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.
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.
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.
Gingerbread Men Christmas crackers (set of six)
What: The cutesy design of these gingerbread men crackers is sure to delight any younger family members, while the baking related gifts inside will come in handy for the grown-ups.
How much: £18
Buy the Gingerbread Men Christmas Crackers
Silent Pool Gin Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: These chic Christmas crackers are decked out in a teal and copper colour scheme and tied up with bows. Inside, you'll find a 5cl bottle of Silent Pool Gin, so you can enjoy a G&T with your Christmas dinner. All the usual paper crowns and jokes feature too.
How much: £50
Buy the Silent Pool Gin Christmas Crackers
Hotel Chocolat Mini Christmas Crackers (set of 10)
What: If the chocolate inside your advent calendar simply isn’t enough, try out these mini crackers which each contain a delicious chocolatey treat inside.
How much: £17
Buy the Hotel Chocolat Mini Christmas Crackers
Edinburgh Preserves Christmas Cracker (single cracker)
What: Pull open this giant cracker and inside you’ll find three Christmas Day essentials: a pot of chutney, a delicious relish and a jar of cranberry and port sauce.
How much: £12
Buy the Edinburgh Preserves Christmas Cracker
Santa’s Jam and Marmalade Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: If you love to make sandwiches with all of the Christmas leftovers, these crackers – which are filled with artisan jams and spreads – will surely come in handy.
How much: £25
Buy the Santa’s Jam and Marmalade Christmas Crackers
Midas Touch Crackers (set of six)
What: Got a spare £5k? Check out these luxury crackers from Fortnum’s, which each contain a ‘golden ticket’ for a luxury experience such as Fortnum’s afternoon tea.
How much: £5,000
Buy the Midas Touch Crackers
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.
ABC Xylophone Christmas Crackers (set of eight)
What: Each of these multi-coloured crackers contains a piece of a xylophone which you can build together with your family before having a go at reciting a Christmas carol or two.
How much: £25
Buy the ABC Xylophone Christmas Crackers
ABC Kazoo That Tune Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: This fun cracker set contains a Kazoo for each person and a song which they try and have to replicate at the table – bound to result in hours of laughs.
How much: £25
Buy ABC Kazoo That Tune Christmas Crackers
Personalised Baby’s First Christmas Cracker (single cracker)
What: Celebrating your child’s first ever Christmas? Make it one to remember with this personalised cracker, which features a mini paper hat and wooden rattle toy.
How much: £14.95
Buy the Personalised Baby’s First Christmas Cracker
Kuckoo Balloon Game Crackers (set of six)
What: Fancy yourself as a children’s entertainer? You can put your balloon modelling skills to the test with these fun and colourful crackers, which come with a pump to help you out.
How much: £15.95
Buy the Kuckoo Balloon Game Crackers
Musical Party Christmas Crackers (set of eight)
What: If you think of your family as the modern day Von Trapp’s, have a go at creating your own band with these musical crackers. Inside you’ll find whistles and a score sheet.
How much: £28
Buy the Musical Party Christmas Crackers
Balloon Modelling Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: A fun way to continue the festive cheer after you’ve finished eating, these crackers come equipped with balloon modelling kits to try your hand at.
How much: £28
Buy Balloon Modelling Christmas Crackers
Balloon Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: Add a pop (geddit?) of quirkiness to this year’s Christmas dinner with these balloon crackers. Once you’ve popped them, you’ll find paper crowns, jokes and cute badges inside.
How much: £22
Buy Balloon Christmas Crackers
Spec-U-Late Christmas Cracker Game (set of six)
What: Turn your Christmas cracker pulling into a game with these fun novelty crackers. Guess which famous name is resting on your glasses to win the game!
How much: £25
Buy Spec-U-Late Christmas Cracker Game
Best stylish Christmas crackers
If you take your tablescaping seriously, only the chicest of Christmas crackers will do. Check out our pick of some ultra-stylish options below which are sure to make your guests Christmas tree green with envy.
Mini Reindeer Crackers (set of six)
What: These cute brown paper crackers are adorned with orange pom poms and gold antlers, and are perfectly matched with a rustic or woodsy Christmas table theme.
