What Is The Origin Of Christmas Crackers

Sadly tom smith died in 1869 aged just 46.

What is the origin of christmas crackers. They were first made in about 1845 1850 by a london sweet maker called tom smith. It s incredible that smith s creation is still giving pleasure over 160 years on. Tom smith s magical invention. They were invented by a london confectioner tom smith who had an inclination for french bon bon sweets.

Christmas crackers were invented in 1846 by the british confectioner thomas smith. Getty they were first pulled in 1845 1850 and were made by a london sweet maker called tom smith. The most widely accepted story is that they were invented in the mid 1840 s by a london pastry cook named tom smith who came upon the idea while on a trip to paris where he witnessed the french holiday custom of wrapping sugared almonds and other sweets in a twist of colored. The history of christmas crackers.

The history of christmas crackers. Christmas crackers are a traditional christmas favorite in the uk. They are part of christmas celebrations in the united kingdom ireland and commonwealth countries such as australia where they are sometimes known as bon bons canada new zealand and south africa. Peter s revised second edition christmas crackers tom smith s magical invention is available from his website the king of crackers.

Christmas history in the uk. Taking an idea from the french sweet wrapping technique he wrapped his sweets together with a small message or a puzzle in the. Crackers weren t just used as table decorations they were an integral part of the victorian parlour explains peter kimpton cracker specialist and author of christmas crackers. He had seen the french bon bon sweets almonds wrapped in pretty paper on a visit to paris in 1840.

Whilst on a trip to paris he stumbled upon a bob bon which for those of you that don t know. His idea was not initially well receive and as a result he did not make a great deal of sales. If you want to know the true story you need to read tom smith s christmas crackers an illustrated history by the world s only cracker historian peter kimpton. Tom smith first came up with the idea of christmas crackers picture.

The invention of christmas crackers dates back to 1845 in united kingdom. It s basically a sugar almond wrapped up in tissue paper with a twist either side of the bon bon. Crackers have been a traditional part of british christmas festivities and other celebrations since victorian times.