Over the years, I’ve heard my British friends talk about Boxing Day. It sounded like a day where you give all the Christmas gifts you didn’t want away to other people. Sort of like spring cleaning immediately after Christmas.
Being an anti-clutter person, I can say that I am in! But am I misunderstanding what Boxing Day is about? Apparently so.
Celebrated on December 26, primarily in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries Boxing Day was traditionally, a day to give gifts (or “boxes”) to service workers, the poor, and those who had served during the Christmas season. These boxes often contained money, food, or clothing.
This goes all the way back to the Middle Ages in Britain. It likely emerged from two key traditions:
- Alms boxes that were placed in churches to collect donations for the less fortunate. On the day after Christmas, the contents were distributed to the needy.
- Gifts to servants and tradespeople: Wealthy families would give their servants a “Christmas box,” which was a gift of money or leftovers from the feast, and give them the day off to visit their own families. Similarly, tradespeople such as postmen and butchers were also given “boxes” as a thank-you for their services throughout the year.
Today, Boxing Day is more of a public holiday with a focus on, you guessed it, shopping. And sports-watching. Just like in the US, the day after Christmas marks the beginning of post-Christmas sales. And even though you can’t possibly NEED any more stuff, that doesn’t mean you won’t go buy it because it’s such a great deal.
Financial Advisors wept.
Although the charitable aspect has faded in some places, the tradition of giving still holds meaning for many, with some using the day for donations or volunteering. So, thank goodness for that!
Happy holidays to you! Back to business in January.
