The History of Boxing Day

While trying to find the main idea of what Boxing Day is and when it came about ... there were so many different explanations. I've summarised the most popular ones here below

To protect Ships

Traditionally , Boxing day originated in Britain during the "Age of Exploration " ( Columbus ) . Small boxes were given to sailors as a good luck device. This small box once it remained on the ship would bring good luck to the sailors on their voyage as it was blessed by the priest .

For the Poor

An "alms" box was placed in the Catholic Church somewhere around the 23rd and 24th of December . Each member of that church would place a small gift or token for the poor in the box. This box was always opened on the 26th ( the day after Christmas) which is why it is called "boxing day".

For workers

During the 18th Century , poorly paid workers were required to work on Christmas day , but got the day after Christmas off . As the workers were preparing to go off , their employees would send them off with small " Christmas Boxes " . This was done every year... and again ... thus the name Boxing Day.

Boxing day is celebrated on December 26th  in Britain , Canada and countries that were colonised by the British like Jamaica.