Christmas bon bons are a fixture of the Australian Christmas table. Two people pull, there is a snap, and out tumble a paper hat, a joke and a small gift. They take seconds to open but set the tone for the whole meal.
Bon bons are a last-minute buy for many families. In Australian Google search data, “christmas bon bons” was searched 40,500 times in December 2025, the same as “christmas crackers”. Here is how to choose the right ones before the rush.
What Is a Christmas Bon Bon?
A Christmas bon bon is a cardboard tube wrapped in decorative paper and twisted at both ends. Two people pull it apart, a small strip inside makes a “snap”, and it releases a paper crown, a joke or riddle and a small gift. In the UK the same thing is called a Christmas cracker.
Why Australians Call Them Bon Bons
Australians use “bon bon” and “cracker” interchangeably, and both are common search terms here. The cracker was invented in Victorian-era London, inspired by French sugared almonds called bonbons that were wrapped in twisted paper. You can read more about the history on Wikipedia’s Christmas cracker page. In Australia the name “bon bon” stuck.
What’s Inside a Bon Bon?
Most bon bons contain four things:
- The snap: a thin card strip that cracks when pulled.
- A paper hat: usually a tissue paper crown.
- A joke or riddle: the groan-worthy kind everyone reads aloud.
- A small gift: anything from a mini puzzle to a keyring.
Luxury bon bons swap the plastic trinket for something nicer, like a small grooming item, a quality pen or a decoration.
How to Choose Christmas Bon Bons
Size
Standard bon bons are around 30cm long and suit most tables. Larger bon bons make a statement on a long table, while mini bon bons work on kids’ tables or as tree decorations.
Pre-filled or fillable
- Pre-filled bon bons are quick and easy for big gatherings.
- Fillable bon bons let you choose each gift, write personal jokes and match a theme.
Gift quality
Decide whether the gift matters. For adults, luxury bon bons with useful gifts feel more special. For big family lunches, classic bon bons keep costs down.
Colour and design
Match bon bons to your table palette: red and gold for classic, white and blue for coastal, green and copper for native.
Sustainability
Look for recyclable paper, plastic-free gifts or reusable fabric bon bons you can fill again each year.
How Many Bon Bons Do You Need?
Plan one bon bon per guest, plus two or three spares for late arrivals and the kids who want a second go. For a family of 12, buy around 15.
How to Use Bon Bons in a Table Setting
Bon bons double as decoration, so place them with purpose.
- Lay one across each dinner plate.
- Place it above the plate, parallel to the table edge.
- Tie a name tag to each bon bon as a place card.
- Stand a few upright in a vase as part of the centrepiece.
Our Christmas table setting ideas show how bon bons fit into a full setting, and our Christmas Table range has the runners and serveware to match.
A Safety Note for Young Children
Bon bon gifts are often small. Keep small parts, and any toy that contains a button battery, away from children under three. Pull bon bons with little ones rather than letting them open them alone.
DIY Bon Bon Ideas
Fillable bon bons are an easy family activity in the lead-up to Christmas.
- Write personal jokes or memories for each guest.
- Fill with a lottery ticket, chocolates or a small decoration.
- Use wrapping paper that matches your tree theme.
- Add a name tag so each one doubles as a place card.
Bon bons also make great stocking fillers. See our Christmas stocking ideas for more small-gift inspiration.
Bon Bon Traditions and Etiquette
Every family has its own bon bon rules, but a few traditions are common across Australia.
- Pull together. Many families cross arms around the table and pull all the bon bons at once.
- The bigger end wins. Whoever ends up with the larger piece keeps the gift.
- Hats stay on. The paper crown is worn for the whole meal, no matter how hot the day.
- Jokes are read aloud. The worse the joke, the bigger the groan, which is half the fun.
- Save the gifts. Small trinkets often end up on the tree or in the kids’ stockings.
If you host a big lunch, put the bon bons out before guests sit down. They add colour to the table and give everyone a fun first moment together, especially the kids who have been waiting all morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bon bons and Christmas crackers the same thing?
Yes. Australians mostly say bon bons, while the UK says crackers.
When do you pull bon bons?
Most families pull them at the start of Christmas lunch or dinner, so everyone wears their hat through the meal.
How do you pull a bon bon?
Cross arms with the people next to you, each hold an end of two bon bons, and pull together.
Are fabric bon bons worth it?
Reusable fabric bon bons cost more up front but can be refilled every year. They suit families who want less waste and like personalising each gift.
Get Your Bon Bons Sorted
Christmas bon bons bring the snap, the hats and the laughs that start every Aussie Christmas lunch. Choose a size and style to suit your table, buy one per guest plus spares, and match them to your palette. Browse our Crackers & Party range and Christmas Home Decor to finish the table.
