This was first posted on Boxing Day, 2024 and has since been updated. The sentiment remains the same, however.
In Canada, today is Boxing Day. It has nothing to do with sport but rather with the idea of “boxing up” the leftovers from Christmas feasting (including unwanted presents) to give to those less fortunate. I was raised with the notion that Boxing Day is for providing volunteer service (I was allowed to choose – and I always chose the SPCA – but I wasn’t allowed to skip it); however, I think that that philosophy has long since disappeared.
Perhaps we ought to try to bring back Boxing Day volunteerism or other forms of giving. I am tired of the Boxing Day sales that have now morphed into “boxing week” sales – whatever those are, I’m sure you’re really not going to save anything – that are bringing into disrepute a day that used to be about selflessness and giving.
Considering the narcissistic spending focus at this time of year – something that is industriously promoted by all businesses – a little required volunteerism might go a long way to helping a great many people, including those that do the volunteering.
Food for thought.
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A good post Lynette. I am all about finding ways to give back whether it is volunteerism, donations, shoveling somebody else’s sidewalk or giving the gift of time or means to someone less fortunate. That latter one can be difficult as the old saying that “It is easier to give, than receive” applies. Thanks for writing this timely post. Allan
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Thank you for this post, Lynette.
Here, in the UK, Boxing Day has a slightly disputed history, though it’s not an important argument. The main belief is that the day after Christmas, when servants had to spend their time waiting on their masters, the landowners and wealthy folk would give these servants a day off, along with ‘gifts’ of money and boxes of food so they could visit their relatives. The other possibility is that on Boxing Day, the alms boxes in the various churches would be opened and the contents given to the poor.
These days, in common with the priorities of the era, it has become a day, stretching into a week, when yet more consumerism s driven by so-called sales.
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I have to admit I don’t know much about Boxing Day but it sounds like a really nice tradition that should not be overun by consumerism. In my native country Sweden December 26 is also a holiday called Annandag Jul, or roughly second day Christmas. It is called second day Christmas despite the fact that Jul / Christmas is celebrated on December 24th, which comes from a Viking tradition (Jul or Yule is really a pagan midwinter solstice tradition). However, I think Boxing Day sounds like a more serious celebration with volunteering and good deeds.
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