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About Crackers | |
  The cracker is a unique and entertaining European custom, traditionally brought out during the Christmas and New Year’s festivities. Crackers are used to decorate tables, adorn Christmas trees and are often handed out at parties. Originally invented in the 1840’s by an English confectioner named Tom Smith - who got the idea for the cracker whilst holidaying in Paris. It was there that he discovered the Parisian bon-bon, traditionally a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of paper. He brought the idea back to England where he adapted them by inserting small gifts. He also added a small strip of saltpeter (still used to this day) pasted between two strips of card - as each side was pulled, the friction created a snapping sound and the cracker tore open to reveal the surprise gift. In the early Victorian times, the merriest parties were held after Christmas, on Twelfth Night, the last day of the season. Twelfth Night parties were usually Masque Balls, when people dressed up in fancy costumes. Crackers were part of this gaiety, and paper hats were inserted into the crackers and used as part of the fancy dress. Later, Twelfth Night was officially banned as being too rowdy, at the wish of Queen Victoria, but unofficially, the parties and fancy dress masques continued. Crackers were also produced for other occasions, such as the 1900 Paris exhibition, and Prince Edward (Prince of Wales) World Tour in 1927. There is even an incident where a gentleman of that time sent a diamond ring and a ten-shilling note, with a letter requesting that a special cracker be made with the ring inside as a proposal to his ladylove. Sadly, the gentleman did not remember to include his address and the cracker was never sent! Later, crackers appealed to everyone and for every occasion, there were 'Crackers for Married Folk', 'Crackers for Bachelors', 'Smart Set Society Crackers', which goes to prove the popularity of crackers. No-one felt too staid, too proper or too sophisticated for a cracker at their dinner party. Jeli delights in keeping the feeling of child-like anticipation alive by designing entertaining party crackers to match all manner of occasions. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Crackers are not dangerous, providing that the crackers are used as intended. The cracker snaps inside the cracker should not be removed and used on their own as noisemakers, or for any other purpose. |
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File updated:
03/25/08, 04:02 PM CST
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File updated:
03/25/08, 04:02 PM CST
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