It’s the holiday season, so no real estate talk this month. Instead, I have decided to share some English holiday traditions.
Boxing Day is a day steeped in tradition in England, and was always my family’s day to celebrate Christmas together. We would spend Christmas Day with our in-laws. On Boxing Day, our family would get together at my sister’s house for leftover turkey, bubble and squeak, as well as mince pies. Not only was it a great way to use up all the Christmas dinner leftovers, but it made getting together with family and friends so much easier over Christmas, as you had two days to celebrate instead of just one.
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, and, like Christmas Day, it is a public holiday in England.
What is Boxing Day?
There are many theories as to the origin of Boxing Day. However, one most Brits will agree upon is, traditionally, it was the day to open the Christmas Box. A Christmas Box was made of wood or clay, and people would place money or gifts inside. The Christmas Box was used in
many ways.
To Protect Ships
During the age of great exploration, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, a Christmas Box was used for good luck. It was a small container placed on each ship while it was still in port. A priest placed it there, and to ensure a safe return, crewmen would drop money into the box. It was then sealed up and kept onboard for the entire voyage.
If the ship came home safely, the box was handed over to the priest in exchange for the saying of a Mass of thanks for the success of the voyage. The priest would keep the box sealed until Christmas when he would open it to share the contents with the poor.
To Help The Poor
An alms box was placed in every church on Christmas Day, into which worshippers placed a gift for the poor of the parish. These boxes were opened the day after Christmas.
The Servants’ Christmas Day
Servants were required to serve their masters on Christmas Day, and took the following day off to visit their families. As they prepared to leave, their master would present them with Christmas Boxes.
Happy Holidays!
Contact Lorraine Ryall via cell at (602) 571-6799. Send an e-mail to Lorraine@Homes2sellAZ.com, or visit the Web site at www.Homes2SellAZ.com.