Launched in the late-1840s and known as ‘Bangs of Expectation’, Tom Smith’s crackers sparked a whole new Christmas custom, later evolving to include jokes, hats, gifts and jewellery.

Here are some of the facts they unwrap… Charles Dickens’s father, John, worked as a naval clerk, but the family struggled with money. Just before Christmas 1823, his father, mother and ...

“My Facts of Life sisters ... All sorts of things that would just make it fun for them, and at the same time, great little moments, and extra Christmas gifts of whimsy and magic for the fans ...