Boxing Day

December 26th

Other Names: Offering Day, St. Stephen's Day

It is celebrated in Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

It has been recognized as a Bank Holiday in Britain since 1871 (Queen Victoria)

This was a name given because in the middle ages the churches opened their "alms boxes" and gave put small gifts to the poor.

Alms boxes were boxes were people placed money throughout the year

The early boxes were made of earthen ware with a slit in the top. The only way they could be opened was to be smashed hence the expression having a smashing time

It is also the day when tradesmen received gifts from those they worked for

It is considered unlucky to kill a wren on any day other than Boxing Day

On Boxing Day young boys known as Wren Boys would hunt a wren and tie its dead body to a pole decorated with holly and ribbons. They would blacken their faces and sing

"The wren, the wren, the king of all birds On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, We hunted him far and hunted him near And found him under the bushes here. Hurrah, my boys, hurrah! Hurrah, my boys, hurrah! Knock at the knocker and ring at the bell, And give us a copper for singing so well."

People who gave them money received a feather from the bird and the money was put towards a village dance.

In some areas the hunters dressed like mummers and a hobby horse type creature accompanied them

Wren hunting may date back to Neolithic times

In some areas in was traditionally to blood let the cattle in the belief it would increase their stamina and health in the following year

There are two Saint Stephens

St Stephen was the first Christian martyr and he was stoned to death.

He had been appointed to care for the poor and widows by the seven original deacons of the Christian Church

There is also Saint Stephen who is also the patron saint of horses. Horse racing and hunts are associated with Boxing Day. He was a missionary in Sweden. He was also a martyr. In Germany there was a tradition to ride horses around a church in his honour

In the Christmas Carol Good King Wencelas looked out on the feast of Stephen

In modern times it has become the start of the sales in shops