What is the point of Boxing Day?
The name is a reference to holiday gifts.
A 'Christmas Box' in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a 'Christmas Box' from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give 'Christmas Boxes' to their families.
The name is a reference to holiday gifts.
A 'Christmas Box' in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a 'Christmas Box' from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give 'Christmas Boxes' to their families.
For starters, no, Boxing Day isn’t when Manny Pacquiao takes on yet another opponent in the ring (although that results in an instant holiday for most people, Christmastime or not).
The 26th of December actually has its origins in a much more noble (and less painful) practice. It is said to have begun in England during the Middle Ages, when the servants of wealthy families had to work on Christmas Day. (Come on, did you think those princes and princesses cooked their own Noche Buena? Of course not.)
To make up for it, the said servants were given the day off the morning after to visit their families and to celebrate Christmas as they wished. Before they left on their respective outings, each servant would receive from their master a box containing gifts, bonuses, or even leftover food from the previous night’s feast. In some variations, these Christmas boxes also referred to the ones that tradespeople would collect from their clients on the first working day after the holiday in gratitude for their services throughout the year.
In another variation of the origin story, Boxing Day refers to the boxes placed inside the churches to collect money for the poor. These donation boxes are then opened the day after Christmas and distributed among the less fortunate. (Another spin on the tale has a sealed box onboard sailing ships for good luck. If the ship was lucky enough to complete their voyage safely, the box was given to a priest, who would then open it up at Christmas so that the contents could be given to the poor.)
The 26th of December actually has its origins in a much more noble (and less painful) practice. It is said to have begun in England during the Middle Ages, when the servants of wealthy families had to work on Christmas Day. (Come on, did you think those princes and princesses cooked their own Noche Buena? Of course not.)
To make up for it, the said servants were given the day off the morning after to visit their families and to celebrate Christmas as they wished. Before they left on their respective outings, each servant would receive from their master a box containing gifts, bonuses, or even leftover food from the previous night’s feast. In some variations, these Christmas boxes also referred to the ones that tradespeople would collect from their clients on the first working day after the holiday in gratitude for their services throughout the year.
In another variation of the origin story, Boxing Day refers to the boxes placed inside the churches to collect money for the poor. These donation boxes are then opened the day after Christmas and distributed among the less fortunate. (Another spin on the tale has a sealed box onboard sailing ships for good luck. If the ship was lucky enough to complete their voyage safely, the box was given to a priest, who would then open it up at Christmas so that the contents could be given to the poor.)
Today, Boxing Day is celebrated with family and friends, and the first working day after Christmas is considered a bank holiday. These parties are usually open gatherings with food, friendship, and familial love in abundance. Boxing Day feasts are also great for repurposing leftovers from Christmas dinner. Slices of roasted turkey or baked ham are served as sandwiches or as a complete meal with vegetables, gravy, and stuffing.
So, why does Australia celebrate Boxing Day while we don’t? The answer’s quite simple: the practice originated in the United Kingdom, in England particularly, so it spread throughout all its colonies. Since Australia is counted as one and continues to be part of the Commonwealth, the Boxing Day tradition naturally figured into its overall culture.
So, why does Australia celebrate Boxing Day while we don’t? The answer’s quite simple: the practice originated in the United Kingdom, in England particularly, so it spread throughout all its colonies. Since Australia is counted as one and continues to be part of the Commonwealth, the Boxing Day tradition naturally figured into its overall culture.
11 Fast Facts About Boxing DayBoxing Day traditionally lands on 26th December each year.
Boxing Day is celebrated all over the world, just to name a few countries that celebrate this day are: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Greenland, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
In South Africa, Boxing Day is known as “Day of Goodwill”.
In Ireland they call Boxing Day “St. Stevens Day”.
In other continental European countries, it is known as “Christmas II” or “Second Christmas Day”.
Boxing Day traditions depend on the location, however it includes shopping, giving money and gifts to the less fortunate, and a day of watching sporting events like horse racing and football.
On Boxing Day 2004 a massive earthquake created a tsunami around the Indian Ocean resulting in the deaths of over 300,000 people.
In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK, Boxing Day is the heaviest shopping day of the year.
Boxing Day is one of the British bank holidays recognized since 1871.
On Boxing Day in the UK, the most popular online searches for shopping are sale items.
National Candy Cane Day is celebrated 26th December every year in the United States.
Boxing Day is celebrated all over the world, just to name a few countries that celebrate this day are: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Greenland, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
In South Africa, Boxing Day is known as “Day of Goodwill”.
In Ireland they call Boxing Day “St. Stevens Day”.
In other continental European countries, it is known as “Christmas II” or “Second Christmas Day”.
Boxing Day traditions depend on the location, however it includes shopping, giving money and gifts to the less fortunate, and a day of watching sporting events like horse racing and football.
On Boxing Day 2004 a massive earthquake created a tsunami around the Indian Ocean resulting in the deaths of over 300,000 people.
In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK, Boxing Day is the heaviest shopping day of the year.
Boxing Day is one of the British bank holidays recognized since 1871.
On Boxing Day in the UK, the most popular online searches for shopping are sale items.
National Candy Cane Day is celebrated 26th December every year in the United States.
ACTION STEP: Perhaps give a present to the less fortunate today. As a family start the tradition of working in a Soup Kitchen or taking items to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a Mission. Box up leftovers and take to a food pantry. Think up some ideas and share them with me. I think it's a grand idea for Holiday Comeback! Happy Boxing Day!
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