I have always noticed this date on calendar (12/26) and always wanted to know what kind of a holiday is it? and what traditions are done on this date? When did Boxing Day begin? What was its purpose?

Thanks for any info you can impart.

Deb - I posted this in the 'tickle me elbow' thread a couple of weeks ago.

Boxing Day also known as St Stephen's Day
****************************************
The name of the day goes back to medieval times, more than 800 years ago, when alms boxes were placed at the back of every church to collect money for the poor. Traditionally, it is on this day that the alms box at every English church is opened and the contents are distributed to the poor. copyright of projectbritain.com

Historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with Christmas boxes.

Interesting Facts
The Christmas boxes were made from clay and were not made in the shape of a box. They were hollow clay balls with a slit in the top.

Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other Commonwealth nations.


During the late 18th century, Lords and Ladies of the manor would "box up" their leftover food, or sometimes gifts and distribute them the day after Christmas to tenants who lived and worked on their lands.

The tradition of giving money still continues today. It is customary for householders to give small gifts or monetary tips to regular visiting trades people (the milkman, dustman, coalman, paper boy etc.) and, in some work places, for employers to give a Christmas bonus to employees.

Where I am, in Canada, Boxing Day has become a major shopping frenzy. Amazing sales. When I was a child boxing day was a lovely day when everything was still closed and we spent the day playing board games and visiting friends. What does the USA have the day after Christmas?

The usa doesnt do anything lol, all they do is mark down the christmas stuff and people fight over the cheap wrapping paper, and everyone goes and returns the things that they dont like or dont want and everyone goes back to work, unless u are lucky and get the week off. I wish we had soemthing like boxing day here in the us.

paula

Nothing. We go back to work

In Germany, Dec. 26th is a holiday. Presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve after coming home from church (around 7:00 PM). Children are allowed to stay and play with their new toys until they drop, some last until after midnight.

Christmas Day is called the first Christmas Day, and you have a quiet day with only your immediate family. What is here Boxing Day is the Second Christmas Day, and it is for visiting family and friends. Very few people have to go back to work the next day, most have the week off.

I think Germany does it up right!

I want to move to Germany!

Well to all who celebrate this day, enjoy!

work



Is there a UK/Commonwealth holiday where the "boses" have to trade jobs with the "employees" for a day?

Not in the UK unfortunately ....but there should be !!

Here in Australia it is exactly as you describe in Canada. Somehow it has become a major shopping frenzy also with people lining up at 7.00am to get the best bargains. We had a beautiful sunny and warm day here of about 26 celsius so the last think I wanted to do was battle the crowds at the shops.

7:00 am? That's late. Here they were lined up since about 4 or 5 a.m. at Best Buy and Future Shop. As for me, I had Christmas Eve and Day off and then had to come in to work early today because someone else called in sick. At least it's time and half.

Has anyone ever heard of the British English Crackers and are they used in the celebration of Boxing Day? They look like they are a lot of fun, I was thinking of using them next Christmas!

Hi Amber here in SA shops weren't open til today and retailers moaning and groaning they will"lose" $80 million in revenue then in the next breath they are saying they expect $100 million in sales today

Doesn't matter when the sales are on people still have the same amount of money to spend and will spend it regardless

Hi Tavi
Do you mean this sort of thing??? (as opposed to cracker you eat)
You guys don't have this????

Crackers are not specifically a 'boxing day' thing - mainly xmas day and any other day over the xmas period where you all sit down to dinner.

We set ours round the dining table - to be pulled with the person next to you - there's usually a small gift and a joke inside - but I don't make them!! ....dear gawd no!! (I'm not that good ) nope, get them at the supermarket.

Got me wondering now - what's the purpose and reason behind christmas crackers?...mmmmm

From my experience this Christmas, it seems like their purpose is to teach small children the art of telling truely terrible jokes!

boxing day was traditionaly when everyone would open their christmas presents, even though they would be recieved on the 25th

its extra special for me because its my birthday