The best luxury Christmas crackers for every festive table

The best luxury Christmas crackers will give any festive table serious wow factor. Whether you’re keen to lavish treats on your family or just want to ensure Christmas dinner feels like a truly special occasion, the right crackers are an easy way to bring extra pizazz to your celebrations.

Finding the perfect luxury Christmas cracker might take a little more planning than throwing a box into your supermarket trolley in late December though. Consider how you plan to decorate for Christmas first, in case you want to stick to a theme and really make a style statement. 

Next, think about the gifts your guests would love to receive when the crackers are pulled. The best luxury Christmas crackers aren’t stuffed with bad jokes and plastic toys you’ll throw straight into the bin once the turkey’s finished. Instead, they should be filled with extra presents anyone would love to receive including beauty products, food and alcohol gifts, or lavish surprises that will last, without a flimsy screwdriver set or a tiny pack of cards in sight. However, do remember to plan ahead and shop early if you want any of our favorite crackers on your table as all are likely to sell out before you’ve opened the first door on your advent calendar.

From Hotel Chocolat to Fortnum & Mason, we’ve rounded up the very best luxury Christmas crackers to make this festive season one to remember.

BEST LUXURY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 2022

Keen to be a little more eco-friendly this Christmas? Browse our best sustainable Christmas gifts and pick up a box of these fantastic crackers to pull on Christmas Day, guilt-free.

The pack of six come in a recyclable box with no plastic inserts and even the crackers themselves are made of recycled paper. The silver satin ribbons would make perfect sustainable Christmas decorations added to a wreath or tree next year too. The gifts especially wowed us, though. There wasn't a mini tape measure in sight; instead, we opened up jokes and hats plus really unusual, thoughtful gifts anyone could use again including a plastic-free shampoo bar or soap, jam, pea-shoot seeds, and tea bags. If they still feel a little too expensive, consider the Hotel Chocolat crackers instead to guarantee no trinkets will be binned by Boxing Day.

If Christmas dinner always starts with a toast, these Virgin Wines crackers are a fun way to kick things off. Packaged in classy navy and gold packaging to suit any table, each cracker contains a mini-bottle of Senti prosecco bursting with citrus and apple flavors. They come in wine, gin or mixed spirits versions so you can choose the crackers to really make your guests smile, but we'd suggest adding a box of Nancy & Betty Father Christmas graphic-print paper Christmas crackers if there are children at the table.

Every cracker also has the requisite hat and joke no Christmas dinner should be without and we’d recommend leaving them in the fridge the night before so they’re icy cold to sip straight away. You could even add some reusable straws to the table so everyone can drink straight from the bottles once the crackers have been opened. If you know someone who would really love these, it might be worth splurging on some more prosecco gifts to stash under the tree too.

This oversized embossed gold cracker will impress even the hardest-to-please guests at your table this Christmas. It’s so generous, it could easily be used as an extra gift for the special woman in your life instead of a normal cracker, especially as it would be pricey to buy one of these for every diner. However, one of these crackers would be a lovely way to welcome any house guests staying over the festive season.

Be aware it won’t bang as it’s opened - and there's no hat or terrible joke inside (though that might be a good thing). However, we were thrilled to see four generously-sized 50ml Molton Brown shower gels tumble out of the cracker including Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel, Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower, Infusing Eucalyptus Bath & Shower Gel, and, our favorite, Neon Amber Bath & Shower Gel. Perfect for an indulgent Christmas Day shower.

Ok, we know this doesn't look—or pull—like a traditional Christmas cracker and there’s not a bad joke in sight. But who can resist giving the gift of great hair? If you know someone with fine or flat hair who yearns for thicker locks, this will give them a real Christmas treat, doubling up as a great beauty gift idea.

