Canadians , please identify these Christmas items...

[GTS_Rider]

A 'great' friend of mine who happens to have grown up in Canada, gave these two gifts for my girlfriend and I. There was a bit of a back-ground story for these gifts. I think he said is was a 'Canadian tradition', but could have just been a 'Family tradition' while he was growing up in Canada. I already know what they are, just wondering if any of you do...







 



 

[Mrs. DantesDame]

They're called "Crackers" and are more of an English tradition than a Canadian tradition (this according to my Canadian husband who has an English father)  

[GTS_Rider]

They're called "Crackers" and are more of an English tradition than a Canadian tradition (this according to my Canadian husband who has an English father)  

Ha! , excellent. That's what I was dragging up on Google, it was an English thing. Still wondering if any other Canadians know about this? Eh, for me I've never heard about it before. And don't get me started on talking about the paper crowns... lol

[ST1300Rider]

They've been a Christmas dinner tradition at our house for as long as I can remember. There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table. After a few words from my father and a count down everyone tugs in unison creating a chain of firecracker like pops. Providing they all work of course. When we were kids everyone had to wear the paper hats that will be released when the cracker opens. There's usually a small talisman or toy in there as well. Note: if you check inside the paper "roll" at each end you should find a stiff paper tab that extends into the body. It's important that these tabs be grasped firmly when you pull.

[bungie4]

Yup, crackers. I haven't seen them in years but it was a tradition in our family as well.

[bubba zanetti]

They've been a Christmas dinner tradition at our house for as long as I can remember. There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table. After a few words from my father and a count down everyone tugs in unison creating a chain of firecracker like pops. Providing they all work of course. When we were kids everyone had to wear the paper hats that will be released when the cracker opens. There's usually a small talisman or toy in there as well. Note: if you check inside the paper "roll" at each end you should find a stiff paper tab that extends into the body. It's important that these tabs be grasped firmly when you pull.

Yep !!   As above and ditto on pulling the tabs at each end of the cracker simultaneously. There is a slight gun powder smell that I associate with these as well. We just called em Christmas Crackers.

Merry Christmas Rick !!   Woke up to snow here, it is really quite beautiful out and can imagine you and your camera having a field day !


[img]http://ic2.pbase.com/o4/21/38121/1/52954768.DiveClubChristmasParty2005003.jpg/img]

[Mrs. DantesDame]

There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table.

haha - I'd forgotten about that! I went to a friend's house for Christmas one year in Seattle and they did this. It was a fun evening.

[Huron52]

In our family I don't remember crossing the arms but I do very much remember them and always at the Christmas supper. And yes the paper hats.... you couldn't get away from not wering them.  

[Kootenanny]

They've been a Christmas dinner tradition at our house for as long as I can remember. There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table. After a few words from my father and a count down everyone tugs in unison creating a chain of firecracker like pops. Providing they all work of course. When we were kids everyone had to wear the paper hats that will be released when the cracker opens. There's usually a small talisman or toy in there as well. Note: if you check inside the paper "roll" at each end you should find a stiff paper tab that extends into the body. It's important that these tabs be grasped firmly when you pull.

This, exactly.  Every Christmas dinner as a child growing up.

[KLRchickie]

They've been a Christmas dinner tradition at our house for as long as I can remember. There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table. After a few words from my father and a count down everyone tugs in unison creating a chain of firecracker like pops. Providing they all work of course. When we were kids everyone had to wear the paper hats that will be released when the cracker opens. There's usually a small talisman or toy in there as well. Note: if you check inside the paper "roll" at each end you should find a stiff paper tab that extends into the body. It's important that these tabs be grasped firmly when you pull.

Christmas tradition in ZED's family as well (not in mine).  Don't forget to add in that ONE person won't be able to figure out afterwards which one was theirs in the first place, probably the same one that didn't cross their arms at first...

Some brands of crackers are far superior & have some really nifty little toys in them.  Many of the stupid paper hats are too small to go around my head.

[Oxblood]

They've been a Christmas dinner tradition at our house for as long as I can remember. There should be one per diner and our tradition is to cross your arms in front of you and grasp one end of a cracker in each hand, the person next to you the other thus forming a chain around the table. After a few words from my father and a count down everyone tugs in unison creating a chain of firecracker like pops. Providing they all work of course. When we were kids everyone had to wear the paper hats that will be released when the cracker opens. There's usually a small talisman or toy in there as well. Note: if you check inside the paper "roll" at each end you should find a stiff paper tab that extends into the body. It's important that these tabs be grasped firmly when you pull.

It is the same with my family every year. God, I hate the stupid paper crowns.

[The Shepherd]

It was a tradition at my grandparents house as they came to Canada from England in their 50's. I haven't seen them since they passed away.

Thanks for the reminder. I think I'll try and find some for next year so my mum can have a good laugh.

[birdrunner]

I was introduced to them this year by my wife.

[Baz]

Definitely an English thingy.

They actually bored me when I was a kid. Dull prizes, very little noise.

This is a more recent Canadian tradition Christmas, Easter & Halloween. However don't try to smuggle these into the USA as homeland security has your back covered.  

Kinder Surprise egg seized at U.S. border

http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/01/10/man-kinder-surprise-border.html

[napper]

This is a more recent Canadian tradition Christmas, Easter & Halloween. However don't try to smuggle these into the USA as homeland security has your back covered.  




http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/01/10/man-kinder-surprise-border.html

It sounds like the Canadians are trying to take over by choking our stupid children.

[Shirker]

I must be the odd man out, we pulled crackers on Christmas day at my daughter's house - and wore the silly hats. Wouldn't dream of missing it.

[Slartibartfast]

I must be the odd man out, we pulled crackers on Christmas day at my daughter's house - and wore the silly hats. Wouldn't dream of missing it.

Four Christmas dinners - four sets of crackers. We have had them every Christmas for at least the last 40 years. BTW, the Walmart crackers had better crowns than the Costco ones, but they were kinda pricey at 20 bucks for 6.