A cracker is a European Christmas staple that dates back to the 1800s and sparks immediate festive joy for everyone involved.
But while the act of pulling the crackers and reading out the terrible jokes add to the fun, the content can often be a massive let down.
So if you’re tired of safety pins, screwdriver sets and bowling kits, we may have the perfect antidote.
We have gathered an array of Christmas crackers that will not only look aesthetically pleasing when placed on your carefully curated table but will have the substance to match with covetable content that can be perfectly matched to the interests and taste of your guests.
With FeverTree’s gin and tonic cracker for fans of the classic cocktail combination and an ultra-luxurious £5,000 set from Fortnum & Mason, we have gathered the best Christmas crackers.
From the traditional and tasty booze and bite-filled options, to the lusted-over beauty favourites, these party pieces will ensure the gift giving fun continues past the big feast itself.
Paper hats still included.
Traditional Christmas Crackers
Personalised Christmas Crackers
Bring the personal touch with customisable crackers that double as name cards at your next Christmas feast. You can choose a colour, add names, and decide on the contents that range from family-friendly treats, to alcohol that will help you get into the festive spirit – literally. There is also the option to fill the seasonal staple with pet treats for your furry friend.
From £5 | Handmade Christmas Co | Buy it now
6 Eco Friendly 'Fill Your Own' Christmas Crackers
The Christmas cracker process can produce a fair amount of waste so if you are looking for ways to have a more sustainable festive period without sacrificing on the traditions, these are a great place to start. They are eco-friendly and fully recyclable. The fill-you-own crackers can be pulled open to reveal a personalised present.
£12.99 | Lakeland | Buy it now
Harrods of London Velvet Bow Christmas Crackers (Set of 6)
These stylish and festive crackers from Harrods will make a luxurious finishing touch to your table this Christmas. They are designed in a traditional colour palette with chic velvet bows.
£115 | Harrods | Buy it now
Waitrose Suede Ribbon Crackers (Set of 6)
Replace the typical clutter found in crackers with practical items housed within this set from Waitrose. Expect the likes of a corkscrew and fish & chip fork as well as more entertaining products like a harmonica or a mini pack of cards that you can use to get the whole family playing together after dinner. The crackers are designed in a festive and fun pattern with stylish red velvet bows.
£30 | Waitrose | Buy it now
Mini Christmas crackers - decorate your own crown
The ideal crackers for the children’s table, these options from Paperchase include a hat that they can decorate to keep them entertained throughout the meal. On top of your classic hat and joke, there are stickers that they can use to customise their crown.
£6 | Paperchase | Buy it now
Nancy & Betty Studio Father Christmas six luxury crackers
Ensure Santa really does come to town with these crackers designed to resemble the key Christmas player in all his red-hued glory. They are filled with unique gift ideas like marbles or an origami set.
From £35 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Food and Alcohol Christmas Crackers
Sainsbury’s Cheese and Crackers Christmas Cracker
This brand is sticking with the tradition of cheesy crackers – quite literally. Ilchester has created the first Christmas cracker featuring five mini oatcake crackers and a small selection of cheeses as well as a tiny jar of Tiptree Tomato Chutney. Designed by food blogger Annem Hobson and Norseland the cheese specialists, this cracker is the perfect finale to a festive meal.
£3 | Sainsbury’s | Buy from December 4
Charbonnel et Walker The Chorus Line Cracker Drum (Pack of 6)
These cartoon-adorned crackers open to reveal sweet treats that your will be sure to tickle the taste buds of your guests. Each one contains three truffles with sea salt caramel and praline sea salt flavouring.
£45 | Harrods | Buy it now
Rather Large Christmas Cracker
If you are looking for a show-stopping cracker, your search has ended. This Hotel Chocolat option contains a whopping 40 chocolates with 12 paper hats and jokes for the entire table to enjoy. The tasty offering includes the Simple Milk Truffle, Caramel Supernova and Christmas Mess pieces.
£36 | Hotel Chocolat | Buy it now
Fevertree Gin & Tonic Christmas Crackers, x4
Fever Tree has partnered up with some of the most popular gin brands on the market to create crackers that the G&T lover in your life will be happy to pull. Each contains crackers the star spirit with the complimentary tonic to match.
£32 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Midnight Gold Crackers
Not only do these elegant crackers look aesthetically pleasing but after the classic tug of war will reveal true gifting gold with treats from luxury department store Fortnum & Mason’s bestselling produce. From tea and marmalade, to Champagne stoppers and chocolate, these crackers will ensure the presents continue past December 25.
£175 | Fortnum & Mason | Buy it now
Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial champagne Christmas cracker 200ml
Toast to the big day with a mini bottle of bubbly revealed within this millennial pink-hued cracker. Moët & Chandon is giving your guests the chance to celebrate Christmas in the best way with the Impérial Rosé NV Champagne that has a fruity infusion of strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant.
