What is Boxing Day?

I hope you had a lovely day yesterday! 

My family went to Church in the morning and then went to my Mum and Dad's for lunch and and a laid back few hours which was nice. The night before, we all gathered with my side of the family and had a lovely get together at my sisters house. All 20 of us. We arrived home at 11pm I think, and had a lovely time. So Christmas day was a bit milder with only 9 of us!

Then we went home to pick up my Christmas pudding icecream and hot Caramel sauce which I had made (I'll share it with you for next year!)

Then we went off for another lovely family gathering with Mark's side of the family for the evening. I think there were 28 of us there. The family and food were really something to be thankful for all this weekend!

In case you are wondering what you are supposed to do on "Boxing Day", I did some research for you which I found here on 'fact monster'. Just in case someone asks you about Boxing Day, you are maybe more knowledgable now...

Boxing Day

Traditional English holiday extends Christmas giving

source

by David Johnson

Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work onChristmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.Despite its name, Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages.

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.

The Day after Christmas

Boxing Day is December 26, the day after Christmas, and is celebrated in Great Britain and in most areas settled by the English (the U.S. is the major exception), including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.