Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th. It is a statutory holiday in the federal jurisdiction and in Ontario. If it falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the working day immediately preceding or following Boxing Day is considered a legal holiday.
Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".
Also related to the origin of Boxing Day is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents of these boxes were distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.
Today, Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other Commonwealth nations. It is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports such as soccer, horse racing and hunting are popular on this holiday. Retailers offer huge savings on many items on this day, making it the biggest shopping day of the year in Canada.
Throughout the Christmas season, many organizations keep the original tradition of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, energy, and money to fill the Food Bank and provide gifts for the poor.
Lady of the Mote
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9 comments:
Ok I'm going to be real honest here,,,I have no clue as to what this is...Oh Lord I hope its nothing something really spiritual that I've never know existed.
I learned something new once again! I like the idea of giving food to someone!
Thanks for the info! Very interesting. So, happy boxing day!
Good info. I didn't know all that. Looks cold and snowy there. Glad we didn't have all that snow when we were on Long Island. Sounds like your Christmas was great.
What a great holiday Boxing Day is! Hope you have a wonderful day! Wishing you a Happy New Year to! Hugs, Maryjane
It's such a sweet tradition. We only get one Christmas Day here, and I would love another celebration day!
xo Lidy
I cannot believe I am 50 years old and have heard this for the first time..its utterly amazing to me. Now today I've seen this mentioned on several blogs.
Thanks for sharing that! I wish we celebrated Boxing Day in America.
Thanks for the great explanation of Boxing Day. I knew it was a holiday in the UK but never knew its origins. Always happy to learn something new. Have a great New Year!
Karen
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