bombes made from 100% Belgian chocolate and filled with mini marshmallows - simply place the bombe into a large mug and pour over hot milk to watch the magic happen.
How much: £19.95 each
Buy it:Not on the Highstreet
Hotel Chocolat Table Cracker
These crackers from the famous chocolatier swap out the traditional mini gift for three festive figures made entirely of chocolate - will you get the milk chocolate penguin, the dark chocolate reindeer or the white chocolate Christmas tree? You’ll have to pull a cracker to find out!
How much: £5 each or three for £12
Buy it: Hotel Chocolat Table Cracker
Fortnum’s Piccadilly Crackers
Presented in the signature Fortnum’s colours, these crackers each contain a recipe from the store's own cookbook, as well as a mini utensil to use while you cook. Expect to find the likes of a rice pudding with strawberry jam recipe paired with a nutmeg grater, or Fortnum's treasured shortbread recipe teamed with a cookie cutter.
How much: £60 for six
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Hotel Chocolat Mini Christmas Crackers
If the chocolate inside your advent calendar simply isn’t enough then these mini crackers from Hotel Chocolat will give you your sugar fix. Each cracker contains a delicious chocolatey treat inside. They come in packs of 10, so there is likely to be enough for everyone at the table, as well as a few spares that you might want to keep for yourself.
How much: £18 for ten
Buy it: Hotel Chocolat
Best alcohol Christmas crackers
Get into the festive spirit with...well...actual spirits, explore our pick of alcohol Christmas crackers.
Fever-Tree Christmas crackers
Available exclusively at John Lewis, Fever-Tree have launched a glam range of Christmas crackers with a host of flavoured tonics paired with some of the UK’s best spirits. Choices include Tarquin’s Cornish gin paired with Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean tonic, Edinburgh Christmas gin teamed with Clemintine tonic and a host of other fun flavours to get you in the Christmas spirit.
How much? £8.50 each
Buy it: John Lewis
Rum and gin filled crackers
For a Christmas cracker that feels extra special - these beautifully designed crackers from Innovatus Drinks are available to buy from Not on the Highstreet. Choose from the gin cracker containing a miniature bottle of Horse Guards London Dry Gin and mixer or if rum is more your thing then opt for one filled with Wing Walker rum.
How much? £8.99 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Gin-filled Christmas cracker
Add some luxe to your festive table with these gin-filled crackers - available in pink and navy. The pink cracker is home to a miniature bottle of pink gin (of course!), while the navy cracker encases a triple distilled spice gin. These stylish treats would make beautiful table favours or could be the perfect stocking filler for your loved ones.
How much? £9.95
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Best Christmas crackers for families
If your Christmas table is usually surrounded by little ones who just want to get through dinner so they can open the rest of their presents, these family-friendly Christmas crackers will be sure to keep them entertained.
Rainbow Bowling Crackers
Looking for a way to keep the kids entertained at the Christmas table? Check out these bowling crackers, which are shaped like bowling pins and conceal a miniature bowling alley and pins to play with - at least 30 minutes of fun guaranteed before asking for snacks resumes!
How much: £20 for six
Buy it: Selfridges
Personalised elf Christmas crackers
Ensure each member of your family feels extra special with a personalised elf Christmas cracker. These fun and colourful crackers come in three different designs and can be personalised with an engraved name tag.
How much? £35 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Penguin Racing Crackers
To bring some extra fun and friendly competition to your Christmas table this year, purchase these Penguin Racing Crackers. Each one comes with a paper crown, a motto and a penguin to race - a nice prelude to the annual Christmas family board games.
How much: £25 for six
Buy it: Selfridges
Jingle bells table crackers
Ensure your Christmas crackers are fun for all the family with this selection of music table treats. Each cracker contains a hat, a joke and a jingle bell game that can be kept and played for years to come.
How much? £40.50 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Best luxury Christmas crackers
If you take your tablescaping seriously, only the chicest of Christmas crackers will do. Check out our pick of some ultra-stylish, luxury options below which are sure to make your guests Christmas tree green with envy.
Nutcracker Christmas Crackers
Bring the magic of the ballet to your dinner table this Christmas with the Harrods Nutcracker crackers. This set of six beautifully crafted crackers comes complete with stylish etched wooden characters from the much-loved festive favourite.
