December 26 - Boxing Day

Boxing Day, St. Stephen's Day, Day of the Wren, Day of Goodwill, Second Christmas Day - all names recognized for the day after Christmas. Personally, I like "Day of the Wren" the best, not just because it is Irish, but also for my love of the little birds. It is a legal holiday in Great Britain and its Commonwealth nations - Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
The term Boxing Day dates back to the Middle Ages and may come from the opening and distribution of the alms boxes in celebration of the Feast of St. Stephen on December 26.
Another explanation for the name of the day after Christmas in England was the practice of wealthy landowners' giving their servants boxes of gifts, leftover food, bonuses and the day off to visit their own families to ensure that the landowners' Christmas Day went smoothly - a bribe if you will - that became known as Boxing Day.

With an English grandmother, I'm sure my Grandma Bessie Lynam was familiar with Boxing Day even if it was no longer practiced by her time. In this picture taken on the back steps at Aunt Leona's in Davenport in the summer of 1953, Grandma is separating Betty, age 7, on the left and me, age 9, on the right. This is about the ages we were when boxing day had its own meaning for us.........

 .....when Dad came home with a couple pairs of old boxing gloves which looked much like the ones pictured here. Betty and I were less than two years apart in age. It was quite common for us to squabble - even actually fighting with one another occasionally.

Dad decided we should settle our differences by punching out our anger. He would lace us up in the old boxing gloves and tell us to "fight it out" - believing that we could get rid of our frustrations without actually getting hurt. I'm sure it was comical to watch the two of us trying to land a punch on the other. It was even kind of fun for a few times but I remember the concept as quickly growing old - back to kicking, biting and scratching for us.
I had to ask my brother Ron to help me remember where our boxing gloves came from. He said our neighbors, Maurice and Shorty Reichardt gave them to us. He also remembered an incident with Dad when he was trying to teach Ron to box. He said because Dad was so much taller then than he was, Dad was sitting down. He was showing him how to feint with one hand and then land a blow with the other. Ron was a quick learner and landed a hard hit to Dad's head - giving him an instant headache and ending the lessons.
In modern times, Boxing Day has taken on yet another meaning. It has become a shopping holiday with retailers offering huge discounts after Christmas. And with most workers having today off because of Christmas falling on Sunday, it's sure to be a busy day. I'd better get going.....it's already getting late.