Boxing Day is a national Bank Holiday, a day to spend with
family and friends and to eat up all the leftovers of Christmas Day. The
origins of the day, however, are steeped in history and tradition.
Why is it Called Boxing Day?
Arguments abound on the origins of the name Boxing Day. All
the answers below are valid, so maybe it is one, or even all of them.
The name is a reference to holiday gifts. A ‘Christmas
Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally
a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’
from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give
‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.
The name is a reference to charity drives. A box to
collect money for the poor traditionally and placed in Churches on Christmas
day and opened the next day - Boxing Day.
The name refers to a nautical tradition. Great sailing
ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for
good luck. Were the voyage a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at
Christmas and the contents then given to the poor.
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a national holiday in
the UK, Ireland and Canada.
Activities on Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends,
usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. In recent times, the day has
become synonymous with many sports. Horse racing is particularly popular with
meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.
Fox Hunting on Boxing Day
Until 2004, Boxing Day hunts were a traditional part of the
day, but the ban on fox hunting has put an end to this in its usual sense.
Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the
sound of the hunting horn. But, since it is now forbidden to chase the fox with
dogs, they now follow artificially laid trails.
The New Boxing Day Sport - Shopping
Another ‘sport’ to emerge in recent years is shopping.
Sadly, what was once a day of relaxation and family time sees the start of the
sales. Sales used to start in January, post-New Year, but the desire to grab a
bargain and for shops to off-load stock means many now begin on Boxing Day.
Food and Drink on Boxing Day
With guests often popping in for a snack or tipple the food and drink on Boxing Day are more relaxed than Christmas
Day.
Lunch will usually be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas
lunch. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and of course, mince
pies with brandy butter or a slice of Christmas cake or other dessert are almost obligatory.
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