There are disparate theories as to the origins of the term. The more common stories include:
It was the day when people would give a present or Christmas 'box' to those who have worked for them throughout the year. This is still done in Britain for postmen and paper-boys - though now the 'box' is usually given before Christmas, not after.
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 26 December, 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 England 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 lockbox in which the donations were left.
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...
2006-12-26 06:55:40
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The correct name for the 26th December is St Stephens' Day. It's a saints day of worship. The boxing part is that it is on that day the population gaves alms to the poor of the parish, money was put into alms boxes in the churches.
2006-12-26 07:00:33
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answer #2
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answered by tucksie 6
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In England 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.
2006-12-26 06:56:42
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answer #3
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answered by c1001838 2
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It was a day to gift the servants.
There are disparate theories as to the origins of the term. The more common stories include:
It was the day when people would give a present or Christmas 'box' to those who have worked for them throughout the year. This is still done in Britain for postmen and paper-boys - though now the 'box' is usually given before Christmas, not after.
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 26 December, 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 England 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 lockbox in which the donations were left.
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 leftover food from Christmas Day and send it away with the servants and their families. Hence the "boxing" of food became "Boxing Day".
2006-12-26 07:03:09
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answer #4
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answered by redunicorn 7
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Many year´s ago the rich people gave there unwanted gift´s and food, to the servent´s and the poor people , this is where boxing day came from, not as many people think , because the boxing is always on the TV on boxing day Merry Christmas
2006-12-26 07:00:14
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Boxing day comes from the time as quickly as all of us opened our provides or Christmas bins. We rejoice the start of Jesus on the twenty 5th Dec however the three clever men and the Shepherds did no longer get to the best till the following day at which era they gave their provides to Jesus or Christmas bins. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh that have been provides in good shape for a real king and the shepherds gave a lamb for the lamb of God. Have a chuffed Christmas and could your god be with you.
2016-10-28 10:03:49
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Years ago servants turned up at work with empty boxes and filled them with leftover treats and small gifts from the Christmas day celebrations of their employers.
2006-12-26 07:01:37
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answer #7
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answered by floss 4
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I think it's an older holiday that originated in England. When more houses had servants, the house owners or "masters" would give their servants gifts.. as for why it's called boxing day, i guess it's cause they would give them a box or a present.
2006-12-26 06:59:04
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answer #8
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answered by sharpie_sweetheart 2
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It is theday when, many years ago, household servants got a day off....and went round the wealthy friend of their employers..with abox in which they received gifts (usually money)...hence BOXing day
2006-12-26 07:45:08
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answer #9
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answered by alan h 1
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The day Rocky Marciano retired as undefeated heavy weight champion of the world.
2006-12-26 06:56:47
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answer #10
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answered by robert m 7
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