Crackers

When I made a resolution at the beginning of this year to take at least one photo every day and upload to a blog, I didn't know how long I would be able to keep it up. So far I've not yet missed a day but I have to admit that it has often been a challenge and at times a burden. Not wishing my life away but I'm looking forward to December 31st as I don't anticipate carrying it on every day for another year. I guess some people must have thought I was a little bit crackers anyway when I started which is a contrived way of leading into today's blog spot.

A gentleman by the name of Thomas Smith is credited with inventing the Christmas cracker after a visit to France in 1846 although it took a number of years to develop into the item we know today. initially it was simply a sweet wrapped in tissue paper twisted at each end but Thomas added a motto in the 1850s and the noise (or cracker) about 1860. Further modifications later meant small toys or games, paper hats and jokes were included and today crackers of all sizes, colours and prices are seen on shelves in supermarkets and other shops all around Christmas. No doubt people in the 1850s must have thought Thomas Smith was a little bit crackers too so I'm in good company although I don't think anything I do in my lifetime will have the same lasting effect as his humble invention.