Whats the reason behind Boxing day ?
2006-12-12 10:26:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
This December 26 holiday is celebrated in Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand.
According the the World Book Encyclopedia,"the traditional celebration of Boxing Day includes giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, needy individuals and people in service jobs." Typically, people give presents to postal workers or spend the day volunteering."
The World Book Encyclopedia also states that although the holiday may date from the Middle Ages( A.D. 400s to 1500s) the exact origin is unknown. A number of theories attempt to explain how the day came to be, all centering around boxes and giving to the less fortunate.
Boxing Day coincides with St. Stephen's Day. Although some sites don't differentiate between the two, they are two distinct holidays with different customs and celebrations.
2006-12-12 11:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by pessimoptimist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of several reasons behind 'Boxing Day'. I beleive it originated in Britain. It is observed by commonwealth countries. All I know is that for me, it's a paid day off and a really busy day at the mall!
2006-12-12 10:32:42 · answer #2 · answered by sapphire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boxing Day is the day you box up all the gifts you don't want and take them back to the store.
2006-12-16 06:38:36 · answer #3 · answered by Michael 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is more than one opinion as to the original form of the tradition (see below)
Either the day for opening the church charity box for distributing to the poor, or the day for nobles and landowners to give their servants gifts and the day off after they had worked for them, providing the traditional feast, on Christmas day.
This spread gradually to the idea of a Christmas bonus or "Box" especially for estate workers and certain tradespeople.
2006-12-12 10:47:15 · answer #4 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