A Christmas Challenge

[PaperRadioFan]

We do it all for the lulz, the internets needs more of this.

[stacey0423]

what are you doing next year then?

[debisoni]

.....something...... Christmasy......!!!! thank you for being part of something really special.

[ickyboxi]

Thanks to all brave souls who've taken up the Christmas cracker challenge so far. Keep a cracker on you over these festive days, whether you're travelling near or far, and if you see a stranger who needs a bit of cheer ...

[ickyboxi]

And thanks to Lars Bastholm, Exec CD of AKQA New York, for his message on Facebook: "Very charming idea, the Xmas Challenge. Funny how happy it makes people to leave their comfort zone, if only for a minute :) Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!"

[nlbm]

Do you think it is fair to describe pulling a cracker with a stranger as 'happy cracking', and is it therefore the opposite to 'happy slapping'???

[PaperRadioFan]

genius!

[Soundcheck99]

Best response yet.

[minipash24]

I had a go at this myself and I have to say, it really made me feel Christmassy! This is such a great experiment, I hope many more people take this up!

[Soundcheck99]

I've got to sort out some crackers - even if I have to wait until Xmas day for this.

[omap1ata]

Pulling a cracker with the homeless guy,..we all found this especially funny ..hope he got to keep the paper hat and joke!)

[PaperRadioFan]

I am surprised how quickly people have gone out and done this. Well done to all that have given it a go.

[PaperRadioFan]

Loving the responses. I am going to put the word out on this at work and see what I can do.

[Duncs541]

So Peter2025Au are you familiar with the old 'Christmas cracker' down under mate?

[cathywadley]

Made this Christmas Grinch smile.

Watch It!

[caroline56jandj]

Nice to see people actually saying 'hello' at at this crazy mad time of year ;)

[PaperRadioFan]

Its great to take a moment to stop and think about other people and everything around us. We rush around so often that we miss a stranger's smile or a beautiful moment. We should all just make take the long way around in life.

[Pickle2104]

Fantistic! How great would it be if you all had a cracker after the pub, there would be some B.E.A.U.tiful moments!

[manifesto119]

I love the film of the business exec: makes me think of Carl Honore's book about 'the Slow Movement' ... how we'd all be so much richer if we just slowed down, ignored the buzzing Blackberry, let go of a deadline or two, and just relished the moment. Nice one.

[PaperRadioFan]

The slow movement? I've not heard of that? I love the slowfood movement that's about.

[hookhill13]

Gave it a go in manchester - woop is all I can say?! Nervous but it felt really good after.

Thanks! X

[Soundcheck99]

1:06 - even the grinch is joining in.

[RedSandSoul]

mmmmm lovin' it ... pulling crackers at the big mac drive-through! cool nlbm

[nlbm]

Thanks, I couldn't resist the urge!

[PaperRadioFan]

That was fab mate!

[guernican]

Pete looks like he's offering something far more nefarious than a cracker.

Brilliant.

[Soundcheck99]

which one's Pete?

[manifesto119]

soni i don't know how you do this so easily, it's nerve-racking to just walk up to strangers in the street never mind a bride at her wedding!! :o)

[debisoni]

.....believe me it wasn't, however the dashing groom gave me the confidence, so we all had a mini celebration on the Magistrates Courts steps together!

[JimboWales]

Hi Debi!

This is really cute but I think maybe you are going to need a companion video for us over here in America explaining what it is to "pull a Christmas cracker". I have never heard of such a thing before, and I actually have no idea where I might get one or what it is exactly. :)

[ickyboxi]

Okay, guys this needs some explaining! Who's going to take up Jimmy's challenge?

[Soundcheck99]

You pull a Christmas cracker normally around the Christmas table after the meal. You normally cross arms and pull.

There is normally a gift inside the cracker and a paper crown hat. I think the idea is to make a link and connection with loved ones and then share the gift.

What's nice about the idea of doing this with strangers is that normally you only do this with family or loved ones.

So it's a cool way of thinking about people.

[johnnyvulkan]

Very nice idea guys :)

[manifesto119]

debisoni this is everything we've forgotten about christmas, i think your idea is great :) :)

[PaperRadioFan]

Sorry I meant which guy is in that video?

[Soundcheck99]

I don't know as the guy who posted it if it's him?

[PaperRadioFan]

I think the person who posted this is a woman...

[Soundcheck99]

Sorry my bad!

[Soundcheck99]

Did you ever find out?

[PaperRadioFan]

Which one?

[Soundcheck99]

which one what??

[PaperRadioFan]

I shall try this again, I've done it once but maaaaaan it's not that easy y'know I totally managed to miss the moment.

[Soundcheck99]

Brilliant I am going to give this a go. Love the video and the happy litte guy at the end.

[lizzierobbo13]

Love it, love it, love it! its almost like that film pay it forward but with cdrackers. and loving the innuendo of 'du wanna pull my cracker?!' Gonna have a lot of fun saying that to people! I feal really xmassy now!!! yeeeeah!! merry christmas everyone! xxx

[MrPatriotic]

I am going to do this.

But first I need to find some crackers lol

[ickyboxi]

Great ... where do you live - do you have crackers at Christmas?!

[MrPatriotic]

I live in the U.S. (Texas)

[Soundcheck99]

I found out a few places online and how you could make some crackers - links posted above.

[MrPatriotic]

Thanks! :-D

[caroline56jandj]

MrPatriotic, you're struggling to find a box of crackers over there in Texas! So how about putting up a clip telling us folks here in England what you think of our 'quirky' tradition?!! ;)

[honora33]

Love it - think I'll go and get me some crackers!

[ilovecreedence]

Today, i think i'll do that. I hope people in chester arent mean :)

[ickyboxi]

Cool ... good luck!

[PaperRadioFan]

Go for it dude - I tried this early but I didn't get my camera ready in time. Wish me luck for next time!

[Beanieboy182]

GOOD idea but i need a cracker to go out and ask someone to pull it :O

GIEF THE CRACKERS!

-ROCK ON-

Kev

[hookhill13]

We could do with a little more of this sort of 'spirit' at xmas in gloomy old machester!!

[ickyboxi]

Why not go out and share the spirit in Manchester?!

[freidabella]

I love this - it really made me smile> Merry Christmas to everyone involved.

[Soundcheck99]

Merry Christmas

[ickyboxi]

Just proves the old adage that a stranger is just someone we haven't said 'hello' to. Thanks for the festive spirit!

[asmileinthemind1111]

Great idea!

[didoathome]

What a cool idea! real Xmas spirit