Boxing Day
About Boxing Day
Date When Celebrated: December 26 holiday. However, if Christmas falls on a Friday or a Saturday, it is held the following Monday.
Boxing Day is celebrated in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and other former British commonwealth countries. Like Christmas, it is a day of giving. And, it is a day off for servants. The recipients are servants who worked on Christmas Day, and the poor and needy within the community. It is a legal holiday in these countries. This is also St. Stephans Day, where Boxing Day gets some of its roots. On St. Stephans Day, churches opened their collection boxes to the poor.
Boxing Day was an expression of appreciation and thanks, much like Christmas tips are today.
The roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages. On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate.
Usually celebrated the day after Christmas, some would celebrate the following Monday when Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday.
Today, the giving of boxes includes filling boxes with food and clothing for the needy and performing volunteer work. Monetary gifts to charity are also common.
How to Celebrate Boxing Day
- If you have servants, give them gifts to show your appreciation for their service to you.
- Go over your list of people who provide a service to you and to who you gave a special tip for the holiday season. Did you forget the newspaper carrier.!? Send a gift to anyone who you missed.
- Donate to the poor and needy in your community.
Today's Quote
“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering “It will be happier.” – – Alfred Lord Tennyson
History and Origin of Boxing Day
The roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages. On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate.
More About Today
What happened on this Day? This Day in History
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