How much? £24 for six
Buy it: Harrods
Fortnum’s Emerald Christmas Crackers
These gorgeous emerald crackers will add drama to any Christmas tablescape and come beautifully presented in a traditional Fortnum's presentation box. The contents will delight guests too; inside, you will find the likes of silver-plated sugar tongs or a Fortnum’s Champagne stopper.
How much: £295 for six
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Luxury Rudolph Crackers
Depicting Rudolph on their front, but managing to not look gimmicky, we are in love with these luxury crackers. Inside you will find a selection of plastic-free gifts and the box is recyclable too.
How much: £29.95 for six
Buy it:Not on the Highstreet
London Christmas Crackers
What: Pay homage to England’s capital with these fun and chic crackers, which depict London staples including black cabs, Big Ben and Beefeaters. Inside, you’ll find a paper crown and a wooden or metal gift to enjoy. Gifts include mini graters, keyrings and honey dippers.
How much: £54 for six
Buy it:Selfridges
Luxury Penguin Christmas Crackers
If you’re planning on turning your table into a winter wonderland this Christmas, these adorable penguin crackers from Nancy & Betty will make a wonderful addition. Inside, you will find miniature gifts to enjoy, as well as a paper crown and a classic joke.
How much: £26 for six
Buy it:Nancy & Betty
Best fill your own Christmas crackers
If you’re a crafty type, why not have a go at creating your own bespoke Christmas crackers for you and your family? These fill your own options are a fun way to personalise your Christmas Day, and you could even get the kids involved with helping you make them.
Personalised kraft crackers
These personalised Christmas crackers come printed on Kraft paper. These crackers arrive flat, complete with a hat, a snap and decorative ribbon, all you need to do is assemble and fill with your chosen goodies.
How much? £6 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Lakeland Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers
Get crafty this Christmas with these oversized fill your own crackers from Lakeland. The beautiful design of the crackers is taken care of, so all that is left for you to do is add the finishing touches and fill them with your favourite treats.
How much: £14.99 for six
Buy it:Lakeland
Best reusable and eco-friendly Christmas crackers
If you’re wary of your carbon footprint this Christmas, check out these options which are a little kinder to the planet, including fabric crackers which can be used year after year and ones which you can easily recycle.
Reusable napkin crackers
For an eco-friendly cracker option that is not only better for the environment but also practical, these stylish reusable crackers can be used as napkins once opened. Available in nordic grey or Christmas berry, they are a chic addition to any festive table.
How much?£32 for four
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Woodland Reusable Crackers
Although these crackers don’t ‘snap’ (you untie them instead), they make up for it with their cute woodland design and can be reused again and again. You can also personalise them to each guest, by filling the cracker with your favourite sweet treats or miniature trinkets.
How much: £14.95 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Best unusualChristmas crackers
Looking for Christmas crackers with a difference? Take a look at our favourite unique festive crackers.
Christmas tree shaped crackers
Add some fun to your festive table with these crackers that don’t actually look like crackers. These adorable trees can be personalised with wooden name tags and each one contains a joke, a party hat and a reusable glitter star brooch.
How much? £35 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Flamingo party crackers
These fun flamingo-print crackers are ideal if you are taking a step away from the traditional Christmas-style for your tablescape and want something quirky and fun. These tropical crackers are available in six different colours so you can match them to your decor. When ordering you can choose your own filling, pick from origami, mini seed envelopes, temporary tattoos and table football.
How much: £37 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
‘Here's To A Wonderful Christmas’ crackers
These handmade crackers are finished off with red ribbon and each bare the message 'here's to a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year'. Inside, each one contains a shimmering gold foil crown, as well as a traditional 'cracker joke' and a miniature gift that promises to be carefully considered and eco-friendly.
How much: £37 for six
Buy it:Not on the Hightstreet
Best Christmas crackers for your pet
Show your furry friend some love with one of these Christmas crackers designed specifically for pets.
Dog eco cracker
Esure your most loyal pal doesn’t feel neglected on Christmas morning with this adorable cracker from Graham & Green. Made from recycled paper, this cracker comes complete with a noise-free bang (no...we're not too sure what that means either), a joke for you and a treat for them.
How much? £6.95 each
Buy it: Graham & Green
The cat’s Christmas cracker
Your feline friend will be delighted to know that the cracker for cats is of course from Fortnum & Mason. This decadent boxed cracker comes with a joke, a paper crown and a felt toy and will surely please even the fussiest of felines.