£24.99 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Drinks by the Dram Spirit & Liqueur Crackers (Set of 6)
‘Tis the season to indulge in your favourite tipple so start the festivities feeling merry and bright with this cracker that after the mini explosion will reveal a 30ml wax-sealed dram of liqueur or spirit as well as the paper crown and traditional terrible joke.
£29.95 | Master of Malt | Buy it now
Liberty Christmas Gin Crackers Set of Six
Decorate your table with a festive Liberty print (they really are the best) in the form of these gorgeous crackers — sure to delight your guests when they discover the crackers are filled with gin. Ready to be paired with the tonic of your choice, they also reveal a hat and joke.
£65 | Liberty London | Buy it now
Midas Touch Crackers from Fortnum & Mason
Go all out this Christmas with this set from Fortnum & Mason that is filled with unique gifts that will bring the ultimate wow-factor. Each of these show-stopping gold crackers reveal a similarly gold envelope with a surprise more extravagant than the next.
The prizes include; Camellia Tea for Two Gift Set & Classic Afternoon Tea with Champagne for four, Camellia Four Person Hamper & The Fortnum’s Tea Adventure for four, The Connoisseur Hamper & Delicious History Tour for four, The Globetrotter Hamper & Dinner at 45 Jermyn St. for four, St James Tea for Two set & High Tea with Champagne for four and High Tea set collection & Dinner at The Royal Exchange for four.
£5,000 | Fortnum & Mason | Buy it now
Beauty Christmas Crackers
lookfantastic Christmas Crackers (Worth Over £60)
For the skincare and makeup fanatic at your table, these crackers will reveal a tiny treat that will be sure to invoke squeals of delight. Lookfantastic has wrapped up some of its bestselling products from the likes of Elemis, Illamasqua and Aromatherapy Associates in cracker form alongside the typical hat and joke.
£30 | Look Fantastic | Buy it now
Clarins Men Cracker
Ensure the man in your life doesn’t miss out on the grooming fun with this cracker that contains travel-ready versions of the ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm and Shampoo & Shower Gel.
£10 | Clarins | Buy it now
NUXE Xmas Cracker Gift Set
This not-so traditional cracker will allow your guest to get their hands on several fan favourite products from the French brand Nuxe, including the Huile Prodigieuse, Huile Prodigieuse Florale, Crème Prodigieuse Boost Gel Cream and Insta-Masque Purifying.
£10.50 | Feel Unique | Buy it now
Heathcote & Ivory The Enchanted Forest Christmas Party Bath Fizzer Crackers
Encourage the recipient of these crackers to indulge in some much-needed me-time after the festivities with these bath fizzers that will transform their bathroom into a calming spa-like Zen space.
£7 | Amazon | Buy it now
Kat Von D Limited Edition Love Big or Go Home Makeup Cracker Gift Set
Kat Von D’s take on the Christmas cracker steps the tradition up a few notches with covetable products they will actually appreciate. It contains its hero volumising Go Big or Go Home Mascara with a mini Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the universally flattering neutral Lovecraft hue.
£20 | Debenhams | Buy it now
Jo Malone London Christmas Cracker Fragrance Gift Set
This Jo Malone cracker is set to impress this Christmas with thrice the beauty fun. Once pulled, the cracker will reveal the fragrant trio of the English Pear & Freesia Cologne, Blackberry & Bay Body & Hand Wash, and Basil & Neroli Body Crème in mini sizes.
£32 | Jo Malone | Buy it now
Hand and Lip Cracker
With a floral design illustrated by Katie Scott, this caring cracker contains a nourishing double act featuring the Refresh Hand Cream and Natural Lip Balm. An excellent winter saviour that is bound to go down a treat with the recipient.
£12 | Cowshed | Buy it now
Makeup Cracker
The festive-embellished gold L’Occitane cracker is the party favouring you have been looking for to make this Christmas the most special yet. It contains the killer combination of the mini Shea butter hand cream and the party-ready addition of the Red-Y To Play Fruity Lipstick in a red hue.
£18 | L’Occitane | Buy it now
Floral & Fruity Christmas Cracker
This Molton Brown cracker features a deliciously fragrant filling of travel-sized shower gels in an array of fragrances. The collection combines floral and fruity notes with the Jasmine & Sun Rose, Suede Orris, Heavenly Gingerlily and Delicious Rhubarb & Rose bath and shower gels.
£20 | Molton Brown | Buy it now
Birchbox Beauty Crackers
Treat your guests to more than just a corny joke with makeup and skincare goodies care of Birchbox. The pampering prizes within come from brands like Nuxe, Eyeko, Benefit and Sand & Sky.
£20 | Birchbox | Buy it now
