boxing day was the day the servants in english houses were given boxes (of stuff) as the gentry's way of dealing with giving them gifts for the holiday.

most servants were working on december 25th to ensure the well-to-do families had a good time and would not have had christmas day off. it's unclear if the servants got the 26th off, but it's unlikely.

it's strictly an english and english (ex or current) colony tradition/holiday.

boxing day over the years has morphed into a day (depending on your source) where people serve/donate to the poor. another thing heard (very unlikely i think), is it's also the day that people box up the unwanted gifts for returns or re-gifting lol.

hope this helps!

mark :-)

• Happy Boxing Day, Shayne! - otto99 2007-12-26 11:06:11 (76 views)
  • according to my mummy (full born english)... - baggsly 2007-12-26 19:42:26 (69 views)
    • it maybe strictly a BRITISH (ex or current) colony tradition/holiday - explodingbudgie 2007-12-27 03:33:21 (67 views)
      • My mother still calls the Scottish - Shayne 2007-12-27 13:24:07 (62 views)
  • Thank you! - Shayne 2007-12-26 14:58:15 (61 views)
    • Re: Thank you! - Jerome 2007-12-26 17:59:40 (68 views)
      • The version I know - rick540 2007-12-27 05:08:30 (71 views)
        • Australia has a Boxing Day as an official holiday... - 525i 2007-12-31 18:33:04 (57 views)
          • Re: Australia has a Boxing Day as an official holiday... - podmore 2008-01-04 00:55:29 (42 views)