Christmas crackers date back to Victorian London, when confectioner Tom Smith started wrapping sweets in decorative paper, similar to the French fashion for bonbons.
Then in the 1840s, he introduced a snapping mechanism, reportedly inspired by the crackle of a fire. Jokes and small novelty gifts were later added, completing a formula that has remained unchanged ever since. But the contents of Christmas crackers, thankfully, have evolved, because the traditional gift you find inside has never exactly been known for its usefulness. These days, there are plenty filled with things you might actually want to keep, from beauty treats to small keepsakes and even diamond jewelry.
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What are the best Christmas crackers?
To start, a good deluxe Christmas cracker should feel special from the moment you pick it up. The quality of the materials and the way it’s made matter, as does that all-important, satisfying snap when it’s pulled. The contents should add something to the occasion – a trivia question that gets everyone talking or a game for the group.
Look at the materials used, too. Are the crackers made from recyclable or responsibly sourced materials? Glitter-covered crackers, for example, may look festive and fun, but they tend to leave a messy trail across the table and are notoriously difficult to recycle.
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What’s inside Christmas crackers?
Traditionally, it's a paper crown, a joke on a small piece of paper, and a novelty, throwaway gift. But premium Christmas crackers are quite different – the gift inside is something you’d treasure; a piece of jewelry or something for your bar or dressing table. Asprey, for example, offers the option of filling crackers with sterling silver pieces, while Harrods has previously included an Aspinal of London card holder.
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What are the most expensive Christmas crackers?
The most extravagant Christmas cracker ever made came from luxury gift company VeryFirstTo, which has since ceased trading. The bespoke cracker set was valued at around $6.7m, with the contents including a Cartier diamond necklace, a Breguet watch, and keys to both an Aston Martin Vanquish and a Sunseeker yacht.
Fortnum and Mason
White Christmas Crackers (Set of 6)
These white Christmas crackers from Harrods are a simple, elegant choice for a minimalist festive table. Each contains a gold paper crown, a joke, trivia card, and one of six miniature gifts – a cookie cutter, thimble, sewing kit, screwdriver keyring, multitool, or metal tape measure.
Lamler
Velvet Refillable Christmas Crackers (Set of 4)
These velvet crackers from Lamler are designed to be used year after year. Sold as a set of four, they can be filled with your own gifts and personalized for each guest. The soft velvet finish and satin ribbon ties makes them look smart and sophisticated – choose from green and gold or red.
Fortnum and Mason
Festive Treats Crackers (Set of 6)
If the thought of finding yet another tiny plastic puzzle in your Christmas cracker fills you with dread, Fortnum & Mason has come to the rescue. Each of the six crackers in this set contains a selection of festive treats, including Marc de Champagne truffles, milk and dark chocolate Napolitains, shortbread, and an owl-shaped chocolate matchbox. There are still the party crowns and the obligatory jokes, so don’t worry: you won’t miss out on the familiar Christmas cracker theatrics.
Liberty of London
Lady Scented Candle Christmas Crackers Box (Set of 6)
These Liberty of London high-end Christmas crackers are hand-rolled in Cheshire in the UK in pretty illustrated paper, finished with red ribbon, and filled with a hand-poured candle – each one offering a different scent. This particular design is a lady, but there’s also baubles and robin versions available.
Harrods
Tartan Christmas Crackers (Set of 6)
There’s something about tartan that just works at Christmas, as demonstrated by these Harrods crackers. The classic pattern feels festive and traditional, so they’ll sit quite happily on a smartly dressed table. Inside, each cracker contains a cute kitchen-themed gift, from a mini whisk to a honey dipper and grater.
Fortnum and Mason
The Crackerdile Cracker
A showstopper of a cracker and made to look like a crocodile, this design contains a deck of ‘Snap’ cards for you to play with during the holiday season. Perfect for adults and children alike, it’ll add some festive fun to your Christmas table.
How we chose the best luxury Christmas crackers
Each item featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand reviews where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality and exceptional craftsmanship.
