Christmas: how to cheat at pulling crackers

Ever wanted to make the perfect snowball, win the Christmas cracker novelty every time, and impress your festive guests by creating snowflakes indoors? Science correspondent Richard Gray asks the experts who can show you how…

HOW TO WIN WHEN PULLING A CRACKER – WITHOUT FAIL

As demonstrated by the weapons experts at QinetiQ, the defence agency which, when they're not developing technology for the MoD, like to experiment with Christmas table decorations.

* Hold your end lower than the other person's, so the cracker tilts downwards towards you.

* To prevent the cracker tearing, use a firm, two-handed grip.

* Apply a slow, steady pull, rather than a swift tug, which will only compromise the integrity of your section of the cracker.

* Avoid twisting, as this will add stress to the cracker wrapping. For the same reason, avoid laughing too hard at Uncle Bob's annual 'joke' about 'pulling a cracker'.

Read more at The Telegraph (Thanks @ferkle)