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Today is Boxing Day. December 26.

This holiday has nothing to do with a boxing ring or leather gloves. It has everything to do with celebrating.

In Great Britain and all across the Commonwealth countries they celebrate Boxing Day. That means Canada, Australia, and many more.

So why does Boxing Day exist?

Well, in the “old days” servants were required to make the food and serve their employers on Christmas Day. They didn’t get a holiday off like the wealthier folks.

In a bit of generosity, the Upper Class decided that the servants deserved their own holiday, so they gave them the day after Christmas off work.

So where does the box come in?

Tradition has it that the heads of the household would fill a box with gifts, bonuses, and even leftover food from the big holiday for the servants to take home or travel with to visit family.

That’s the meaning of Boxing Day.

I have friends in some of those other countries who continue on the tradition with the boxes. Some of them do sort of a round robin where they visit several friends and exchange small boxes. Some I know go around the neighborhood and sneak up onto a porch and leave a little box. And some have one more party after the party from the day before.

They have each made it their own.

Like many employers, I have given the day after Christmas off work too for our staff. I didn’t want them to have to travel on Christmas to be at work the next day. That’s my tradition.

Happy Boxing Day!