Inside, there are tubes of Thickening Shampoo 50ml, Thickening Conditioner 50ml and Thickening Hair and Scalp Mask 50ml from the best-selling Grow Gorgeous range, all formulated to promote thicker, healthier-looking hair. Though the cracker isn’t cheap, the products cost £11 more if bought individually and it’s a great chance to try them out without buying full-size bottles. We really noticed the difference when we used them on our fine hair too. 

Treat someone to a bag of top-notch hair products under the tree as well and they’ll have plenty of good hair days to come in 2023.  

Sick of throwing pointless cracker gifts straight in the bin after dinner? These mini, white and silver crackers from gourmet chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat are the answer. Every single one contains a delicious chocolate any guest will love, making them a perfect way to finish a slap-up Christmas dinner. Chocolates include billionaire’s shortbread, salted caramel cream, caramel cheesecake, dizzy praline and (our favorite) pecan praline.

They don’t need to be saved for the table either. The diddy crackers would look lovely as a Christmas tree decoration—and there’s no need to tell anyone what’s inside if you want to keep the treats for yourself. They could also be used as pretty place settings as there’s space to write a guest’s name on each cracker. 

It’s not always easy to know what to buy men at Christmas. He definitely won’t be expecting this huge red cracker from the London Sock Company and it will look suitably lavish under the tree. However, you may need to clear some space if you plan on surprising him at the dinner table.

There are four seriously stylish pairs of socks inside in size 8-10.5 made from advanced knitting methods and high-quality materials including Scottish Lisle thread. Ours were all in classic seasonal shades of black and deep red and included two plain pairs and two trendier patterned pairs. We also loved the fact the cracker included a hat and a (sock-themed!) joke to keep things festive. 

There’s no denying this is expensive even for a luxury Christmas cracker, but he’ll be wearing these socks all year.

Looking for some unique Christmas party ideas? Welcome every guest with one of these crackers and you’ll guarantee the night gets off to a memorable start. These luxury Christmas crackers would also look beautiful at every place setting, thanks to each cracker’s unusual triangular shape, tasteful pale pink and grey packaging and discreet black ribbons. Stock up on Hotel Chocolat Mini Chocolate Christmas Crackers for non-drinkers too. 

There’s no real surprise what’s inside as each cracker states whether it holds prosecco or sparkling Italian rosé on the outside. However, we’re sure everyone will forgive the spoiler once they’ve popped the lid on the striking cut-glass bottle and sampled the sparkling wine. The light, refreshing rosé is a particular highlight, with notes of red berries and subtle floral undertones that would work well as a festive aperitif or even with dessert. We would still have loved a hat and joke though. 

If you really want to spoil someone on Christmas Day, you won't go far wrong treating them to a Jo Malone cracker in the brand's trademark cream and black packaging. There's no denying each one is pricey but anyone would love to spot one at their place setting, so you'll win serious brownie points. It would also make the perfect gift to thank someone for hosting you over Christmas. However, if you need to buy more than one beauty cracker, it's better value to buy the Bramley X Compton Marbling Handmade Christmas Crackers. 

There are three small but luxe beauty products inside this one and all smell divine, including a Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body & Hand Wash 15ml, a jar of Blackberry & Bay Body Crème 15ml and Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 9ml. And if you’re feeling really generous, anyone who would love this cracker would also adore a beauty advent calendar to count down to the big day.

These Christmas crackers won’t just look great on your table, they could provide the perfect inspiration for a Christmas tree theme too. Their smart green and red tartan packaging tied with red ribbon is perfect for traditionalists aiming for a classic look this year.

Add these to your table for the ultimate finishing touch. Yes, they’re expensive but no one sitting down for dinner will have seen anything like them. Made for boutique Scottish Highlands hotel The Fife Arms, they proudly showcase Scottish artistry so there’s no chance you’ll find a plastic thimble in these crackers. Instead, expect a hat, a (surprisingly original) joke and an exquisite handcrafted gift including a bottle stopper, egg spoon and key ring, all made from sustainably sourced local stag horn crafted by Gareth Guy in his workshop at McLean of Braemar. We especially loved the inclusion of a classic Scottish poem in each cracker to bring a touch of culture to our Christmas Day feast. However, if you love the traditional feel of these but don't want to splash so much cash, try the Emma Bridgewater ones instead.

