For Babz:
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It falls on December 26th, which is also St. Stephen's Day.
St. Stephen was a little known saint who achieved eternal fame by being the first Christian to be martyred for his faith, and he met his death by stoning. Ouch!
Boxing Day is so called because on this day it was the customary for tradesmen to collect their Christmas boxes or gifts in return for good service throughout the year. Also, it included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, and the needy.
The holiday may date from as early as the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is not known. It may have begun with the Lords and Ladies of England, who gave their Christmas boxes/gifts to their servants on December 26, or maybe by priests, who opened the church's alms (charity boxes), and distributed the contents to the poor and needy.
Posted by Buzz at December 26, 2003 10:04 AMAwww...thanks, Buzz! I feel so edjamacated now!
Posted by: Babz at December 26, 2003 10:17 AMI have two kids that were appropriately spoiled for the holidays by friends and family.
I am presently in BOX HELL.
Posted by: Kathy Howe at December 26, 2003 12:07 PMI should read your post before answering my mail... So I repeat, Happy Boxing Day :)
Posted by: Amber at December 26, 2003 06:18 PMThe two most important things about Boxing Day are that (a) it is a stat holiday *woot* and (b) the sales are freakin' unbelievable.
I've never met anyone who actually exclaimed "Happy Boxing Day" or seemed to know what the meaning behind it was.
I only found out yesterday, prompted by your entry, that (United States of) Americans don't celebrate Boxing Day. I was quite shocked seeing as the good old USA is such a consumerist state and Boxing Day is all about spending money, lining up the night beofre for sales, etc. I was informed that the closest equivalent in the USA is the day after US Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the same day as what USAers call "Columbus Day" -- we like to spread out our turkey dinners *grin*).
Posted by: no name yet at December 27, 2003 01:01 PM
-d: How do you feel about being Governor of Indiana?
[Buzz it]
Global Warming, my ass!
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