December 27th, 2014

Boxing Day

by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne

In many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and Jamaica, the day after Christmas is recognized as Boxing Day. The tradition is traced back to the 1830s in England when servants and trades people received a Christmas box from their employers, which often included gratuities for services rendered.

Today Boxing Day is a shopping holiday, much like our Black Friday. Sporting events, including football matches, ice hockey games, horse races and hunts are also scheduled, as well as public performances and outdoor activities.

Many years ago, I had some next-door neighbors who were from Canada and they invited us over to their house for a Boxing Day party.  In 1999, I was inspired to acknowledge this tradition with a Hi and Lois Sunday page.

Hi and Lois Sunday page, December 26, 1999.

For any of our readers who celebrate this holiday, we wish you a happy Boxing Day!

– Brian Walker