How much: £24
Buy Mini Reindeer Crackers
Flamingo Party Crackers (set of six)
What: These gorgeous flamingo-print crackers are available in six different colours so you can match them to your table. They contain the likes of Christmas carols and chocolates.
How much: £39.60
Buy Flamingo Party Crackers
‘Here's To A Wonderful Christmas’ Crackers (set of six)
What: These handmade crackers are finished off with red ribbon and each contain a shimmering gold foil crown, as well as a joke and a miniature gift.
How much: £39.60
Buy ‘Here's To A Wonderful Christmas’ Crackers
Luxury Penguin Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: If you’re planning on turning your table into a winter wonderland this Christmas, these adorable penguin crackers will make a wonderful addition.
How much: £29.50
Buy Luxury Penguin Christmas Crackers
Luxury Rudolph Crackers (set of six)
What: Depicting Rudolph on their front, but managing to not look gimmicky, we’re in love with these luxury crackers. Inside you’ll find plastic-free gifts and the box is recyclable too.
How much: £29.50
Buy the Luxury Rudolph Crackers
Nutcracker Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: These Nutcrackers would make for a chic addition to any Christmas tablescape this festive season. Inside, expect to find the traditional paper hat, joke and surprise toy.
How much: £30
Buy the Nutcracker Christmas Crackers
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.
Xmas Script Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: These red and white crackers are printed with festive messages, and you can fill them up with your own gifts, jokes and treats.
How much: £8
Buy Xmas Script Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers
Holly & Pine Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: These cutesy crackers, which are decorated with a holly and pine print, are a great way to customise your Christmas. The pack of six should be more than enough for the family too.
How much: £8
Buy Holly & Pine Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers
Christmas Fill Your Own Christmas crackers (set of eight)
What: Looking for a cute, but stylish way to personalise your Christmas Day? These gold crackers are chic enough to fool your guests into thinking they’re not your own creation.
How much: £15
Buy the Christmas Fill Your Own Christmas crackers
Lakeland Fill Your Own Crackers (set of six)
What: If you want to personalise your crackers, but don’t have time to buy the fillings, grab this set instead. It comes with hats, ribbons and gift tags to save you some shopping hours.
How much: £12.99
Buy the Lakeland Fill Your Own Crackers
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.
Woodland Reusable Crackers (set of six)
What: 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.
How much: £14.95
Buy Woodland Reusable Crackers
Scandi Reusable Christmas Cracker (set of six)
What: Available in ivory cotton or natural linen, these reusable fabric crackers feature traditional motifs such as a Christmas tree, reindeer or jingle bells.
How much: £12.50
Buy Scandi Reusable Christmas Cracker
Recycled Snowflakes White Christmas Crackers (set of six)
What: These white crackers are dotted with red snowflakes, and are made of recycled paper. The box they come in is recyclable too, so you don’t need to worry too much about waste.
How much: £35
Buy Recycled Snowflakes White Christmas Crackers
Best pet Christmas crackers
Why should the human members of the family get to have all the fun at Christmas? If you want to spoil the beloved dog in your life, these Christmas crackers which are designed specifically for four-legged friends are sure to get their tails wagging.
Reindeers Dog Christmas cracker (single cracker)
What: Wondering how to keep your pup entertained during Christmas lunch? Give them these doggy treats, which are shaped like reindeer and packaged up as a cracker.
How much: £4
Buy the Reindeers Dog Christmas cracker
Pet Cartoon Christmas Cracker for Dogs (single cracker)
What: The paw-fect present for a doggie, this cracker comes with a cute cartoon dog printed on its front, as well as a rope toy treat which you furry pal is sure to fall in love with.
How much: £7.49
Buy the Pet Cartoon Christmas Cracker for Dogs
Luxury Christmas Cracker For Dogs (single cracker)
What: Dotted with paw prints, this luxury cracker for your pooch comes complete with a joke, a hat and handmade doggy festive-themed doggy treats.
How much: £12
Buy the Luxury Christmas Cracker For Dogs
Once you’ve bought this year’s crackers, check out our pick of the best 2020 advent calendars for foodies.