Polly want a cracker

The comment from J has inspired me to educate my American friends as to some British Christmas necessities, starting with the cracker.

Crackers were invented by Tom Smith, in 1847 (old huh?), he made sweeties (candy for you Americans) wrapped in a twist of paper. But apparently the confectionary business was not all it could be and he was trying to think of gimmicks to market them. He heard a log crack on the fire and BINGO he decided to add the cracking stick (for want of something better to call it). To accommodate it the wrapping got bigger and eventually the sweet was replaced with a gift… and of course the paper hat that is too big for everyone’s head and the joke…. and the awful joke. Honestly I have never heard a good joke from a cracker, but it is half their charm.

For those deprived individuals that have never seen a cracker - here is a handy link for you.