Gorgeous Gifts for Mr. and Ms. Impossible to Shop For: Walpert Festive Crackers Highly Recommended by Whom You Know for the Christmas Season!
The Victorian Age gave birth to many charming and romantic notions. One of these, the tradition of pulling a cracker at Christmas time, began just as Charles Dickens was publishing "A Christmas Carol". A London confectioner, on holiday in France, was impressed by candy-makers' custom of wrapping bon-bons in fancy papers with twisted ends. Upon his return home, he reproduced the idea, adding a few twists of his own.
The first was the 'kiss motto', a slip of paper wrapped with the candy, on which was printed a romantic verse:
"The sweet crimson rose with its beautiful hue,
Is not half so deep as my passion for you;
'Twill' wither and fade, and no more will be seen,
But whilst my heart lives, you will still be its queen"
Of course, the cracker was named because of the "cracking" sound it makes when pulled, inspired, some say by the pop of a burning log. An 1841 article in a magazine called Delightful People mentioned "…people who explode their cracker bon-bons". A few years later, in 1844, the same magazine reported "…they paid compliments, said clever things and pulled their crackers!"
With the growing popularity of the cracker, confectioners began to replace the bon-bons with trinkets such as bracelets from Bohemia, fans from Japan, musical pipes from France, and little wooden barrels from America. Themes included the "Legal Box", containing humorous mentions of 'lovers agreements' and 'legal costs', and including a barrister's paper wig. A set called "Crackers for Spinsters" contained a tiny pillbox filled with rouge, powder and a little puff. So popular had crackers become that by 1880, one manufacturer alone sold over 600,000 boxes. In 1898, The Strand Magazine speculated that the "thirteen million crackers produced annually, could reach from London to New York".
Festive Crackers soon began to make their presence in North America, as immigrants brought holiday traditions from their homelands abroad. New York's famous toy store F.A.O. Schwartz first listed crackers in their catalogue at $1.25 per dozen in 1897. Wannamaker's department store of Philadelphia showed Festive Crackers in their 1903 catalogue. The Hudson's Bay Company and Eaton's Department Store of Canada have had crackers on their shelves since before 1900.
By the "Roaring Twenties", crackers had gained national popularity. Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover from April 26, 1919 showed two teenagers pulling a party cracker. The festive favors became a popular addition at 'flapper parties'. Several American companies produced Festive Crackers by this time. They were often called 'Snapping Mottoes'.
Because of material shortages and rationing during World War II, manufacturers ceased to produce popular favors including crackers, tinsel and balloons. Though the tradition held its place in British tradition, crackers would not be produced again in North America until 1960. It was that year that Walpert Industries Ltd. of Montreal began manufacturing crackers for North America. The company expanded into the U.S. market in the late 1980's, initially selling to such prestigious companies as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor, and Neiman Marcus.
As demand became widespread, the company's offerings began to include a wide range of holidays and festivities, from Christmas, Thanksgiving, to corporate events, July 4th and childrens parties. Millions of people around the world celebrated the New Millennium with Walpert's Millennium Crackers! The company's success is built upon a devotion to quality product, innovation and customer service. Whether sophisticated, traditional or whimsical, Walpert offers something for everyone at every price point! Today Walpert Festive Crackers are found in most major department stores, grocery, gift, party and specialty shops.
Come join in the world's love affair with the Festive Cracker! Celebrate with Tradition.
WALPERT FESTIVE CRACKERS.
