I’m English. I grew up with the Christmas ritual of pulling crackers every year. They were invented in 1847 by Tom Smith, a London confectioner. Inspired by French bonbons—sweets wrapped in paper—he brought the idea to England, but sales were slow. So he added a crack: a small explosive strip that made a bang when pulled apart. And just like that, the Christmas cracker was born.

Over time, crackers became more than just a sweet. Paper hats were added—actually paper crowns, inspired by the aristocracy. Sweets were replaced by small toys and trinkets, and jokes (very bad jokes) and riddles became part of the package. By the late Victorian era, pulling crackers at Christmas dinner was so popular that even the Royal Family joined in. Imagine it: the Queen herself wearing a paper crown and pulling a cracker.

Fast forward to today. I still buy my crackers from Tom Smith, who is somehow still going strong. They’re not cheap. But I’ve noticed a few changes: the crowns are less durable, the toys and trinkets have disappeared, and the price has tripled. All of this might be fine if it were going to charity—but it seems to be going straight back to Tom Smith.

I love introducing children to the ritual of the Christmas cracker. I love the silliness of adults wearing paper crowns. I love the competitive thrill of knowing that only one person at the end of the pull gets the prize. But lately, the crackers feel… empty. There’s very little inside. Even the jokes are sparse, to say the least.

So, dear Tom: it was a brilliant idea. For nearly 200 years, you’ve helped make Christmas magical—fabulous, fun, and full of laughter. You gave us permission to wear crowns at the dinner table.

All I ask is this: please put a little more effort back into the surprise inside. And while you’re at it, make the crowns a bit sturdier than they are now.

I say this because I truly love the tradition—and I love passing it on.

After all, it’s the only time of year I get to wear a crown.