Boxing Day

We know the day after Christmas as Boxing Day, and we know that the TV shows a lot of advertisments for the Boxing Dy Sales, but what is Boxing Day really?
There are a few different versions of what Boxing day is:-

*it was the day one boxes up unwanted gifts to take back to the shop;

*it was the day servants would be given a gift for working on Christmas Day;

*it was the day money collected by the church would be given to the poor;


Boxing Day originates from the martyrdom of St Stephen who helped the poor. It began in the middle ages with wooden alms boxes that were opened the day after Christmas in honour of St Stephen. In 1663, Samuel Pepys wrote about paying the shoemaker, and giving to the boys box for Christmas. Churches would display a donation box and the money raised would be given to the poor on Boxing Day.

However, the term Boxing Day started during the Victorian era. During Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901), when servants worked for the wealthy on Christmas Day, they would be given the next day off to spend with their families. Each servant would be given a gift and left over food to take home to their family. This tradition continues today with some workers being given a "Christmas Bonus".

In Australia, and most Commonwealth Countries, Boxing Day is a public holiday and we traditionally eat the left overs from Christmas Day. Boxing day is also when many sporting events take place. Here in Australia, it is the day of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Ashes Test cricket match. There are also great price reductions in the shops, and shoppers rush to the sales on Boxing Day.

26th December is also St Stephen's Day.