It’s the day after the day before, also known as Boxing Day, and what better day to share some of the best, or perhaps worst, jokes from yesterday’s Christmas crackers!
Tom Smith
Nowadays, crackers are an essential part of the Christmas festivities. They are traditionally said to have been invented by Tom Smith in the late 1840s as a promotional idea for his bon-bon sweets.
After initially putting love messages into the sweet wrappers, he was inspired to add a “crackle” after hearing the crackle of a log he had just put on a fire.
The sweet was eventually replaced by a small trinket, with Tom’s son Walter adding other elements such as the paper hat and a riddle later. Jokes first appeared in crackers in the 1920s.
Cracker jokes
Most cracker jokes are question and answer pairs, or puns that rely on a play on words.
A good cracker joke is one that appeals to everyone round your festive table from your eight-year-old niece to your 80-year-old grandfather.
If you need to explain it, it’s not a good joke!
The good, the bad and the downright terrible…
Here are a few of the YES team’s favourite cracker jokes – warning, some are good and some not so good!
What lies at the bottom of the sea and shivers?
A nervous wreck
Who hid in the bakery?
A mince spy
What’s the most popular Christmas wine?
“I don’t like Brussell sprouts!”
What athlete is warmest in winter?
A long jumper
Why did the orange take a prune to the Christmas party?
Because it couldn’t find a date
Which is the scariest number on an Advent calendar?
7, because 7, 8, 9
Which game do penguins love to play?
Ice-spy
What do you call Santa’s helper when he wins the lottery?
Welfy
What do you call someone who doesn’t believe in Santa?
A rebel without a Claus.
Not just for Christmas!
Don’t forget a joke is not just for Christmas. Why not keep your cracker jokes and use them at other parties and special occasions?
My teenage daughter has kept the joke slips from our crackers for the last six years (yes, really!) and regularly shares her latest favourite with us.
Do share your cracking cracker jokes with us in the comments section below.
And if you need ideas for festive fun over the next few days, check out our articles on Christmas light trails and this year’s pantomimes.
Happy Boxing Day!