How much? £15 each
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Once you’ve bought this year’s crackers, check out our pick of the best 2022 advent calendars for foodies.
FAQs
What are luxury Christmas crackers? ›
These luxury reusable crackers are made of silk and linen and are designed to be used year after year. They are left empty, so you can put gifts of your choice inside. Pleasingly, the hats are also made from material so are a great counterpoint to the traditional.
What is inside a Harrods Christmas cracker? ›Harrods of London – Dress Circle Christmas Crackers
Take the traditional route with Dress Circle Harrods' crackers containing prizes such as a tape measure, magnifying glass, compact mirror, star placeholder, sparkly pen and mini harmonica.
Priced at $4.9 million a set, a $1,200 donation will also be made to The Prince's Trust. For more information, click here. The world's first diamond Christmas crackers set, also by VeryFirstTo, feature six magnificent white diamonds selected by award winning jeweler Tresor Paris.
What are English Christmas crackers? ›Christmas crackers are festive table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open, and often contain a small gift, paper hat and a joke. They are part of Christmas celebrations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
What can I put in adult Christmas crackers? ›- A funny memory of one your guests. ...
- A little map of the world and a pencil. ...
- A personalised keyring. ...
- Thoughtful details. ...
- A mini-challenge. ...
- Add chocolates and a trinket or two. ...
- A personalised Christmas ornament. ...
- Makeup or mini perfumes.
The paper crown tradition can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who wore festive headgear to celebrate Saturnalia, a festival that took place around the winter solstice. The paper crowns are often brightly colored and ill-fitting—but you still have to wear yours, no matter what. It's tradition!
Do Christmas crackers expire? ›Properly stored, an unopened package of crackers will generally stay at best quality for about 6 to 9 months.
How do you make Christmas crackers? ›DIY EASY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS | 25 DIYs Of Christmas DAY 20
What is the most expensive cracker? ›No, it's not gold-plated, but it is one of the few surviving food artifacts from the Titanic. And this week at auction, a collector from Greece purchased the Spillers & Bakers Pilot cracker for the hefty sum of $23,000.
What is the best selling cracker? ›What do you put on top of crackers? ›
- HUMMUS AND VEGGIES. Spread on 1 teaspoon of hummus. ...
- AVOCADO AND MANGO. Spread on 2 teaspoons of mashed avocado. ...
- LOX, YOGURT, AND CUCUMBER. Spread on tablespoon of low-fat Greek yogurt. ...
- SMASHED BLACK BEANS AND SALSA. ...
- RICOTTA CHEESE AND OLIVES. ...
- GOAT CHEESE AND WATERCRESS. ...
- TOMATO AND HERBS. ...
- EGG SALAD.
- Herb Crackers. Serve brie cheese with homemade herb crackers. ...
- Melba. Melba crackers have a crunchy texture and neutral flavor, making it an appropriate cracker for brie. ...
- Sesame Crackers. The nuttiness of sesame crackers will complement brie cheese. ...
- Multigrain.
The result? An explosive bang caused by a tiny amount of gunpowder lining the inside. It's no surprise, then, that the beloved Christmas cracker has been deemed a security risk when it comes to air travel these days.
What do Brits call crackers? ›In British English, crackers are sometimes called water biscuits, or savory biscuits.
Does America have Christmas crackers? ›If you're from the US, you might think Christmas crackers sound like something that belongs on a cheese board, but they're actually another UK holiday tradition.
What can you put in reusable crackers? ›- Miniature spirit bottles; perfect size for inside and for an after dinner tipple.
- Miniature perfumes or aftershave.
- Jewellery; earrings, necklace or an engagement ring for a special proposal.
- A gift certificate or gift card.
- Scratchcards.
- Seeds.
Place a toilet-roll tube on the long edge of your paper, in the centre, and hold it in place with some sticky tape. Thread a cracker snap through the toilet roll and tape it down to one side of the paper. Roll the tube across the paper, then secure with 3 bits of tape along the seam, in the centre and ends.
What do Americans traditionally eat for Christmas dinner? ›Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.
What do British do on Christmas Day? ›Many Christians will go to church to sing carols and to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. More people attend the church on this day than any other day of the year. People put on their best clothes to go to church. The whole family sit down for Christmas dinner at mid-day.
How do you pull a cracker? ›Crackers are usually shared between two individuals, one pulling on each end. With the ends firmly gripped, the cracker is slowly pulled apart using steady pressure and a twisting motion. This will usually tear the cracker open along one of the gathers and activate the “cracker snap” producing a small **BANG**.
