Whether you’re thinking elegant or silly, viral or good-value, we’ve trawled the net for both surprisingly chic, pleasingly cheap bangers and handmade crackers so precious they’re more like main presents under the tree.
Expect velvet ribbons, block-print fabrics, candy stripes and marbled papers with contents equally pleasing on the eye. Wildflower seeds, lip shaped fabric patches, leather goods and hand-carved trinkets have firmly usurped the unapologetically naff plastic fish of old.
Some of this year’s Christmas crackers are so beautiful that they seem (almost) too lovely to pull. But pull them you shall!
M&S
Modern Brights Christmas Crackers, Set of 6, £15
Proof that lower prices needn’t mean plastic tat. Tied with raffia ribbon and filled with wooden decorations and trivia questions, M&S crackers are recyclable - and stylish.
Dunelm
Sophie Robinson Maximalist Christmas Crackers, Set of 6, £12
Bold and vibrant, these crackers are unmistakably Sophie Robinson in style. Each includes a ‘Who Am I?’ game piece – ideal for keeping guests laughing between courses.
Waitrose
Candy Stripe Christmas Crackers, Box of 8, £18
More affordable than many, there isn’t any compromise with these best-selling traditional jewel-coloured crackers. When all the fun’s over, everything is recyclable.
Sainsbury’s
Luxury Striped Crackers, Pack of 6, £12
These tasteful candy stripe crackers look far more costly than their modest price tag and include light-hearted anagrams, obligatory cheesy jokes and tissue hats.
Morris & Co.
Blackthorn Foiled Christmas Crackers, Pack of 6, £40
Velvet ribbons and gold foil inject instant grandeur to any table. Inside, you’ll find nifty gifts like travel nail clippers, a keyring pen and a mini grater (epic for chocolate shavings).
Daylesford
Winter Workshop Handmade Christmas Crackers, £45
Designed by Hugo Guinness for Daylesford, these crackers are as lovely on the outside as within. Pull to find wholesome gifts such as wildflower seeds and a honey drizzler.
Meri Meri
Stripe Velvet Bow Crackers, Set of 6, £30
While scalloped edges, velvet bows and gold foils score on Insta, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. These crackers are stuffed with dinky treats like a magic trick and bell eraser.
Toast
Christmas Crackers, Set of 6, £46
Trust Toast to make it onto our list of this year’s most beautiful crackers. Artisanal lokta paper conceals thoughtful gifts including handmade baubles and carved printing blocks.
Cox & Cox
Luxury Handmade Striped Crackers Mauve, Set of 6, £45
The best thing about these elegant burgundy crackers is that each is jam-packed with cute keepsake gifts to enjoy for months to come. Expect sweet pea seeds or seedballs.
The Newt In Somerset
Handmade Christmas Crackers, Box of 6, £40
As is typical of The Newt, their woodland designed crackers define understated country chic. Natural, plastic-free trinkets include charming cookie cutters and spiced apple tea.
Heal’s
Marble Christmas Crackers Mixed Set of 6, £65
When you pull these swirled marbled crackers, you’ll find a very merry collection of small leather goods from Undercover, including a luggage tag and a password book.
Rockett St George
Luxury Milagro Christmas Crackers, Set of 6, £45
Whimsical and a little wild, Christmas cracker contents including pouty lip-shaped iron-on fabric patches and silver chain boot charms are made for a spirited ‘Friendmas’.
OKA
Ocellus Napkin Crackers, Set of 4, £95
For a decidedly greener take on disposable crackers that go bang when snapped, OKA’s block printed fabric crackers double up as napkins to keep. Each contains a chic horn gift.
Fill your own crackers
Lakeland
6 Fill-Your-Own Evergreen Christmas Crackers, £5.99
These crackers are easy to fill with your own small gift, much more meaningful than something that will clutter up your home. The kit includes snaps, hats and jokes and a festive ribbon. Job done.
Nancy & Betty
6 Partridge Fill-Your-Own Luxury Christmas Crackers, £28
These upmarket DIY crackers have a similarly smart partridge print and each includes a silver paper crown, joke and snap. The cracker takes a gift up to 12cm x 5.5cm.
Hero image: Sophie Robinson x Dunelm
