Christmas Crackers

Christmas crackers are festive cardboard tubes wrapped to look like oversized candy. Two people pull each end and it pops apart to reveal a paper crown, a small toy or trinket, and often a joke or riddle inside. Pulling crackers before the meal is a classic holiday tradition enjoyed around the world.

Place one cracker at each setting, on the plate or beside it. Before the meal, each guest crosses arms and pulls their cracker with the people on either side so the whole table pops at once. Then everyone wears the paper crown inside through dinner.

Most Christmas crackers hold a paper crown to wear, a small toy, trinket, or treat, and a slip of paper with a joke or fun fact. Nicer crackers may include keepsake gifts. The surprise is part of the fun, so no one knows exactly what they will get.