Boxing Day

December 26th. The day after Christmas. A national holiday in England, Australia, New Zealand and Canada... yet not here in the States!

But what exactly is Boxing Day?

I've always assumed that it was the servants day off, since they would have had to have worked on Christmas. Their employers would give them gift boxes, and so the name "Boxing Day" came about.

Another explanation goes back to medieval times, when alms boxes were placed at the back of churches to collect money for the poor. It was on "Boxing Day" day that the boxes were opened and the contents distributed to the poor.

A third reason dates back to the late 18th century, when Lords of the manor would "box up" leftover food (and the occassional gift) and hand them out to their tenants. This tradition continues today, as it is customary for householders to give tips or gifts to regular trades people (such as the milkman, dustman, coalman, or paper boy) who come by the house.

With the recent bans and waning popular support, fox hunting, another "Boxing Day" tradition is also rapidly falling by the wayside. The days of riders dressed in red and white, following their hounds out after the vermin fox, are surely numbered.

As in the States, the big "After Christmas" holiday sales start, but other than that why do we Brits still celebrate "Boxing Day"? Who the hell knows... just another reason for a paid day off I suppose, and no, it has nothing to do with boxing!!!