December 26 is not only a day for Santa Claus!
How can we accurately define what Boxing Day is? Is it through its history and tradition or simply through the large numbers of arguments surrounding the origins of this special name?
Boxing day might be misleading concerning the true nature of the meaning which has nothing to do with the sport. On the contrary, it is a national holiday in late December, a day to spend with family and friends not seen on Christmas Day itself.
Where does this unusual name comes from?
Perhaps the origin of this day, on Thursday 26th of December, might be connected to the National Bank Holiday in the UK and Ireland, but there are also interesting multiple theories emerging thick and fast around this unique day about the origins of the term.
In this regard, one of the theories attributed to a ‘Christmas Box’. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’, filled with Christmas presents, from their master. Another viewpoint is a reference to charity drives: where postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box to place in Churches on Christmas day. The name could refer also to a nautical tradition for which great sailing ships, when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck. Were the voyage a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents were then distributed to the poor.
Therefore, snap out of the clichés and discover a world in which boxing day is alien to the sport of boxing. Nevertheless, in recent times, this day has become synonymous with sport and activities such as horse racing with meets all over the country, jumping in icy water for charity but also shopping, as the sport which people are attempting to do the most. Going to the shops, looking-for the best deal. Finally, many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.
Diving in the cultural aspects of December 26, some bizarre traditions are taking places. Such an example is the major tradition of fox hunting, aiming to have fun and celebrate the day. Moreover, fun runs and charity events following the story of “St. Stephen’s Day”” named after the Saint stoned to death for believing in Jesus, in Ireland. This tradition has now changed into a parade around town and collecting money for charity.
A-part of the dark traditions behind this feast, for many people, Boxing Day is a time to organize a rich buffet to enjoy leftovers from Christmas lunch.