History of Boxing Day
The exact origins of Boxing Day are somewhat unclear and there are several theories about its origin.
One theory is that the day was named after the custom of giving gifts to the poor, which was traditionally done the day after Christmas.
This practice was known as “boxing” the gifts, as the gifts were often placed in boxes or alms boxes that were placed in churches for the purpose of collecting donations for the poor.
Another theory is that Boxing Day was originally a holiday for servants and tradespeople, who would receive a “Christmas box” from their employers on the day after Christmas.
These boxes would typically contain gifts, money, and other treats, and were given as a way of thanking the servants and tradespeople for their hard work throughout the year.
A third theory is that it has its roots in ancient pagan traditions and was originally a celebration of the winter solstice. In this theory, the day was seen as a time of renewal and was marked with gift-giving and other festive traditions.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origins, Boxing Day is now a popular holiday in the United Kingdom and is celebrated with a variety of traditions, including gift-giving, and taking advantage of the many high-street store’s annual “Boxing Day Sales”.