Happy Boxing day!!!

[andrewjonathon]

Similar to some of the information above, here is what FactMonster.com has to say about the history of Boxing Day:

"Despite its name, Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages.

Some 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 gift boxes.

Church Alms Boxes

Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen.

As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them."

The key thing seems to be that the actual origins are somewhat obscure.

[mloik]

It has its origin in England (Victorian times?), in which the "masters" of the home would provide a small monetary gift to their staff. The gift would be put in a ceramic container, also known as the "box". On Boxing Day, the staff would get their bonus for the year.

[JoeKoh]

Thats what my understanding was. you trade positions with someone.
stay safe
joe

[cherokee woman]

If I remember an episode of M*A*S*H correctly, they had some British
soldiers with them for Christmas. The British Colonel (or whatever
he was) told Potter, et. al, about Boxing Day: where officers and en-
listed traded positions. For example, the British Colonel traded
positions with his secretary, or whomever the guy was that ran his
office.

Maybe some of our UK friends can fill us in as to what Boxing Day
really is.

[Anonymous]

Boxing Day.....it's just the day after Christmas, always has been.

I never even knew that you folks down south didn't celebrate it.

I was always told it was called boxing day because this is the day that you take all your Christmas decorations and box them back up until next year.

It's another day off work, that's all I know. [:)]

[Richard A]

I used to work with several people from Toronto, Canada back in the '80s. Each of them had a slightly different explanation of what Boxing Day was really for or how it came to be. But they all agreed the day off work was okay. :)

Actually, each of them did something similar on this day and what they did fits the encyclopedia explanation of the day. It comes from an Engli***radition of doing something for people in need, ie. gifts of food, clothing, etc. or volunterring time to charitable organizations.

Today some Canadians give small gifts to public employees -- mail carriers, police officers, firemen, etc.

[Anonymous]

gabe- I have been wondering that to. My aunt moved to canada a couple years ago. I've asked her about it and she still hasn't figured out what they are celebrating. The funny thing is everyone she asks, even those who have lived there all their life, don't even know. SHe said the most common response is "I'm not sure what we are celebrating, but it gives me a day off work so I can't complain." The mystery continues!
Andrew

[gabe]

What is Boxing day anyway, I have always wondered. It sounds like a cool holiday.

Gabe

[JoeKoh]

to our friends in England and Canada Happy Boxing Day!! I would trade spots with Matt but he can't reach the pedals and I wont fit in a car seat.[;)]
stay safe
Joe and Matt