Luxury Christmas crackers don’t need to cost the earth to feel like a festive treat. This pack of six from Emma Bridgewater would look striking on the dinner table, yet won’t break the bank at £20 for the box.

The gifts inside feel like premium products too, an upmarket version of the plastic trinkets usually found in crackers. All six gifts are made of wood and can be reused and include a honey drizzler, a dice, a lovely keyring and—our junior testers’ favorite—a dinky wooden skittles set they played with immediately. There is a good mix of presents for both adults and children to ensure no glum faces over the turkey and we loved the fact the outer box has no plastic so it’s 100% recyclable.

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It’s not always easy to know what Christmas gifts to buy for kids, but these crackers will definitely be a winner. With each one designed to look like Santa himself, they’ll bring a splash of color to any Christmas table. Better still, they’re eco-friendly, packaged in a plastic-free box and are entirely recyclable once the bows are removed.

Every cracker comes with a joke and a silver crown and snaps when pulled for maximum impact. The gifts inside are especially lovely, all handmade in England and including a cookie cutter, a wooden spinner, a puzzle and crayons to be (hopefully) reused rather than binned. They are aimed squarely at children though, so you might want to add the odd Molton Brown Woody and Aromatic Christmas Cracker to the table to keep the grown-ups smiling.

Wow your guests with a Fortnum & Mason cracker at every place setting. The large crackers are pricey but won't fail to impress even the trickiest relative this Christmas with their impossibly festive red and green packaging and embossed Fortnum's ribbons.

They’ll be charmed by the contents too. As well as a joke and hat, each cracker also contains a useful recipe from the store’s own Cook Book, plus a practical kitchen utensil to help make it. These include a nutmeg grater to use rustling up Rice Pudding with Strawberry Jam and a lemon reamer to make Marigold Spritz Cocktails. We thought they might prove less appealing to children, but ours couldn’t wait to make the tasty Hot Chocolate with Salted Caramel Marshmallow recipe using the diddy included whisk. They were even inspired to try some more Christmas baking afterwards. A surprisingly practical hit all round.

We all know Christmas can be a stressful time of year—especially for the person cooking dinner for everyone on the day. Show your host you appreciate them with this quirky cracker from CBD specialists, OTO. Derived from the cannabis sativa plant, the benefits of CBD are said to include better sleep, stress relief and even improved menopause symptoms.

This pretty—albeit not very festive-looking—luxury Christmas cracker makes a lovely gift for anyone who needs to make time for themselves this December. Inside, there are three products made with pure CBD including a nourishing hand balm, a lip balm and a stimulating focus roll-on, which combines CBD with rosemary, ylang-ylang and peppermint. However, if you’re keen to give a similar gift but spend a little less, try the Molton Brown Woody and Aromatic Christmas Cracker instead.

You won’t need to worry about a Christmas centerpiece with these striking luxury crackers, which are a conversation starter in their own right. The crackers are a collaboration between Wiltshire company Bramley and Compton Marbling, who have been making hand-marbling paper for 50 years.

The luxury Christmas crackers are made with exquisitely printed paper so definitely don't resemble your average supermarket offering. Unlike most crackers filled with beauty products, they also snap when pulled which was a pleasant surprise, and each one includes a hat and a motto. Gifts are a real treat too including 50ml bottles of Bramley’s bubble bath, body lotion or body wash, soap or wildflower seeds. However, one cracker in six holds a box of Bramley matches which, though useful, might feel a touch disappointing in comparison.

If you’re stuck for Christmas decorating ideas, take Rockett St George’s hip monochrome crackers as a starting point. Each one has a different pattern including spots and checkerboard print and they would suit anyone planning a stylish, modern Christmas with no tinsel or even a sprig of holly in sight.

