Christmas crackers are probably one of the little gems of the British Christmas tradition. Popular in a number of different countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia, the Christmas cracker is one of those customs that Christmas just would not be the same without; and in addition to the joke, the hat and the piece of paper that makes the cracker go with a bang, they also contain fun gifts that could become perfect stocking fillers.

But what is the history behind the humble Christmas cracker, and where did they come from? According to reports, Tom Smith, a confectioner looking to develop a range of sweets, created the Christmas cracker in London in 1847; in the face of falling sales, Mr Smith created crackers as a way of enticing customers.

While the initial idea of adding a motto did not prove to be particularly successful, Mr Smith opted to introduce the now familiar explosion after reportedly becoming inspired by the sound of a crackling fire. After increasing the size of the wrapping to make room for the banging mechanism, it was decided that the sweet should be dropped and replaced with a toy. Initially known as the Cosaque, the product developed into the Christmas cracker that we all know and love today.

However, when it comes to modern day Christmas crackers, what are you planning on putting into his stocking this year? Stocking fillers are a great way to treat him to something cheeky a fun gift that he wasn't expecting, but will nevertheless make his day.

So, for any girls looking for stocking fillers for their man, it's a good idea to consider a gift that accurately reflects his personality and tastes. So, if he's known far and wide as a lover of cheese, why not consider the Swiss Cheese Door Wedge? Made from something considerably more durable and long lasting than its more edible alternative, the Swiss Cheese Door Wedge is definitely one of those stocking fillers than can open doors.

The history of cheese is a long one, with its production going back to ancient times that actually predate recorded history. It is not known where cheese originated from, but there is certainty behind the idea that cheese production predates Roman times. However, Swiss cheese in a number of different countries is quite a generic term, and is often used as a way to describe cheese that appear to be quite like Emmental, a variety of Swiss cheese. Also known as Emmentaler, Emmenthal, or even Emmentahler, this tasty creation is a non-protected variety of cheese produced in a number of different countries, including Germany and France. Characteristically made with distinctive large holes, Emmental is created with the assistance of a number of different types of bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Propionibacter Shermani.

However, there is far more to Swiss cheese than Emmental, and if your man is that much of a cheese-lover, why not put something hard into his stocking? Fans of extra-hard Swiss cheese might like to consider Sbrinz; produced in central Switzerland, Sbinz is an incredibly hard cheese that can be used in place of Parmesan. Allegedly the oldest variety of cheese in Europe, Sbrinz is so good, he'd have to be crackers to pass up a chance to try it!

However, if your man prefers something a little softer, why not consider some stocking fillers from Switzerland's range of semi-hard cheeses? In addition to the classic Raclette, there are a number of fine examples to choose from, including Appenzeller, Tete de Moine and Vacherin Fribourgeois, a cheese produced in both Switzerland and France.

So, if cheese is something that he'll appreciate as part of a package of stocking fillers, why not accompany it with a selection of biscuits? With so many to choose from, including Cornish Wafers, Water Biscuits, Oat Cakes and Digestives for cheese, any cheese-lover worth his salt would be crackers not to give them a try!