Boxing Day in the UK

Boxing Day originally started in the United Kingdom, a country in Europe. It was first commemorated in the middle of the thirteenth century under the ruling of the former queen of United Kingdom, Queen Victoria. The holiday is sometimes referred to as Charity Drive as a box is traditionally placed in different churches prior to Christmas Day and it's on the people’s decision whether they’ll drop a money or donation in the box. The box is opened on the Boxing Day. This day is celebrated in various countries that was part of the British Empire such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, among others. On this day, all schools are closed, just like most businesses and organizations.

Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated as the day in which the employees and the servants are given a day-off from work by their employers and masters. The holiday originated from a time where the wealthy people used to box up Christmas presents for their workers, servants or less fortunate individuals. The workers used to receive their gifts, bonusses, or any form of present from their employers or masters, known as the Christmas Box. It was given as a way of thanking them for their service. Most people would then go back to their houses and give that to their families on Boxing Day. Such practice influenced how the holiday is named – Boxing Day. In contemporary times, the employees usually receive some gifts from their employer days or even weeks before the Boxing Day.