Why Are Christmas Cracker Hats Shaped Like Crowns?

Why are Christmas cracker hats shaped like crowns? It’s the question we all ask the second we pop one on, usually right before forgetting it for another twelve months.
Turns out there’s a genuinely fun bit of history behind it.

So before you stuff your face with turkey wearing a paper crown that barely fits, let’s get to the bottom of why we all do this every Christmas Day.

The History Of The Christmas Cracker

Christmas crackers were invented in London in 1847 by a sweet maker called Tom Smith.

He was inspired by French sugared almonds wrapped in twists of paper and wanted to create something a bit more British and more fun.

Legend has it that the satisfying “snap” was added after Tom sat listening to his fire crackle one evening. A happy accident, basically, and one that gave us a Christmas dinner staple nearly 180 years later.

Why Are The Paper Hats Shaped Like Crowns?

The crown-shaped hat is widely believed to come from much older Twelfth Night traditions, where a “king” or “queen” was crowned for the day during midwinter feasting.

When crackers became a Christmas Day staple, that little paper crown got carried along for the ride.

The result? Everyone at the table- grandad, the dog, your fussiest cousin, gets to be royalty for one glorious day.

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Fun Facts About Christmas Crackers

A few more crowd pleasers for the dinner table:

• 1. The average Christmas cracker joke is so bad it has its own name, a “cracker joke.” Nobody has ever laughed at one genuinely.
• 2. Tom Smith’s original crackers contained love notes, not jokes. The jokes came later, and somehow got worse over time.
• 3. The little gift inside is officially called a “trinket.” Most end up in the bin by Boxing Day.
• 4. Crackers are largely a British and Commonwealth tradition. Most of the world has absolutely no idea what we’re doing, and honestly, fair enough.

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So there you have it. A paper crown, a terrible joke and a tiny plastic trinket, and somehow it adds up to one of the most joyful five minutes of Christmas Day.

Pop one on. You’re royalty now.

👉 Love uncovering Christmas traditions? Head to our Why Do We Kiss Under The Mistletoe for another fun festive explainer.