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.
Christmas Day breakfast crackers
Start Christmas morning as you mean to go on - with plenty of celebration and indulgence. These adorable ‘breakfast’ crackers are completely plastic free and contain tiny pots of jam and marmalade to get your morning off to a seasonal start.
How much? £45 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Joe & Seph’s Giant Popcorn Christmas Cracker
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: £16 each
Buy it: Joe and Steph's giant festive cracker
Hot Chocolate Bombes Cracker
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: £19.95 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Hotel Chocolat Table Cracker
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 Celestial Crackers
Brand new for 2024, these majestic 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 cinnamon and orange biscuit recipe paired with a cookie cutter, or Fortnum's iced recipe teamed with a cocktail stirrer.
How much: £65 for six
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Hotel Chocolat Mini Christmas Crackers
If the chocolate inside your advent calendar simply isn’t enough then these mini crackers from Hotel Chocolat will give you your sugar fix. Each cracker contains 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 that you might want to keep for yourself.
How much: £18 for ten
Buy it: Hotel Chocolat
Best alcohol Christmas crackers
Get into the festive spirit with...well...actual spirits, explore our pick of alcohol Christmas crackers.
Fever-Tree Christmas crackers
Available exclusively at John Lewis, Fever-Tree have launched a glam range of Christmas crackers with a host of flavoured tonics paired with some of the UK’s best spirits. Choices include Tarquin’s Cornish gin paired with Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean tonic, Edinburgh Christmas gin teamed with Clemintine tonic and a host of other fun flavours to get you in the Christmas spirit.
How much? £8.50 each
Buy it: John Lewis
Bloody Bens gin filled crackers
For a Christmas cracker that feels extra special - these cute and quirky crackers from Bloody Bens are available to buy from Not on the Highstreet. These mini gin cracker contain a miniature bottle of the brand's pink or signature award winning gin along with a classic joke.
How much? £8.99 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
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.
Elf Christmas crackers
These fun and colourful crackers from Nancy & Betty come in festive red and green and we think their cute little faces could even bring a smile to Scroodge. These crackers are fully recyclable, plastic-free and for ever box purchased the company plants one tree.
How much? £26 for six
Buy it: Nancy & Betty
Jingle bells table crackers
Ensure your Christmas crackers are fun for all the family with this selection of music table treats. Each cracker contains a hat, a joke and a jingle bell game that can be kept and played for years to come.
How much? £40.50 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
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
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 for six
Buy it: Harrods
Fortnum’s Winter Green Christmas Crackers
These gorgeous green crackers will add depth to any Christmas tablescape and come beautifully presented in a traditional Fortnum's presentation box. The contents will delight guests too; inside, you will find the likes of silver-plated sugar tongs, tea towels and even a Fortnum’s Champagne stopper.
How much: £295 for six
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Luxury Rudolph Crackers
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: £29.95 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
London Christmas Crackers
What: Pay homage to England’s capital with these fun and chic crackers, which depict London staples including black cabs, Big Ben and Beefeaters. Inside, you’ll find a paper crown and a wooden or metal gift to enjoy. Gifts include mini graters, keyrings and honey dippers.
How much: £39.95 for six
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
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.
Personalised kraft crackers
These personalised Christmas crackers come printed on Kraft paper. These crackers arrive flat, complete with a hat, a snap and decorative ribbon, all you need to do is assemble and fill with your chosen goodies.
How much? £6 each
Buy it: Not on the Highstreet
Lakeland Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers
Get crafty this Christmas with these oversized fill 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 add the finishing touches and fill them with your favourite treats.
How much: £14.99 for six
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
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: £16.95 each
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.
Christmas tree shaped crackers
Add some fun to your festive table with these crackers that don’t actually look like crackers. These adorable trees contain a joke, a party hat and a reusable glitter star brooch.
How much? £30 for six
Buy it: Meri Meri
Best Christmas crackers for your pet
Show your furry friend some love with one of these Christmas crackers designed specifically for pets.
Cat eco cracker
Esure your most loyal pal doesn’t feel neglected on Christmas morning with this adorable cracker from Graham & Green - with a dog version and a cat version available. Made from recycled paper, this cracker comes complete with a noise-free bang (no...we're not too sure what that means either), a joke for you and a treat for them.
How much? £6.95 each
Buy it: Graham & Green
Fornum's Kitty-Cat Cracker
Your furry friend will be delighted to know that the cracker for cats is - of course - from Fortnum & Mason. This decadent boxed cracker comes with a joke, a paper crown and a felt toy and will surely please even the fussiest of felines.
How much? £25 each
Buy it: Fortnum & Mason
Once you’ve bought this year’s crackers, check out our pick of the best 2024 advent calendars for foodies.