Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Boxing Day falls on December 26th, the day after Christmas. It is also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr).
The term, “Boxing Day”, may come from the opening of church poor boxes on that day. Boy apprentices collected money in earthenware boxes at the doors of their masters’ clients.
The traditional celebration of Boxing Day includes giving money and other gifts to charitable, needy people, and people in service jobs. The holiday originated from the middle ages (A.D. 400’s-1500’s).
Nowadays, gifts (boxes) are given to those who provide services throughout the year. People “box up” unwanted clothes and other things and give them to the poor.
In England, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of the family. Christmas Day was always the day you spent at home with your family, but Boxing Day would always be the day you would go to your grandparents’ home. A Boxing Day meal usually includes ham or roast lamb. Boxing Day has also come to incorporate sports, such as soccer, and general activity after Christmas.
What You Can Do On Boxing Day
- First thing you need to do is go to your local grocery store and get a few empty boxes.
- Once home, decorate the boxes with wrapping paper, hand drawn pictures, photo’s cut from magazines, craft glitter glue or anything else you can think of.
- Make labels for the boxes. Simple gift tags will do fine.
- Now collect things from your home that are no longer needed but are in good condition. What can you give on boxing day? Try the following things,
- Old clothes
- Old shoes, boots or slippers
- Old outerwear (hats, gloves scarves, jackets, snowsuits, etc)
- Old toys and games
Craft supplies - Old story book and activity books (unused activity books)
- Canned goods
- Old holiday decorations
- Pet food, toys and grooming supplies
- Put a few of these items in each box. Close the box up and drop them off at local shelters and children’s aid societies.
What Else Can You Do
Drop off boxes of stuffed toys to local police and fire stations. They can use these with children in crisis to help the children feel more secure.
Thank the people who make regular deliveries (mailman, pizza guy, UPS guy, etc) to your home with small boxes of baked goods (cookies, small cakes, pies, muffins, etc).
Thank the neighbour’s who unselfishly help you in so many ways during the year. Give them a small box of baked goods of handmade presents (bookmarks, knit items, craft, wreath, etc)