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"There are disparate theories as to the origins of the term. The more common stories include:
In feudal times, Christmas was a reason for a gathering of extended families. All the serfs would gather their families in the manor of their lord, which made it easier for the lord of the estate to hand out annual stipends to the serfs. After all the Christmas parties on December 26th, the lord of the estate would give practical goods such as cloth, grains, and tools to the serfs who lived on his land. Each family would get a box full of such goods the day after Christmas. Under this explanation, there was nothing voluntary about this transaction; the lord of the manor was obliged to supply these goods. Because of the boxes being given out, the day was called Boxing Day.
In Britain many years ago, it was common practice for the servants to carry boxes to their employers when they arrived for their day's work on the day after Christmas. Their employers would then put coins in the boxes as special end-of-year gifts. This can be compared with the modern day concept of Christmas bonuses. The servants carried boxes for the coins, hence the name Boxing Day.
In churches, it was traditional to open the church's donation box on Christmas Day, and the money in the donation box was to be distributed to the poorer or lower class citizens on the next day. In this case, the "box" in "Boxing Day" comes from that one gigantic lockbox in which the donations were left.
The origins of Boxing Day can be traced back to regular punch-ups caused by excessive intake of alcohol by the aristocracy. It became popular and a pastime for families with unsettled issues of wealth and status.
Boxing Day was the day when the wren, the king of birds,[3] was captured and put in a box and introduced to each household in the village when he would be asked for a successful year and a good harvest. See Frazer's Golden Bough.
Evidence can also be found in Wassail songs such as:
Where are you going ? said Milder to Malder,
Oh where are you going ? said Fessel to Foe,
I'm going to hunt the cutty wren said Milder to Malder,
I'm going to hunt the cutty wren said John the Rednose.
And what will you do wi' it ? said Milder to Malder,
And what will you do wi' it ? said Fessel to Foe,
I'll put it in a box said Milder to Malder,
I'll put it in a box said John the Rednose.
etc.
Because the staff had to work on such an important day as Christmas Day by serving the master of the house and their family, they were given the following day off. Since being kept away from their own families to work on a traditional religious holiday and not being able to celebrate Christmas Dinner, the customary benefit was to 'box' up the left over food from Christmas Day and send it away with the servants and their families. Hence the 'boxing' of food became 'boxing day'. "
2006-12-24 19:50:20
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Boxing day - because all the rich folk were so gluttonous and drunk, that they started fighting, entertainment for the peasants.
And to make sure those at the back got a good view they stood on boxes.
On a sombre note if the rick people over exerted themselves, they popped their clogs and were put in a box - : )
2006-12-24 21:05:28
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answer #2
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answered by dancingmaveric 3
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Jehovah's Witnesses are guided through Bible concepts whilst making such judgements. besides the actuality that Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day would possibly no longer seem to have pagan and/or nationalistic origins evaluate its beginning: what's Boxing Day? Boxing Day is an afternoon the better instructions gave presents to the decrease instructions. till now or on December twenty 5th human beings of comparable type would substitute presents to rejoice the Christmas season. presents weren't exchanged with the decrease type till day after at present called Boxing Day. it is likewise generally happening as St. Stephen’s Day. Why is the trip named Boxing Day? the trip is termed Boxing Day because of the fact the custom of giving presents of money, nutrition, clothing and different products to the fewer fortunate have been placed into containers for extra handy transportation. the products have been dispensed based on the family members needs and their centers to the giver. purpose of coaching the beginning and historic previous of Boxing Day Boxing Day formally began in England in direction of the nineteen century below the guideline of Queen Victoria. even regardless of the indisputable fact that, many adults and young babies do no longer understand the genuine meaning of Boxing Day and its motives for celebrating. It replaced right into an afternoon to thank the community for all their attempt during the years. The maids, drivers and different provider workers have been thanked with presents of nutrition, funds, clothing, and different products. because of the fact the positioning extra notes, it particularly is an extension of the Christmas season. because of the fact the decrease type had to paintings Christmas Day serving the purposes of the top type, the top type created this day to make themselves sense extra constructive approximately exploiting others. no count the way you attempt to dress this up - that's linked with Christmas.
2016-12-15 07:39:42
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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boxing day
it is tomorrow
once you happy eating your meal xmas meal
all the left overs are put in boxes and send to servants to eat
that is the orig ion
but pple start to do some different things to be more attached to religion like for instance separating between the food and the gifts .so instead of food they put gifts and the servants share the food the very first day
2006-12-24 19:53:46
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Something about a British embargo on chinese marijuana exports,that led to a riot by so call Boxers in Shanghai,in the 18 century.
2006-12-24 19:53:41
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answer #5
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answered by siaosi 5
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