Christmas crackers are a classic part of holiday celebrations, but many of us have grown tired of the usual jokes and plastic toys that often end up in the bin. This year, I tried a set of Christmas crackers that break away from tradition by offering something genuinely different: six simple dexterity games designed to bring everyone together for some light-hearted competition. These crackers don’t just pop with a bang, they pop with fun.
What Makes These Crackers of Glory Different
Instead of the usual cheap plastic toys and corny jokes, these crackers come with small wooden game pieces and instructions for six quick and easy games. The idea is to play all six games as a group, then use the results to gain an advantage in a final paper airplane throwing contest. This twist adds a fresh layer of excitement to Christmas Day and encourages everyone to join in.
The games are designed to be simple and fun, with most rules explained clearly and quickly on a small piece of paper that comes with the game pieces in each cracker. That said, a couple of the games required us to re-read the instructions a few times to fully understand them. This didn’t spoil the experience, though, but I did wonder why it was written in a somewhat vague and short-handed way. But we got there! Have a read yourself…
What’s Inside the Crackers
Six of the eight Crackers of Glory contain wooden game pieces, each used for their own unique game. The pieces feel light but sturdy enough for the games. The quality is decent, with the wood being thin but functional. Two crackers include paper hats for everyone, which might disappoint some people since there’s no way to tell from the outside which crackers have games and which don’t. So it is worth explaining that upfront if you leave a cracker per seat, like we do. This is a small downside, but it’s important to remember the games are meant for the whole table to enjoy, not just the individual who opens the cracker.
One notable difference is the absence of the traditional bang when pulling the crackers. Due to modern health and safety concerns, these crackers don’t pop loudly, which might feel like a loss for some. Still, the focus here is on the games and shared fun rather than noise. And no jokes here. Maybe good overall! But I do like a bad cracker joke myself. There are some funny ones, like What did the snowman say to the aggressive carrot? “Get out of my face.” Ok, maybe not!
The Six Dexterity Games
Here’s a quick overview of the games included in the set:
- Football
Players flick a flat wooden disc, shaped like a football, aiming at targets made by the other players fingers, formed into the shape of a goal.
- Basketball
Using a small wooden bouncy ball, players try to bounce it into a cup. Note that cups are not provided, so you’ll need to supply your own.
- Snooker
This game involves flicking small white balls to knock red balls into pockets. The pockets are cleverly made using four knives placed in a square with gaps at the corners. We used empty crackers for our! A solid surface would be better though.
- Judo
Players throw a disc onto a pile of other discs, aiming to flip some over. Keeping the ones they flip. This game’s rules were the trickiest to grasp and took a few reads to get right.
- Archery
From about one meter away, players flick rubber bands at a paper target, trying to knock it over.
- Gymnastics
Players throw two dice onto the table, while throwing another in the air and catching it, then picking up one of the dice off the table, throwing that in the air and catching it, while picking the other dice up before they catch the second. It makes sense when you play! And it’s a lot of fun.
- Paper Airplane Throwing Contest
The idea is everyone plays all six of these games and scores each one as they go. Then, everyone makes a paper airplane out of the provided score sheets and sees who can throw it the farthest. After the six games, players use their scores to gain a step forward advantage in a paper airplane throwing contest. This final game brings the tournament to a fun close.
How the Games Work as a Tournament
The games are designed to be played one after the other, with each player’s performance tracked. At the end, the scores determine the starting positions for the paper airplane contest. This format encourages friendly competition and keeps everyone engaged throughout the meal or gathering.
Because the games are quick and easy, they fit well into the flow of a Christmas Day celebration without dragging on. The tournament style adds a sense of purpose and excitement, making the games more than just a passing distraction.
What to Keep in Mind
- No Bang or Jokes in Crackers
The lack of a traditional bang and moan might feel odd if you’re used to the usual Christmas cracker experience.
- Two Crackers Only Have Hats
Since you can’t tell which crackers contain games, some people might feel disappointed when they get a hat-only cracker.
- Instructions Can Be Tricky
A couple of the games had us scratching our heads at first. It might help to read through them before the big day.
- Need a Table Surface
Some games work best on a smooth, flat table. The wooden pieces are light, so a wobbly table might ruin the fun.
- Whole Table Participation
These aren’t games for one person to play alone. The fun comes from everyone joining in, so make sure there’s space for all to get involved.
Overall, these Glory Crackers offer a refreshing change to the usual Christmas routine. They turn a simple tradition into an interactive event that can create lasting memories for the whole family.
