Backstory: Christmas Crackers

They're the festive party favors containing a paper crown, a trinket, and a joke — and wrapped in a package that goes "bang" when you open it! Christmas Crackers are an invention of the Victorian age. And more specifically, one confectioner named Tom Smith. Smith single handedly created a tradition that has endured for generations. Mentioned in This EpisodePeter Kimpton's WebsiteTom Smith's Christmas Crackers — Book by Peter KimptonMusic in This Episode"The Kishner Method" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Forget" — Lesfm, via Pixabay"God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Christmas Piano Background Music" — Lesfm, via Pixabay"Sedative" — Lesfm, via Pixabay"Stress Relief Piano" — PianoAmor, via Pixabay"Night Jazz" — Music for Videos, via Pixabay Buy the Christmas Past Book!Order your copy today. And remember...it makes a great gift!AmazonBarnes & NobleBooks-a-MillionIndieBoundShare a Christmas memory Be on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in [email protected] pageFacebook groupTwitterInstagramWebsiteConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: [email protected] BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)