Tom Smith Christmas Crackers

First created in Victorian England, crackers also became very popular in the United States in wealthy and middle class homes. Crackers first appeared in the 1850’s when a London confectioner named Tom Smith had an idea based on wrapped sugared almonds he witnessed in Paris.  He used colorful paper to wrap bon-bons and included a special motto, which was usually a love poem.  These were only moderately successful until he added the pop!  Inspired by the crackling of burning logs, he added a surprise bang to the cracker when it is pulled apart.  Soon the almond was replaced by a small toy or trinket and the love poem was replaced by a joke.