Five of the best Christmas crackers
Make the big day go with a bang
1) Burberry’s Four-piece Festive Cracker Set (£295) brings an elegance to proceedings, and includes polished metal charms-cum-keyrings: a heart, a teardrop cloud, the brand’s signature Thomas bear and an umbrella engraved with Burberry lettering. uk.burberry.com.
Fortnum & Mason The Sensational Six Person Super Cracker, £65
2) As Christmassy as the Queen’s Speech, mince pies and brandy butter, Fortnum & Mason’s crackers are an institution; in the 1920s the shop had an entire department dedicated exclusively to them. This year, F&M has unveiled The Sensational Six Person Super Cracker (£65), which contains eight whistles, each corresponding to a different note, and sheet music. F&M is also keen to claim that its jokes are of superior quality; well, they have been created by Stephen Fry. www.fortnumandmason.com.
Drinks by the Dram six Spirit and Liqueur Crackers, £40
Harrods Vintage Floral Crackers, £100 for six
3) Each of Drinks by the Dram’s six Spirit and Liqueur Crackers (£40) contains a three centilitre dram: Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin; Cherry Brandy; Bathtub Gin – Sloe Gin; Rumbullion! rum; Few Bourbon or That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s North British 27-Year-Old Whisky. For a very merry Christmas. www.masterofmalt.com.
Nancy & Betty Studio Pheasant Crackers, £35 for six
4) Harrods Vintage Floral Crackers (£100 for six) give the familiar accoutrements and surprises – a hat and a joke plus gifts, including a magnifying glass, bottle opener, compact mirror, coffee scoop, money clip and wine-bottle stopper – an upmarket twist. www.harrods.com.
5) For a Christmas in the English countryside, the delightful Pheasant Crackers (£35 for six), designed by Nancy & Betty Studio and available from the British Library shop, contain chic gifts, such as a honey drizzler, wooden spoon or egg cup. www.bl.uk.