C is for Cracker original illustration in pen and ink and watercolour by Rosie Brooks

A Christmas cracker is a popular holiday tradition in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries. It is a small paper or cardboard tube filled with small toys, trinkets, jokes, and paper hats, and it usually pops when pulled apart by two people.

The Christmas cracker was invented in the mid-19th century by a London confectioner named Tom Smith. He came up with the idea of a paper-wrapped tube filled with sweets, which eventually evolved into the modern Christmas cracker.

When pulled, the Christmas cracker makes a loud popping sound, and the contents of the cracker spill out onto the table. The small toys and trinkets are usually themed around Christmas, and the paper hats are often brightly colored and adorned with festive designs.

In addition to the toys and hats, Christmas crackers also contain jokes or riddles, which are often printed on a slip of paper inside the cracker. The jokes are usually silly or corny and add to the festive atmosphere.

Christmas crackers are a popular addition to Christmas dinner tables and are often pulled before or after the meal. They are also often included in Christmas stockings and given as small gifts during the holiday season.