Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2016)
,MKMUJMZ-);<-:67:-/768):-6< What’s Boxing Day? The British Un-Christmas! By SUZANNE KENNEDY Americans might think Boxing Day has some connec on to Mu- hammad Ali, but they’d be wrong. Celebrated mainly in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Boxing Day is mainly now a bank holiday. It falls on the day a er Christmas, Dec. 26, each year. The tradi ons and origins of the day, however, are much more interes ng. Why is it called Boxing Day? Well, fi rst, a Christmas box is the Bri sh name for a Christmas pres- ent. In Downton Abbey days, servants would get the day a er Christmas off and, a er receiving a Christmas box from their master, would go home to their families to share gi s with them. In addi- on, many churches put out small boxes to collect money for the poor on Christmas Day, and then open them on Boxing Day. So what do people do on Boxing Day? It’s much more casual than Christ- mas, so many informally meet up with friends and family not seen on Christ- mas Day and munch on yummy le overs. They could be watching sports like horse racing, football (soccer), or even fake fox hun ng (yes, there is such a thing). If you’re super ad- venturous, you might try something silly like swimming in ice cold water that could subs tute for the English Channel, or par cipa ng in a charity fun run or other type of charitable event. Sadly, or not, depending on how you look at it, it has also become a prime shopping day. What do people eat on Boxing Day? Think easy. Le overs, hams, Christmas cake, mince pie with brandy bu er … wait, what? Mince pies have been around as far back as the 16th century. Back then they were made of meat but are now made with sweet mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices and brandy. Christmas cake takes a couple of months to make sure there’s enough me to “feed” it brandy. If you have me, you can also soak the dried mixed fruits the night before in a li le extra brandy and fi nish it the next day. Wowza — did I men on the brandy? Boxing Day isn’t a tradi on in America because, although it extends far back in history, it didn’t become offi cial un l 1871, long a er the Americans won their in- dependence from England. By that me, we had Thanksgiving to cel- ebrate, anyway. My waistline can only handle so many holidays. Feeling Bri sh? Here’s how you can celebrate with your family. Be charitable. Box up your unused clothing and household items to do- nate. Tip the people who provide a service for you (your mail carrier, hair stylist, babysi er, etc.) Be ac ve. Since soccer is such an important part of Boxing Day, get out of the house and burn off some of those Christmas calories with your family. You might even try to get the neighborhood out together, depending on the weather. Visit family and friends. Let’s face it, there’s not enough me to see everyone on Christmas. If Christmas is all family, plan an easy get-together with friends for the day a er. Keep it casual with a pot- luck, or meet at a local restaurant. Turn on some music or sports and keep the merriment going. Stay true to Boxing Day roots. Use the a er-Christmas sales to shop for the needy. Blankets, warm socks, gloves, and jackets are o en on good sales and you’ll be able to help more people with a smaller budget. Don’t forget to sing a chorus of “Good King Wenceslas.” The feast day of Saint Stephen, referred to in the song, is on Boxing Day! ________ Suzanne Kennedy is a former middle school teacher who lives in Pendleton with her husband and three children.
