Christmas Crackers – A Victorian Tradition
“Snap, crackle, pop” might have been popular in Victorian England – and not with a bowl of cereal. During the Victorian era, Christmas Crackers made that sound and were a popular gift item at gatherings. Even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared them with their nine children.
Christmas Crackers all began with Tom Smith of London in 1847. He first used a twisted sheet of patterned paper to wrap his sugared almonds. When sales slipped, he began finding new ways to promote his candy and his business. His first idea was to include a romantic note.
When the note didn’t increase sales, Smith enlarged the size to a paper tube so it could hold something larger inside. Then wrapped it in festive paper fitting for the occasion This new improved cracker was launched for sale under the name “Bangs of Expectation.”
Two people would hold the cracker and snap it, the “snap” being produced by the silver fulminate inside. The paper would “crackle “and out would “pop” a piece of candy, a trinket, fans, jewelry, and a piece of paper with an amusing joke or riddle.
What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?
Tinselitis!
What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?
The elf-abet!
His sons carried on the business after Tom died in 1869, never to see the real success of his cracker. His three sons – Thomas, Henry, and Walter – added a tissue paper crown to the cracker. This became a Christmas tradition in England, and when the tube broke apart, the person holding the longest end got to keep all the contents. The paper hats inside took the appearance of crowns, and were then worn at Christmas dinner. You had to wear your crown!
Crackers were often used as table decorations but also present at Victorian teas with special ones made for the Queen’s family. It was even rumored that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her Christmas lunch while wearing one of Smith’s crepe-paper crowns. Tom Smith, Ltd. still holds the Royal Warrant as Supplier of Christmas Crackers to the Royal Family.
In 2022, Tom Smith celebrated the 175th anniversary of the invention of Christmas Crackers. Today, they make approximately 17,000,000 Christmas Crackers a year. The Christmas tradition continues!
Maybe you would like to add a little “Snap, crackle, pop” to your Christmas by starting the Christmas cracker tradition with your family. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the little riddle inside as you place the crown on your head.
What’s a parent’s favorite Christmas carol?
Silent Night!
Gypsy Road Trip 