BOXING DAY'S ORIGINS
Not to cause a kerfuffle, but like many traditions of yore, Boxing Day's
origins are debatable. Some believe the holiday began with early Christian
churches providing alms boxes for parishioners to donate to the poor. On
the Feast Day of St. Stephen—acknowledged for his charitable acts—the
boxes were opened and distributed to the less fortunate. So it makes
sense that St. Stephen's Day, which falls on December 26, evolved into
Boxing Day.
It's also widely speculated that the observance dates back to the 17th
century. Because the servants of wealthy lords and aristocrats typically
worked on Christmas Day, they observed Christmas the next day,
December 26. Employers would send their staff home with Yuletide boxes
filled with gifts, money, and leftovers. These symbolic tokens gave life to
what we've come to know as Boxing Day.
Whatever the truth may be, it's generally agreed that the tradition began
in Britain as a day devoted to generosity.
A DEEP DIVE INTO BOXING DAY.
The
Day After
On the day after Christmas, stores are
bustling with shoppers, hockey fans are
glued to television sets, and families
gather for day-after feasts—it's Boxing
Day! Celebrated on December 26, Boxing
Day is recognized in the U.K. and British
Commonwealth countries, like Canada.
Follow along as we explore this national
holiday, eh?
32 COMING HOME MAGAZINE
