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.
Joe & Seph’s Giant Popcorn Christmas Cracker
What: Looking for a quirky centrepiece for your festive tablescape? Check out this giant cracker from posh popcorn purveyors Joe & Seph. Snap it open to discover a haul of six bags of salted caramel flavour popcorn, as well as six gold paper crowns and six, ahem, corny jokes.
How much: £19.80
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Hot Chocolate Bombes Cracker
What: While this cracker might not be the most practical choice for the Christmas table, it would make for a cute festive gift for a friend or a nice addition to a Christmas Eve box. Inside, you’ll find melting chocolate bombes made from 100% Belgian chocolate and filled with mini marshmallows - simply place the bombe into a large mug and pour over hot milk to watch the magic happen.
How much: £14.95 per cracker
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Hotel Chocolat Table Cracker
What: These crackers from the famous chocolatier swap out the traditional mini gift for three festive figures made entirely of chocolate - will you get the milk chocolate penguin, the dark chocolate reindeer or the white chocolate Christmas tree? You’ll have to pull a cracker to find out!
How much: £5 each or three for £12
Buy it: Hotel Chocolat Table Cracker
Fortnum’s Piccadilly Crackers
What: Presented in the signature Fortnum’s colours, these crackers each contain a recipe from the store's own cookbook, as well as a mini utensil to use while you cook. Expect to find the likes of a rice pudding with strawberry jam recipe paired with a nutmeg grater.
How much: £60
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Hotel Chocolat Mini Christmas Crackers
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. They come in packs of 10, so there is likely to be enough for everyone at the table, as well as a few spares.
How much: £17
Buy it: Hotel Chocolat
Best alcohol Christmas crackers
Get into the festive spirit with...well...actual spirits, explore our pick of alcohol Christmas crackers.
Snow globe gin Christmas crackers
What? Fans of the M&S snow globe gin are guaranteed to love these gin Christmas crackers containing miniature flavoured gin liqueurs in the shape of festive baubles, tonic water and paper hats.
How much? £40
Buy it: Marks & Spencer
Moet & Chandon mini Champagne cracker
What? Christmas will certainly get off to a cracking start if the day begins with a champagne Christmas cracker. This luxury festive treat comes complete with a 20cl bottle of Moët & Chandon Moët Impérial Mini Champagne and - of course - a luxury cream and gold Christmas hat.
How much? £20
Buy it: John Lewis
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.
Rainbow Bowling Crackers
What: Looking for a way to keep the kids entertained at the Christmas table? Check out these bowling crackers, which are shaped like bowling pins and conceal a miniature bowling alley and pins to play with - at least 30 minutes of fun guaranteed.
How much: £18
Buy it: Selfridges
Penguin Racing Crackers
What: To bring some extra fun to your Christmas table this year, purchase these Penguin Racing Crackers. Each one comes with a paper crown, a motto and a penguin to race - a nice prelude to the annual Christmas family board games.
How much: £26
Buy it: Selfridges
Race to the North Pole Crackers
What: These crackers are stylish enough to suit a grown-up Christmas table, but also provide entertainment if you have little ones in tow. Inside each one, you will find a paper hat, a motto and a miniature Santa to race - just remember to let the kids win.
How much: £26
Buy it: Selfridges
Pastel Swirl Xylophone Crackers
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: £32
Buy it: Selfridges
Magic Crackers
What: Before the annual game of charades, you can entertain the kids with these magic crackers, which come complete with magic tricks and instructions. Little ones will love performing the tricks for you, so be sure to practise your best ‘wow!’ face.
How much: £18
Buy it: Selfridges
Best luxury Christmas crackers
If you take your tablescaping seriously, only the chicest of Christmas crackers will do. Check out our pick of some ultra-stylish, luxury options below which are sure to make your guests Christmas tree green with envy.
Nutcracker Christmas Crackers
What? Bring the magic of the ballet to your dinner table this Christmas with the Harrods Nutcracker crackers. This set of six beautifully crafted crackers comes complete with stylish etched wooden characters from the much-loved festive favourite.
How much? £24
Buy it: Harrods
Fortnum’s Emerald Christmas Crackers
What: These gorgeous emerald crackers will add drama to any Christmas tablescape and the contents will delight guests too; inside, you will find the likes of silver-plated sugar tongs or a Fortnum’s Champagne stopper.
How much: £295
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Santa Christmas Crackers
What: The jolly smile of Santa Claus himself is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face this Christmas, making these red crackers the perfect addition to any festive tablescape.
How much: £35
Buy it: Selfridges
London Christmas Crackers
What: Pay homage to England’s capital with these fun and chic crackers, which depict London staples including beefeaters and double decker buses. Inside, you’ll find a paper crown and a wooden or metal gift to enjoy.
How much: £48
Buy it: Selfridges
Nutcracker Christmas Crackers
What: The Nutcracker is a staple of the festive season and we can’t think of many chicer ways to complete your Christmas table than with these stylish crackers. Pull them open at the dinner table to discover a paper crown and a surprise gift.
How much: £48
Buy it: Selfridges
Luxury Penguin Christmas Crackers
What: If you’re planning on turning your table into a winter wonderland this Christmas, these adorable penguin crackers will make a wonderful addition. Inside, you will find miniature gifts to enjoy, as well as a paper crown and a classic joke.
How much: £29.50
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Luxury Rudolph Crackers
What: Depicting Rudolph on their front, but managing to not look gimmicky, we are in love with these luxury crackers. Inside you will find a selection of plastic-free gifts and the box is recyclable too.
How much: £29.50
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Fortnum’s Golden Christmas Crackers
What: Black and gold is a luxe colour scheme that never goes out of style, as proven by these stylish crackers. Inside each one is a paper crown, a classic joke and a special gift, such as miniature pots of marmalade and loose leaf tea.
How much: £175
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
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.
Lakeland Make Your Own Christmas Crackers
What: Get crafty this Christmas with these make your own crackers from Lakeland. The beautiful design of the crackers is taken care of, so all that is left for you to do is make them and fill them with your favourite treats.
How much: £4.99
Buy it: Lakeland
Lakeland Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers
What: These pretty fill-your-own crackers from Lakeland come with snaps, jokes and paper crowns, but there is also enough room to add in your own miniature gift or message, so that you can personalise your Christmas crackers to each guest.
How much: £14.99
Buy it: Lakeland
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
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. You can also personalise them to each guest, by filling the cracker with your favourite sweet treats or miniature trinkets.
How much: £14.95
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Scandi Reusable Christmas Cracker
What: Available in ivory cotton or natural linen, these reusable fabric crackers feature traditional motifs such as a Christmas tree, reindeer or jingle bells. As they are made from reusable materials, there is no need to throw them away, so you can bring them out again year after year.
How much: £12.50
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Best unusual Christmas crackers
Looking for Christmas crackers with a difference? Take a look at our favourite unique festive crackers.
Flamingo Party Crackers
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 it: Not on the Highstreet
‘Here's To A Wonderful Christmas’ Crackers
What: These handmade crackers are finished off with red ribbon and each bare the message 'here's to a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year'. Inside, each one contains a shimmering gold foil crown, as well as a joke and a miniature gift.
How much: £39.60
Buy it: Not on the Hightstreet
Fortnum’s Christmas Honey Crackers
What: These honey-hued crackers pay homage to the hardworking bees found atop Fortnum & Mason’s flagship Piccadilly store. Each cracker contains luxury honey-themed gifts, including honey gin, truffle honey and honey scented candles.
How much: £575
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Once you’ve bought this year’s crackers, check out our pick of the best 2021 advent calendars for foodies.