2006-12-18 23:13:44 · 12 answers · asked by minnie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
it originates from years ago when rich people had their servants working for them on Xmas day to help them with the celabrations. then on the next day the servants were allowed home to spend xmas with their family and any left overs were boxed up and taken with them. also I heard it was connected with giving gifts to delivery people - postman etc in boxes.
2006-12-18 23:16:32 · answer #1 · answered by zanoshi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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 until the next day called Boxing Day - Pressies came in boxes thus the day was called Boxing Day
2006-12-18 23:21:46 · answer #2 · answered by cuttiiee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above answers all contain different ideas about Boxing Day. The following gives comprehensive details:
Boxing Day originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. December 26th, or Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries. It is spent with family and friends at open gatherings with lots of food, fun, friendship and love. Boxing Day is so called because it was the custom on that day for tradesmen to collect their Christmas boxes or gifts in return for good and reliable service throughout the year. Boxing Day is also St. Stephen's Day. St Stephen was a little known saint who achieved eternal fame by being the first Christian to be martyred for his faith by being stoned to death shortly after Christ's crucifixion.
The traditional celebration of Boxing Day included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, needy individuals, and people in service jobs. The holiday may date from the Middle Ages (A.D. 400's--1500's), but the exact origin is unknown. It may have begun with the lords and ladies of England, who presented Christmas gifts in boxes to their servants on December 26. Or it may have begun with priests, who opened the church's alms (charity) boxes on the day after Christmas and distributed the contents to the poor.
Some say the tradition stems from Roman times when money to pay for athletic games was collected in boxes. Amongst the ruins of Pompeii, boxes made out of earthenware with slits in the top full of coins have been found. Later the Romans brought the idea of collecting boxes to Britain, and monks and clergy soon used similar boxes to collect money for the poor at Christmas. On the day after Christmas, the priests used to open the boxes and distribute the contents to the poor of the village. Thus this day came to be called Boxing Day.
While government buildings and small businesses are closed, the malls are filled with people either exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing day is classed as the Christmas Season with Boxing day falling on the following Monday if December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
2006-12-18 23:26:51 · answer #3 · answered by lianhua 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There used to be collection boxes left in churches in England for people to donate money to the poor. On St Stephens' Day the boxes would be emptied and money distributed.
2006-12-18 23:16:17 · answer #4 · answered by Queen of the Stone Age 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boxing day comes from the time as quickly as all of us opened our grants or Christmas packing bins. We rejoice the delivery of Jesus on the twenty 5th Dec however the three smart adult adult males and the Shepherds did no longer get to the best till day after at present at which era they gave their grants to Jesus or Christmas packing bins. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh that have been grants greater healthful for a real king and the shepherds gave a lamb for the lamb of God. Have a satisfied Christmas and can your god be with you.
2016-10-15 05:42:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because this is the day they put things in a box to give it away to the poors as insollicited gifts. Salut.
2006-12-18 23:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by Nicolette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because we give gifts which is assumed to come in boxes a day after christmas.
2006-12-22 02:25:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are conflicting opinions and stories attached to the practise.
but most famously, it is due to the day's connection to gift 'boxes'.
2006-12-18 23:18:26 · answer #8 · answered by zackinstein 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people go boxing lessons
2006-12-19 00:34:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anthony 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are more than one reasons. Have a look at ...
2006-12-18 23:36:37 · answer #10 · answered by DolphinLami 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