What is Boxing Day?

Happy Boxing Day to all my Canadian Friends and those who celebrate the day in the English speaking parts of the world. I looked up what Boxing Day is since I was raised in the Heartland of the USA.

According to factmonster--Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.

Church Alms Boxes

Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen.

As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them.

My Canadian publisher, Muse It Up Publishing is offering a 40% discount on Boxing Day. Check it out!