What crackers have the longest shelf life? ›
Pilot bread crackers – a type of hardtack – are great for long-term food storage. They are advertised as having a shelf life of up to 30 years, but hardtack itself has been known to last much longer than that. Hardtack is a plain, dense biscuit or cracker made of flour, water, and salt.
What can you do with expired crackers? ›How to re-crisp chips, crackers, and crispy snacks. Spread out in a single layer on a sheet pan, mist lightly with water or flick a little water on top with your fingers and bake in a 350° oven for 6-10 minutes. Let cool, and they should have re-crisped!
How do you store crackers long-term? ›- Mylar Bags + Oxygen Absorbers + Bucket. This is by far the best way to store crackers long-term. ...
- Mason Jars + Oxygen Absorbers. ...
- Vacuum-Sealed Jars. ...
- Vacuum Sealed Bags. ...
- Original Packaging + Airtight Plastic Containers. ...
- Dry Canning.
The Cost: Less Than 50 Cents Per Batch
These crackers are ridiculously cheap. A huge batch costs less than 50 cents. Compare that to an average box of crackers in the grocery store, which almost always costs more than $4.00.
Cool for several minutes before eating; the crackers will become crispier as they cool. Storage: Store the crackers in a sealable container for up to 1 week, but leave the lid ajar / loose. This keeps the crackers crispy! If you'd like them crispier after a few days, bake at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Can you make Christmas crackers without cracker snaps? ›You can make a cracker without a snap, but it won't be authentic and it won't be nearly as fun, so I highly recommend them. You'll want to wrap your cracker with a decorative paper. The best thing to use is a thin gift wrapping paper, which will tear easily.
What should I put in my Christmas crackers? ›- A funny memory of one your guests. ...
- A little map of the world and a pencil. ...
- A personalised keyring. ...
- Thoughtful details. ...
- A mini-challenge. ...
- Add chocolates and a trinket or two. ...
- A personalised Christmas ornament. ...
- Makeup or mini perfumes.
...
Navigation.
| v • d • e Christmas event rewards | |
|---|---|
| Partyhats | Yellow Green Red White Purple Blue Black Rainbow |
| Santa hats | Regular Black Inverted Wise Old Man's |
DIY EASY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS | 25 DIYs Of Christmas DAY 20
Is it cheaper to make your own crackers? ›The Cost: Less Than 50 Cents Per Batch
These crackers are ridiculously cheap. A huge batch costs less than 50 cents. Compare that to an average box of crackers in the grocery store, which almost always costs more than $4.00.
How do you make a giant Christmas cracker? ›
Giant Christmas Cracker - YouTube
What can you put in reusable crackers? ›- Miniature spirit bottles; perfect size for inside and for an after dinner tipple.
- Miniature perfumes or aftershave.
- Jewellery; earrings, necklace or an engagement ring for a special proposal.
- A gift certificate or gift card.
- Scratchcards.
- Seeds.
Crackers can be pulled by using them on another player. It's important to note that the owner of the cracker is not guaranteed to be the one to obtain the items. If an Iron Man attempts to open a cracker it will display the message "You are an Iron Man. You stand alone."
How much is a Christmas cracker in rs3? ›| Christmas cracker | |
|---|---|
| Destroy | Drop |
| Values | |
| Value | 1 coin |
| High alch | 1 coin |
| Santa hat | |
|---|---|
| Value | 160 coins |
| High alch | 96 coins |
| Low alch | 64 coins |
| Weight | 0.113 kg |
Cool for several minutes before eating; the crackers will become crispier as they cool. Storage: Store the crackers in a sealable container for up to 1 week, but leave the lid ajar / loose. This keeps the crackers crispy! If you'd like them crispier after a few days, bake at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Can you make Christmas crackers without cracker snaps? ›You can make a cracker without a snap, but it won't be authentic and it won't be nearly as fun, so I highly recommend them. You'll want to wrap your cracker with a decorative paper. The best thing to use is a thin gift wrapping paper, which will tear easily.
Who invented crackers Christmas? ›The Christmas cracker was invented by London-based confectioner and baker Tom Smith (1823 – 1869) who set up shop in Goswell Road, Clerkenwell in the 1840s. Smith initially produced wedding cakes and sweets. On a trip to Paris he discovered the French 'bon bon', a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper.