Today we celebrate BOXING DAY, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr)..................well we do in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I think we're missing out by not having it here in the USA, thus giving everyone a proper two-day Christmas holiday break from work!
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This celebration is traditional, dating back to the Middle Ages, and consisted of the practice of giving gifts to employees, the poor, or to people in a lower social class. In Victorian times it became a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing and money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to bonuses many employers give their employees today....if you're lucky! Also related to the origin of Boxing Day, is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in the churches over the Christmas season - the contents were then distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.
Today, Boxing Day is a time for family and friends to spend together with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports are popular on this day too.
You can build a little charity into your holiday season (while reducing your own clutter - and we all plan to do this, right?) by cleaning out and giving your discards to someone in need. If you don't have anything to clean out, you can always give of your time.
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