Christmas Cracker: #CDMCurbside FREE KinderKorner Craft Kits sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company
Christmas crackers are a traditional favorite in the United Kingdom. Tom Smith, a London sweet maker, came up with the idea after visiting Paris and seeing the French ‘bon bon’ sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper). He tried selling sweets like that in England and included a small motto or riddle with the sweet, but they didn’t sell very well.
Legend says that, one night, while Tom was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested in the sparks and cracks coming from the fire. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled apart. In 1861, Tom Smith launched his new line of what he called ‘Bangs of Expectation’!
The Christmas Crackers that are used today are short, cardboard tubes wrapped in colorful paper. There is normally a Cracker next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled – with a bang! – a colorful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out! The party hats look like crowns and it is thought that they symbolize the crowns that might have been worn by the Wise Men.
If you want to get in on this long-standing tradition and many others, visit the CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines online marketplace now through Nov. 22nd to place your order and pick up your kits at Principal Park Dec. 3rd – 6th. Due to the generous support of MidAmerican Energy Company, the Kinderkorner will have a variety of FREE children’s craft kits for ages 1 – 12 available to add on to your shopping cart while supplies last.
MidAmerican Energy Company not only provided the means, but they also supplied volunteers to assemble the kits. MidAmerican Energy Company hopes you enjoy the KinderKorner Craft Kits!
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In addition to traditional power plants, MidAmerican Energy began investing in green energy generation in 2004.
Suzanne Hull administrator
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