why is it called boxing day? what the reason for boxing to be the name?

Answer 1

According to a piece on CNN-it was typically the day that servants would get the supply of yearly goods from their employers. The staff in those big old estates in Egland would of course work the holiday season and didn't get time off, so the day after christmas the lord of the house would give them the years supply of dry goods and essentials (they cited items like leather, some fabrics, pantry stapels) and the staff would bring a large box to work that day to collect the offerings. Or, if you were a very nice person, you gave them a box. It had to do with giving tothe less fortunate. I guess if you could afford to live in an estate and maintain a huge staff, just about everyone was "less fortunate"!

Answer 2

December 26 was traditionally known as St. Stephen's Day, after the first Christian martyr. It is now more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed to the poor and needy after Christmas.

It is thought the Boxing Day was first observed in the Middle Ages. It found renewed popularity in the 19th Century when the lords and ladies of England presented gifts in boxes to their servants on 26 December in appreciation of the work they had done over the Christmas celebrations.

If 26 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Boxing Day takes place on the Monday.