Brits left fuming after seeing how American film characters pull their Christmas crackers
CHRISTMAS crackers are a must-have at any festive table as most Brits will agree.
And they will also agree that they are pretty fool-proof when it comes to how to pull one – however, it seems that some Americans may need further instruction.
A TikTok video has gone viral after one furious UK viewer spotted the very unusual way characters pulled their crackers in a US film.
Rachael Price shared a clip from the Netflix flick A Kindhearted Christmas on her TikTok account where it has since received over 1.2 million views.
Captioning her post, Rachael wrote: “Can someone please teach the Americans how to pull a christmas cracker or to just leave it to us.”
In the video, protagonist Scott Morris (Cameron Mathison) is demonstrating how to use ‘English crackers’ to love interest Jamie Monroe (Jennie Garth).
“Typically you open them before the meal but my parents always used to make us wait until dessert,” Scott says.
Demonstrating how to use them, Scott adds: “So you go in here and find the little tab, I’m going to show you right now why they call it a cracker.
“Make sure you squeeze them really hard and on the count of three everyone pulls them at the same time.”
Scott and Jamie are then seen pulling their own crackers individually rather than each one of them taking either end to break them open.
And it’s fair to say that the method didn’t go down with British viewers.
Commenting on the viral video, one wrote: “Not a single bit of research went into this scene”
A second joked: “They’ve taken away the competitive element – where’s the opportunity for a pointless Christmas Day argument?”
“As someone from England I’m so triggered ,” added another, while a third wrote, “WHAT ARE THEY DOING. I was sweating watching this.”
The first crackers were made by London sweetmaker Tom Smith around 1845 and were inspired by French “bon bon” sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper).
Tom tried to sell sweets in similar wrapping, and included a small motto or riddle inside but they didn’t sell well.
Legend has it that, as he sat in front of a log fire watching it crackle and spark, he had the idea of adding something to make his sweets and toys “crack” when they opened.
The crackers were originally names “cosaques” – after Russian Cossack soldiers who fired guns in the air while riding their horses.
After Tom died his three sons – Tom, Walter and Henry – took over the business and Walter introduced hats into the crackers.
The trio also introduced a range of themed crackers such as a box for bachelors and spinsters where the gifts included wedding rings and FALSE TEETH.
There were also crackers for Suffragettes, war heroes and a bespoke box for silent film star Charlie Chaplain.