2007-12-21 19:15:20 · 7 answers · asked by Theverb 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Giving a Christmas-box -> boxing-day.
The celebration dates back to the middle ages consisting of the practice of giving of gifts to serfs (medival workers who had worked for their lords throughout the year).
After all the Christmas parties on 26 December, the lord of the estate would give each family a box full of practical goods (like cloth, grains, and tools).
Christmas days was a holiday for everyone except the servants, boxing day was a holiday for the servants.
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.
2007-12-21 20:33:38 · answer #1 · answered by Parwez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of different theories, but from what I understand it started in the middle ages when the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened. The money and other contents were distributed on December 26.
As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them.
2007-12-22 03:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by beatgirl79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true, updated purpose of Boxing Day is to recover from the drunk of Christmas Day when people who are into that sort of thing imbibe too much and suffer the alcohol poisoning of the previous day. One day, very soon, it will be called Recovery Day.
2007-12-22 03:45:15 · answer #3 · answered by Mary M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a couple of very good answers to the question which you posed. Whilst not being British myself, I did grow up under the banner of the commonwealth. Boxing day to my knowledge was the boxing up of leftovers. (It could be anything - clothing; food; coins; soap; candles etc.) to be distributed to the poor/workers on the day after you have "gorged" yourself stupid. I also believe that it was mainly a female activity ...
2007-12-22 04:24:48 · answer #4 · answered by mx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The origins are a bit obscure, and there are different theories; but the closest thing to a consensus is that it's a day off for the household help, who didn't really get Christmas off because they had to help make & serve Christmas dinner.
2007-12-22 03:19:44 · answer #5 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After spending Christmas Day gorging your extravagant meals, you are supposed to box up your leftovers and distribute them to those in need.
2007-12-22 04:05:06 · answer #6 · answered by camel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take back the Christmas presents that you do not like.
2007-12-22 03:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by jujubeee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