Boxing Day
Boxing Day ( The Day After Christmas ) takes place on December 26th and is only celebrated in a few countries, historically connected to the UK (such as Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) and in some European countries. In Germany it is known as "Zweite Feiertag" (which means 'second celebration') and also "Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag".
People started celebrating it in the UK about 800 years ago, during the Middle Ages. There are many stories behind the origin of the term "Boxing Day". It used to be the day when employers gave their employees or servants a gift of money in a small box and also servants were allowed to take a portion of the food left over from the Christmas celebrations to their families. On this day the alms from the Church collection box were traditionally opened and distributed to poor people. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day has become another public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. For many people it is an excellent opportunity to spend time with family, friends, and neighbours. They can stay at home or go for a walk in the countryside. But there are also those who flock to the post-Christmas sales that often begin on Boxing Day. Some people even spend part of the night and early morning queuing to get into the stores when the best bargains are still available.
Boxing Day is also an important day for sporting events. Many years ago fox hunting was a popular sport in the upper class. Pictures of hunters on horseback dressed in red coats and surrounded by hunting dogs are often seen as symbolic of Boxing Day. Nowadays, people prefer horse racing and football (fox hunting is outlawed).
