BOXING DAY

Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, that is celebrated on 26 December, which is also St. Stephen's Day, a religious holiday.

The origin of this holiday's name is not clear. It is known Boxing Day was started in the UK about 800 years ago, during the Middle Age. It was the day when the alms boxes for the poor often kept in churches were opened and their contents could be given to poor people. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day.  

Also in feudal times in the United Kingdom, the lord of the manor would 'pay' people who worked on his land in the past year with boxes practical goods, such as agricultural tools, food and cloth. These boxes were often distributed on the day after Christmas Day.

More recently, employers traditionally gave their servants a gift of money or food in a small box on the day after Christmas Day. Some people still give gifts known as a "Christmas box" to people who provide them with services.

Other stories relate to servants being allowed to take a portion of the food left over from the Christmas celebrations in a box to their families.

In recent times this day has become synonymous with sport. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. But in Britain, Canada and some states of Australia,  Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday. It is a time where shops have sales, often with dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest amount of returns.

Food and drink on Boxing Day are more relaxed than Christmas Day. Lunch will usually be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas lunch. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and, of course, mince pies or a slice of Christmas cake are almost obligatory.