2006-12-27 06:04:07 · 12 answers · asked by Susan 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
The name of the day goes back to medieval times, more than 800 years ago, when alms boxes were placed at the back of every church to collect money for the poor. Traditionally, it is on this day that the alms box at every English church is opened and the contents are distributed to the poor.
Historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with Christmas boxes.
2006-12-27 06:08:17 · answer #1 · answered by Barry G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
26th December is St Stephen's Feast Day. St Stephen was the first recorded Christian Martyr (see Acts of the Apostles). The Church( in the days before the Welfare State) used to invite the wealthy to put money in Alms Boxes throughout the Year. At Christmas time, these boxes were emptied and the money distributed to the very poor and destitute of the parish. The feast of St Stephen was generally the day for distribution of the poor money, - Boxing Day.
2006-12-27 14:11:44 · answer #2 · answered by Raymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On the day after Christmas people gave tradesmen money. In England this is called "Boxing Day" because boys used to go round collecting money in clay boxes. When the boxes were full, they broke them open. Today as you are aware Boxing Day is a public holiday on which people can unwind after the Christmas period.
2006-12-27 14:15:59 · answer #3 · answered by missey01_uk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone will be beating the c**p out of various family members by then!
Here in Switzerland it is called St Stephens Day and all the Swiss look at me funny when I say boxing day!
2006-12-27 17:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by the real swiss tony 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Historically its the day when the better off people handed out boxes of foodstuffs ,clothing etc; to the poor people on St Stephens day the day after Christmas day
2006-12-27 14:07:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All i know is that everything at tha stores are for real cheap on boxing day but i never get to go b-cus every year i'm broke on that day.;(
2006-12-27 15:52:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My uncle told me about this yesterday. I always thought it was the day that people return their christmas presents. But now i'm not so sure anymore. Try this website: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/boxingday1.html
2006-12-27 14:43:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, gifts were opened on that day - only exchanged on the 25th.
(Would give lots of time to admire the wrapping and wonder what's inside!)
2006-12-27 14:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by tigglys 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
people like to look at boxing matches on that day
2006-12-27 14:07:18 · answer #9 · answered by naughty boy 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I agree with Barry G
2006-12-27 14:09:16 · answer #10 · answered by Star 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