Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a curious holiday that is celebrated on the day after Christmas. Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with putting on gloves and punching each other in the face.

The origins of Boxing Day are shrouded in mystery, but one thing is for sure: it has nothing to do with putting Christmas presents into boxes. Unless, of course, you count the boxes of fruitcake that you get year after year, no matter how many times you regift them.

Some people believe that the holiday comes from a tradition of giving boxes of food and clothing to the less fortunate on the day after Christmas. Others say that it has to do with a long-ago British custom of giving boxes of money to servants on this day. Either way, it seems like Boxing Day is all about giving–whether it’s giving to others or giving yourself a day off work to recover from all the Christmas merriment.

Boxing Day is celebrated in several countries around the world, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In Canada, the holiday is marked by a lot of hockey games, which might explain why so many people end up with black eyes the day after Christmas.

In the UK, the day is often spent watching horse racing and indulging in leftovers, which means you get to enjoy another round of dry turkey and cold Brussels sprouts. If you’re lucky, you might even get a box of chocolates, which will be promptly devoured while you watch the Queen’s Speech on TV. It’s just like Christmas all over again, except with fewer presents and more old people.

All in all, Boxing Day is a great way to extend the Christmas holiday and spend time with loved ones. Just remember: if someone asks you to put on boxing gloves, it’s probably best to say no. Unless, of course, you’re trying to work off all that holiday weight by pounding your cousin into submission. In that case, go for it.