Each cracker contains a gold (naturally) hat, a cheeky, not-in-front-of-the-kids joke and a smart, black and gold gift we would actually use. These included a mirror ball keyring, a silky slogan eye mask, a ‘Mile High Club’ luggage tag and a makeup bag, making these by far the most grown-up and glamorous crackers we tested. However, if there are children at the table, you might want to treat them to a box of Nancy & Betty Father Christmas graphic-print paper Christmas crackers instead.

Keen cooks will love these food-themed luxury Christmas crackers from Sous Chef. Instead of festive tartan or sparkles, even the outer packaging is designed around herbs and spices, with colorful illustrations of ginger, coriander and black pepper.

Don’t expect standard gifts inside either. Every cracker contains a 10g glass jar of spice including garam masala (useful if you’re planning turkey curry on Boxing Day), Cajun mix and Chinese 5-spice, which can all go straight in the kitchen cupboard for meals in the New Year. We loved the fact these practical gifts would be put to good use and might inspire us to cook something a little different in the post-festive slump. Of course, if you really hate cooking, give these a wide berth and choose Harvey Nichols Completely Crackers to enjoy other gifts that won’t be wasted.

Put down the gift wrapping and take a little time for yourself this Christmas. Okay, we realize it’s not exactly what Christmas crackers were designed for, but there’s nothing wrong with buying yourself a little present or two to ease festive stress.

Wellbeing brand Bloom and Blossom offer the perfect self-care crackers, whatever your mind and body are craving this December. Priced between £10 and £15, the range contains pampering products including calming sleep spray and revitalizing leg and foot spray if the party season is proving too much. Our favorite is the Sleep Tight cracker containing a generously-sized 100ml bottle of Off To Bed bath oil worth £20. Treat yourself or your frazzled best friend for silent nights all round this Christmas.

Personalized Christmas gifts are a great go-to when you want someone to feel really special. This year, why not make everyone smile at the dinner table by surprising them with these bright personalized crackers made from kraft-paper at their place setting?

Made by personalized festive lifestyle brand Workshop, the crackers can be enjoyed without guilt too. They’re made entirely without plastic and are recyclable and include wooden matchbox puzzles and ethical chocolates from Tony’s Chocolonely inside which you can wolf down at the dinner table without worrying about a heap of discarded plastic tat. We also like the fact they can be bought individually to avoid unnecessary waste and cost. The only real problem is they look so good with their bright ribbons and personalized packaging that you may not want to pull them at all.

If you’re catering for a crowd this Christmas, these crackers should keep everyone happy. We love the fact they come in a huge box of ten to suit a larger family and they will look stunning on the table, with brightly colored packaging and oversized satin bows. They are expensive though, so if you’re buying crackers for all ages and want to spend less, try the Emma Bridgewater Winter Flowers Large Crackers instead.

Each cracker contains a suitably stylish silver crown, a joke and not one but three tasty Harvey Nichols truffles. Though it does spoil the surprise a little, there’s a handy guide on the back to ensure everyone gets the chocolates they will like. White crackers contain alcohol-free, coconut-dusted Snowballs, yellow are milk chocolate that will be perfect for children, orange are sea salt caramel and red are dark whisky truffles but we'd recommend grabbing the pink to snaffle the pink Champagne truffles. And if you really want to embrace the chocolate theme this year, you could try swapping Christmas pud for a moreish chocolate bundt cake too.

How we tested the best luxury Christmas crackers

We got into the festive spirit early and pulled every single luxury Christmas cracker we could find to choose the best ones for this guide. We rated the box they came in and how festive the crackers looked, including whether we would be happy to add them to our Christmas table on the big day. We also noticed whether the cracker snapped when pulled if it included a hat and joke and how sustainable the packaging and contents were. We also considered the gift and whether we or one of the family would be thrilled to receive it or if it would go straight in the bin when the last one was pulled. These are luxury crackers, so we also considered whether or not they were genuinely worth the higher price point.