Thursday, December 25, 2008

Boxing Day

Umm... What do you say to people on Boxing day? Happy Boxing day? Boxing Day Blessings?
Here's Yer Box, you lower class person, you?

I don't fully understand the reasoning and/or meaning behind Boxing Day, (other than it's a public holiday... and I have no problems with that at all) so I went merrily a-googling, and found this:

What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a day the higher classes gave gifts to the lower classes. Before or on December 25th people of similar class would exchange gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. Gifts were not exchanged with the lower class (which includes household servants and service personnel) until the next day... called Boxing Day. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.

Why is the holiday named Boxing Day?
The holiday is named Boxing Day because the tradition of giving gifts of cash, food, clothing and other goods to the less fortunate, and were placed into boxes for easier transportation. The goods were distributed based on the family needs and their services to the giver.


Who celebrates Boxing Day?
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and other Commonwealth Countries celebrate Boxing Day on December 26th.


In Australia and Canada, Boxing Day is now primarily known as a shopping holiday, and a time where stores have sales, often with dramatic price decreases. For many merchants, it has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In recent years, this has been expanded to "Boxing Week". While Boxing Day is actually on 26 December, many retailers who hold Boxing Day Sales will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year's Eve.

See? That's what I love about this country.
It has a legal public holiday set aside as a shopping day!

And I don't know about you, but when I receive gifts of money, it's usually in the form of a few bills or even a check - and it's always in a small envelope. I have never received a box full of money... although it sure would come in handy for all those Boxing Day sales, wouldn't it?

Whatever the meaning behind it, or whether you celebrate the day or not.... May your day be blessed!

4 comments:

Kathy said...

Well, I hope you got some shopping deals on Boxing Day. I don't know if I will brave the crowds tomorrow. Had a great dinner with friends today. But, we are glad to be home again. I am alread in my pj's and robe and it's only 7:30

su said...

Funny it is still dark here in my corner of the world and cold. I was startled to see your blog posted already. Then I realized hope you had a grande Boxing day to fill the pockets of the merchants who can then gift the lower classes..

Sherri said...

hmmmm boxing day huh? When I saw the title of this post, my first thought was, I didn't know that Australians were that into boxing that they would make it a holiday...hahaha This on the other hand makes more since. Happy Boxing Day Kate!

Tatersmama said...

No shopping deals for me, I'm afraid. It was a rather lean year here for various reasons, and I'm busy saving for a plane ticket anyway. :o)


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