It is not something we do in the US. What is it? Do you people go out into the streets and randomly start beating up on people?

Sorry, if this sounds stupid. You'd think in my almost 60 years on the planet I'd have bothered to find out what it is.

I have no idea why Boxing Day was originally created - Bad Canadian! *lol*

Here in my neck of the woods, it's basically the day that people go nuts shopping because everything goes on sale. It is definitely a day that no one wants to work on, but if you do, you make a pretty good wage!

I thought it was the day we were supposed to 'box' things up and get over Christmas.

when family members visited, ate, drank & exchanged gifts.
Here's a couple of links though

http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp...a/boxing_e.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day
http://www.geocities.com/traditions_uk/boxingday.html

SusanB, that's a neat take on the name....

Now this sounds like you'd really get into fisticuffs.

Thanks for those links. That was interesting.

As an American who has lived in the UK for over a decade, to me Boxing Day feels a bit like Thanksgiving. It is another day to have a big meal but is about family and relaxing - plus sport (as with Thanksgiving..lol).

As far as how it came to be..I have heard two different things. The first was that it was the day after Christmas and since they servants were needed to help prepare and carry out Christmas day they would then get Boxing Day off and be given a box of some sort with their Christmas bonus type thing in it.

The other is that it was the day charity boxes were open and distributed by the churches.

I don't know if either are actually true.

mare - If you've never experienced Boxing Day at West Edmonton Mall, you might have a hard time imagining it. It is insane! I managed a McDonald's in that mall for a couple of years, and on Boxing Day, we had managers of other restaurants working in crew peoples' positions, and there was literally a customer for every tile in the floor.
I don't miss it! But if you have the money, you can get a lot for a little (or so I've heard).

Boxing day = test cricket match

But then I AM an Aussie lol.

Hey CBMare - we are not all football hooligans you know!!!! Mind you some family get togethers may well end up like that. Not mine though - that would mean exercise (shudder!).

Yes I believe it was the servants day off so I think SarahJane is right.