Autumn Holiday at the Åland Cultural History Museum: Festive Crackers
On Thursday, 15 October, during the autumn holiday, you can make your own beautifully decorated festive crackers in the museum’s cinema room.
During the latter part of the 19th century, funeral confectionery was an important part of mourning ceremonies. The funeral would end with guests receiving special funeral crackers to take home. However, the crackers were not meant to be eaten. They could contain a sugar sweet, a piece of cardboard or a small wrapped keepsake.
The carefully decorated crackers featured words, pictures and symbols expressing grief and remembrance of the deceased. They were intended to serve as mementos and were kept as memories.
As sugar became cheaper towards the end of the 19th century, the tradition of beautifully wrapped sweets spread to other important occasions in life, such as christenings, weddings and birthdays.
When Christmas trees became increasingly popular around the turn of the 20th century, people needed inexpensive and beautiful decorations. They discovered that the shape of the festive cracker, with its decorative cut-paper fringes, was perfect for hanging from the branches of the Christmas tree.
The activity is suitable for all ages and is free of charge!
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