1. Penhaligon's - £90 for six
Very pricey indeed, but these crackers actually earn their "luxury" label. Each large red cracker is tied with a lush velvet ribbon and contains a signature Penhaligon's leather accessory in red or black. Instead of a joke, you'll find a new year's resolution card.
www.penhaligons.co.uk; 0800 716 108
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2. Waitrose - £10 for six
Keep the kids occupied while you carve the turkey with these Father Christmasand reindeerthemed crackers. Each contains a fun, wind-up toy, so don’t be surprised if you find a crocodile or crab scuttling across the table and on to your plate.
www.waitrose.com
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3. Hotel Chocolat - £35 for eight
If you’re not feeling quite stuffed enough after your Christmas dinner, these tasty crackers will hit the spot. Each one contains three lovely chocolates cast in festive shapes – angels, snowmen and Christmas puddings – aswell as a joke and hat.
www.hotelchocolat.co.uk
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4. Sainsbury’s - £4 for six
Get your children involved with all the hectic Christmas preparations with this fun do-it-yourself kit. There are hats and jokes to put inside and stickers, sequins and ribbon ties with which to decorate the crackers.
www.sainsburys.co.uk
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5. Liberty - £19.95 for six
Liberty’s crackers are almost too pretty to pull. They come in jewel-like orange, blue and pink shiny paper, accessorised with a peacock feather and tied with matching ribbons – not a smiling snowman or holly wreath in sight.
www.liberty.co.uk; 020-7734 1234
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6. Waitrose - £15 for six
Waitrose has taken the seasonal shades of red, green and gold and made them look elegant with these shiny crackers coated in glitter and tied with ribbons and tiny baubles. Contents include a photo frame, keyring and mini games compendium.
www.waitrose.com
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7. Made - £25 for six
Handmade in Africa using old copies of Grazia and other recycled materials, these quirky crackers are available online or from Top Shop’s Oxford Street store. Inside you’ll find pretty jewellery fromaNairobibased designer, and a hat and teaser to keep traditionalists happy. All proceeds go back to Africa to support community projects.
www.made.uk.com; 020-7636 7700
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8. Harvey Nichols - £29.95 for six
We have Harvey Nichols to thank for filling their crackers with hats which aren’t quite as unflattering as the usual crepe-paper offerings. Even better, there’s a party game suggestion in each one, for when conversation with all those distant relatives gets tricky, and some chocolates.
www.harveynichols.com; 020-7235 5000
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9. Fortnum & Mason - £40 for six
These crackers are the best I have seen and are light years away from all the sparkly tat Christmas seems full of. Even if your children don’t appreciate the beautiful fairytale presentation, they should be pleased with the handmade wooden toys inside each one.
www.fortnumand mason.com; 020-7734 8040
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10. Conran Shop - £65 for six
Making these lovely chunky gold crackers the centrepiece of your festive table should gloss over any other imperfections. Each one contains a genuinely useful miniature gift from hip flasks and photo frames, to mirrors and penknives.
www.conranshop.co.uk; 020-7589 7401
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12 December 2007, Chosen by Sophie Morris
