Boxing Day, the day after Christmas Day is celebrated in some countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Have you ever wondered why 26 December is known as Boxing Day?
There are a few variations to the origins of Boxing Day:
- Boxing Day was said to originate some 800 years ago in the UK where the churches’ alms boxes, collection boxes for the poor were opened up so that the contents can be distributed to the poor people. Some churches still open their collection boxes on Boxing Day.
- Years ago on the day after Christmas, servants in Britain carried boxes to their masters and their masters will deposit coins into the boxes as the servants’ special gift. The servants will then go home to their families with their Christmas boxes.
- In the old nautical tradition the sailing ships have a sealed box full of money on board for good luck. Upon the successful completion of a voyage the box will be handed over to a priest and opened at Christmas and the money will be handed out to the poor.
- Centuries ago, people from the merchant class gave boxes of food to tradespeople and servants the day after Christmas as a way of tipping them to express their gratitude for having served them well.
No matter what variety of Boxing Day origins are there, the modern day Boxing Day is usually spent celebrating with family and friends over good food and fun. The Boxing Day feast will usually consists of leftovers from Christmas like turkey and baked ham.
Boxing Day is a national holiday in the UK and Ireland. Boxing Day is also a day when the British takes part in various funny and silly games like swimming in the freezing cold English Channel.
How do you usually spend your Boxing Day? Do you celebrate Boxing Day? Share with us by commenting below.
