There were also other Christmas Boxes, known as "Alms Boxes" that were set in every church on Christmas Day. All day, people would bring gifts to share with the congregation's poorer members. The box was then opened the next day, December 26th... Boxing Day.
Christmas Boxes were also often given to workers who were paid very low wages. These workers were often forced to work on Christmas Day, but could usually take off work the day after Christmas. On their day off, their bosses would send them a Christmas Box. During the later 18th-century, the owners of grand estates would place all of their leftovers, and sometimes gifts as well, into a box and share them with their tenants and servants the day after Christmas.
This tradition of Boxing Day still exists today. It has become custom for people to give gifts or small sums of money to neighborhood workers, such as the milkman and the paperboy. Some employers will also give their workers a raise at Christmas time.
Boxing Day is very much tied to the community. It is a time when many people go out of their way to help those in need. Boxing Day is also a time when almost everyone is free from work, and they spend the whole day together with their family. Many families often enjoy big dinners, games and sports.
This tradition is not just connected to the environment of the United Kingdom, as many other countries also celebrate it. If you're traveling to England, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (all members of the British Commonwealth) around the Christmas holidays, maybe you, too, can celebrate Boxing Day!
