Robin Reed Christmas crackers at The Christmas Shop
Robin Reed crackers turn an ordinary place setting into part of the celebration. Robin Reed has been making crackers since 1975, which makes it the oldest established cracker company in the United Kingdom, and at The Christmas Shop you will find one of the widest selections in the Netherlands. Sets come in 6, 8 and 12, in designs that range from elegant and traditional to bright and playful. Browse the full range of Christmas crackers for every design we carry.
A Christmas cracker is a festive paper tube that two people pull apart at the table. The pull sets off a small snap, and inside you find three things: a paper crown, a corny joke or riddle, and a little gift. That mix of bang, crown and joke makes it the easiest icebreaker at any Christmas dinner.
Handmade crackers from Robin Reed
What sets Robin Reed apart is the craft. Every cracker is rolled by hand using the finest papers from Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany, with glittering sheets from India. Lush fabrics and hand-tied bows give each one its signature finish, so the crackers double as decorations in their own right. Lay them along the table with the rest of your table styling for a setting that feels complete.
Where the Christmas cracker comes from
The Christmas cracker goes back to Victorian London, when a confectioner named Tom Smith sold sugared almonds wrapped in twisted paper. One evening the crackle of his log fire gave him an idea: a package that would pop when pulled open. He added a paper crown, a motto and a small gift, and by the end of the nineteenth century the cracker was a fixture of the British Christmas. Today the tradition reaches far beyond Britain, and you will find it on more and more Dutch tables too. For more festive ideas, browse our Christmas decorations.
The best-known Robin Reed ranges
Robin Reed designs its crackers in distinct series, so there is a style for every table. The Racing family, with its Reindeer, Nutcracker and Gingerbread designs, is the playful favourite. Musical crackers hide a tune inside, the Vintage Nutcracker leans classic and elegant, and the Concerto sets work beautifully for larger gatherings. Mix two designs along one table for a bit of variety.
Ordering your Robin Reed crackers
Order your Robin Reed crackers online at The Christmas Shop with free shipping from €75, and orders placed before 17:00 usually arrive within one to two working days. Prefer to see them first? A large part of the Robin Reed collection is on display at our Christmas shop in Delft, where you can pick your favourites in person.
