The meaning of Boxing Day

I was surprised that not a lot of people know the origins or the meaning of Boxing Day so I decided to investigate it myself.

It’s nothing to do with the start of the sales.

 Or as my Auntie Gladys said 

“oh it’s to do with horse racing “

Perhaps she thinks it’s origins are to do with the boxes they are transported in.

It’s nothing to do with the sport of boxing either.

  Nor has it come over from the States.  They actually recognise it as a celebration of boxes, especially cardboard ones.  Seems an odd fact to me or is it a typical

American thing.

In fact it’s an old tradition started here in the UK, if Wikipedia is to be believed.

It’s from a time when people in service were given the day off and presented with a gift box by their masters.

They would then go to their own families with their gift box and have their own celebrations.

It’s a  holiday recognised in many countries and is also  St. Stephen’s Day.

Link for more information as noted in the diaries of Samuel Pepy

Over on fellow blogger Elizabeth’s post there’s even more details 

link to Elizabeth’s blog