Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Boxing Day

The second day of Christmas is also called Boxing Day in some countries. It is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, which is also St. Stephen's Day, a religious holiday.

According to Wikipedia, the exact etymology of the term "boxing" is unclear. The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages. It may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era, wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen. 

In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service. Another English tradition was to allow the servants of the wealthy to visit their families on the day after Christmas, since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

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