Saturday, December 26, 2009

BOXING DAY



Boxing Day

December 26th, St Stephen’s Day, is called Boxing day in the UK. It is a public holiday, and usually people visit friends. It is called Boxing Day because traditionally, the alms boxes in the churches were opened and the contents distributed to the poor. Also, servants went home to celebrate with their families. It was traditional for workers to open their tip boxes on this day.


Boxing Day is a bank holiday or a public holiday in countries with a mainly Christian population. It is usually celebrated on the day after Christmas Day.

Boxing Day originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. The day is traditionally marked by the giving of Christmas boxes, or gifts, to service workers.

Alms Box will be placed in every church on Christmas Day, into which worshippers placed a gift for the poor of the parish. These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, this is called as Boxing Day.

Traditionally, Boxing Day is a day for fox hunting. Horse riders dressed in red and white riding gear, accompanied by a number of dogs, chase the fox through the countryside.

On this day, families and friends get together and watch sports and play board games. In many countries Boxing Day is a Shopping Holiday.

Government buildings and businesses are closed, the malls are filled with people either exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations.

No comments:

Post a Comment