The History Behind English Christmas Crackers and the Paper Crowns Inside Them
While Christmas is celebrated all over the world, there are some differences in the way people in the the U.S. and the U.K. celebrate the holiday. Take dinner, for instance: A lot of Americans usually cook up a Christmas ham for dinner, but British holiday feasts usually have a turkey as the main course. Our friends across the pond also observe Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day), and get the day off of work, too. And of course there are differences in Christmas terms, such as Brits wishing each other a “Happy Christmas” and having “Father Christmas” deliver presents under their trees.
However, one of the most notable differences in celebrations is the inclusion of Christmas crackers during dinner in England. You might be familiar with scenes in Christmas movies where characters wear paper crowns at Christmas dinner, like in Bridget Jones’s Diary or even Harry Potter (although these are technically wizard crackers). These crowns are found in the festively designed Christmas crackers that decorate English holiday tables. If you’ve ever wondered about the history behind these Christmas crackers and the paper crowns inside them, we've got all the answers you're looking for.
What goes in a Christmas cracker?
Traditionally, Christmas crackers contain a small toy, a corny joke or riddle, and a paper crown. While these are often cheap items meant for fun, you can also get your hands on some luxury Christmas crackers. These sometimes expensive crackers can contain anything from perfume to whiskey, but often still contain the classic hat and joke. The jokes are a particularly important part as they absolutely must be ridiculous. Think dad jokes and groan-worthy Christmas puns.
How does a Christmas cracker work?
While you may have first thought of the crackers you eat, Christmas crackers actually got their name because of the sound they make when they’re pulled open. According to BBC America’s Fraser McAlpine, Christmas crackers are basically a cardboard tube that has a strip running along it with a tiny explosive charge. You and the person sitting next to you pull each end of the cracker until it pops open, making a small crack sound (hence the name). Whoever is holding the side still attached to the inner chamber gets all the goodies inside, according to Mashable.
Who invented Christmas crackers?
The Christmas cracker goes back to the Victorian era, when candy maker Tom Smith wanted to sell beautifully wrapped candies just like the French, according to the University of Leicester. He then developed the first version of Christmas crackers in the 1840s which he filled to the brim with colorful candies that spilled out when the cracker was opened.
Why do Christmas crackers have crowns?
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!
"Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same without the hats," one Reddit user wrote when commenting on the British tradition.
"They are popped before you eat dinner, so everyone has a hat to wear to look silly in the pictures," another added.
So if you're looking for a new Christmas tradition to add to your annual holiday festivities, it definitely seems like this one is a winner.
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