The best Christmas crackers for 2019
by Precious AdesinaChristmas crackers are an essential item during the festive period - and they can be as silly or as luxurious as you like. The right one can complete a beautiful table setting and add a little fun to your Christmas meal.
The bang, paper hats, poor jokes, scavenger hunt for toy that have flown all over the room; there's a lot to love about this particular Yuletide tradition.
While searching for the right Christmas cracker for your family's roast dinner is a pleasant affair, during the holiday period, it can be hard to find the time. But now, we've done all the hard work so you don't have to. Choose from this list of our favourite Christmas crackers of 2019.
Best traditional crackers
Fans of timeless Christmas jollity don't want a modern take on tradition, so if that's you, stick to these classic crackers.
1. Caspari 12 Days of Christmas paper crackers box of six
Get yourself some beautiful crackers by Caspari. Featuring lovely illustrated appliqués and filled with a joke, trinket and crown, you'll add some magic to your festivities.
2. Robin Reed Victoria Santa Crackers Pack of 6
These handsome crackers will provide the traditional touch with their old fashioned Santa Claus design and bright red ribbons.
3. Meri Meri Festive Foliage Medium Crackers
Get some crackers that elegantly complement your tableware. These white ones with a festive foliage design are adorned with gold glitter berries. Gifts includes: 1 small gift, 1 hat & 1 joke.
Best luxury crackers
If, for you, Christmas is all about indulging in the best of the best then you'll love the crackers below. They're guaranteed to give your table a truly lavish touch.
4. Harrods of London Floral Christmas Crackers Box of 6
These chic crackers are handmade and tied with luxe velvet bows. As you'd expect from Harrods (and the price tag) the trinkets inside are a little more upscale than the usual fare, so you'll be sure to make friends and family feel special this Christmas.
5. Fortnum & Mason Berry Wreath Crackers Pack of 6
Now these are extremely fancy crackers. If your budget for festive decor is unlimited then consider investing in this pack of six by Fortnum & Mason. Inspired Christmas colours, each one is decorated with a beautiful wreath.
6. Toast Christmas Crackers
These set of six crackers have a beautiful design that will please any adult and toys that will have any child jumping for joy. Hand assembled in Dorset using Nepalese lokta papers that have been hand block printed by women in the Kathmandu Valleys of Nepal, each cracker contains a joke, literary riddle, a paper crown and a separate gift.
7. John Lewis & Partners Party Luxury Christmas Christmas Crackers, Pack of 6
This neon-nostalgia cracker set is inspired by the flamboyant nightclub scenes of the 80s and 90s and is a very modern take on traditional Christmas decoration, and could definitely be used for any New Year party.
Best crackers for families
When it comes to crackers for families you want a good mix of bangs, bad jokes and fun toys. They don't need to be expensive but they do need to appeal to all ages.
8. Crackers Gingerbread man deluxe Christmas crackers set of six
These gingerbread crackers are adorable and will be sure to delight your little ones. Each has baking related gifts inside.
9. Ridley's Musical Party Christmas Crackers Pack of 8
Create your own family orchestra with Ridley's musical crackers. Play a tune together to fill the time between your starters and the main event.
10. Racing Festive Friends Christmas Crackers Pack of 6
Now this is a great idea for fun and games at the table. Pull the crackers, don your hats and then use the wind-up characters in a racing game to see who can reach his sleigh first.
Best bargain crackers
If you've got the world and his wife coming round for Christmas dinner then you'll no doubt be spending so much on food that splashing out on high end crackers is the last thing on your mind. So keep it budget friendly with these brilliant bargain buys.
11. Waitrose Gold Tree Crackers set of 12
Waitrose's very sweet set is a great way to get that festive cheer for less. The foiled metallic golds make them look more expensive than they are and the classic toys and trinkets will keep kids amused.
12. Marks & Spencer Joy Family Christmas Crackers Pack of 12
These celebratory crackers manage to be family friendly, traditional in style and also only £1.25 each. Six of the pack are red and say "may your Christmas be merry and bright" while the other six say "'tis the season for warm and fuzzy feelings".
12. Deluxe Silver and White Christmas Crackers Pack of 10
At only eighty pence each, this family pack is a real bargain and perfect for large gatherings. But just because they're cheap as chips doesn't mean there's any less snap and crackle. You'll find all the usual bits and pieces inside these attractive silver and white Christmas designs.
Best crackers with style
Design conscious? Don't feel the traditional hues of green and red go with your personal vibe? Then give your festivities a modern edge with stylish Christmas crackers that will show off your chic credentials.
13. Katie Leamon Luxury Confetti Christmas Crackers Pack of 6
These elegantly designed cracker are handmade in England and the bronze bows are the perfect touch to the otherwise monochrome design. Gifts include garden twine, plant markers, colouring pencils, seed scoop, seed dibber and Bumble Bee soap.
14. Nancy & Betty Pinecone Christmas Crackers Set of 6
A chic alternative for anyone who wants a modern Christmas table. These Kent-made luxury handmade crackers are tied with blue and white ribbon and are fatter than your average cracker. Gifts include wooden golf tees, egg cup, salt scoop, mini pencils and luxury tea and jam.
15. Luxury Christmas Crackers Pack of 6
The White Company is beloved for its understated, minimal aesthetic and this follows through to its crackers too. In white, with subtle silver details, they're ideal for a cool and calm Christmas look.
Best make-your-own crackers
If you're crafty and love going homemade whenever possible, then don't let the party season be any different. Take a look at these fill-your-own and make-your-own crackers just waiting for your creative input.
16. John Lewis & Partners Rainbow Holly & Pine Fill Your Own Christmas Crackers Pack of 6
Fill these cheerful crackers with jokes and gifts specifically chosen for the people you love. And, we love the Holly & Pine pattern on it.
17. Christmas Fill Your Own Christmas crackers 8-pack
These cute Christmas crackers from Robin Reed are designed so you can easily place your own gifts inside. What a fun way to make Christmas a little more personal. Available in gold or silver.
18. Lakeland Fill Your Own Crackers Pack of 6
Lakeland's festive crackers feature a festive foliage illustration and can be filled with personalised gifts to suit your guests. The pack comes with hats, jokes, snaps, ribbon and gift tags so you can do the homemade thing with only a minimum of effort. Perfect.
For more Christmas features and gift guides, see www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas
All the products mentioned in this article are selected and reviewed independently by our journalists. The Telegraph makes money by adding affiliate links to some of the products.