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3 WHATS ON HOLLIE PRATT-CAMPBELL hpratt-campbell@ metroland.com Oakville Beaver | Thursday, December 22, 2022 | Most of us are more than happy to have the day after Christmas off, and to take advantage of the shopping deals offered on Dec. 26, but what exactly is Boxing Day, anyway? So-called Boxing Day originated in Britain and is currently celebrated in all Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Austra- lia and New Zealand. Other countries, such as Germa- ny, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Nor- dic countries also celebrate Dec. 26, yet there it is thought of as a second Christmas Day. If you're confused as to why we celebrate Boxing Day, there's a good reason for that. There are compet- ing theories as to why and how Boxing Day originated, and it's possible they all might be true to a certain extent. (No, none have to do with the sport of boxing. Sorry.) ORIGINS OF BOXING DAY The Oxford English Dic- tionary says the earliest known mention of the term “Boxing Day" is from Britain in the 1830s. The term was originally defined it as "the first week-day after Christ- mas-day, observed as a holi- day on which post-men, er- rand-boys, and servants of various kinds expect to re- WHY DO WE CELEBRATE BOXING DAY ANYWAY? ceive a Christmas-box." openet the following day. In Britain, "Christmas another theory in- box" is another name for a volves salling ships; often Christmas present, and tra- ‘ge ips that set ditionally referred to to from Britain would have a money or presents collect- sealed box containing mon- ed by tradespeople on the ey onboard for good luck. If rived from a custom in the placed outside churches cial crerinee tion to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which also falls on Dec. 26. Often the of- ferings would be collected in boxes at churches on Christmas Day, then Shutterstock photo Boxing Day originated in Britain and is currently celebrated in all fies. first weel after Christ- the voyage was a success, mas as thanks for good ser- the box would be given toa vice _{hroughout the year. priest mn, who servants to prpper would ‘oper it at Christmas class! Brit: and give th tents to the work on Christmas San poor. and were given the follow- they open to get deals on oft in in addition to BOXING DAY TODAY large ticket items. Of course, these days use it as an their Cl of gifts and ieftover fo food ‘for their families. Boxing Day is largely asso- ciated with shopping and The day couldalsobere- _ sales. aun often re- lated tothe European tradi- port that Dec. 26 is ner tion of placing "Alms Box- _ highest revenue day of es" in areas of worship to collect donations for the poor; this in turn may be de- year, and shoppers have been known to line up in front of stores hours before Many opportunity to visit with friends and family they didn't get to see on Christ- mas Eve or Christmas Day. Usually, it has a more re- laxed feel than Christmas, as folks enjoy eating left- overs from the day before OPEN BOXING DAY, Dec. 26 From 9a nature's source xa BOXING PNG ONLY December 26 GNA Naturals Vega Genestra 2 in| f Em Progressive io St. Francis UltraC + e Allin One HMF Forte Magnesium = Immuno Daily Deep Immune [=] Bioflavonoic! Shake 827-8768 60et Products Support 60 ct Kids somt Buy 1Get4 ‘9, Buy 1 Get 1 Buy’ ica: (Hele Fo 20% off FREE | 50% off 50% off 70% off 50% off Biosteel BioSil lronVegan = North Coast gam Pure Lab ‘Smart Hydration Mix Liquid Athlete's Naturals Vitamins Solutions 315g Capsules 120 ct Blend akg Daily Greens 270g Ls 7 L-Theanine f EstroSmart Buy 1 Get 1 EE Buy 1Get 1 i] Buy 1Get 1 &. Ch retry | 120ct 50% off wre Gee} 65% off 50% off it & rive Manitoba AOR NutraSea NOW Salus Gandha-600 120 ct HP 2x Concentrate Creatine Floravit Hemp Hearts Buy 1Get1 BAR 60ct Monohydrate Shrink Pack Natural 227g Buy 1 Get 1 Pure Powder 227g 250+500ml Nat 50% off 0% off 40% off 2s0%sc0m| 50% off z 50% off rotures signature hotures source AVAILABLE IN Berpetenm Memocicter ewomors Betroomes mos: Missisouge _ Oslaille Toronto ALL SHORES sommes sosageere” Asgomes ” sipaseaaoe asteargo Stooozares” ossrnees, "ste ase ance Reewvargen " Someeks™™ Megcarcut Gegaumbereans. sokonmey ee FREE Shi www natures-source.com sa op as9.4908 srsasrves ‘ferear ssees Sioere.008 seme ‘order tolfree veees02e7a0 ir Beal vesan Gummy buy Get and spending time with loved ones. Boxing Day is the perfect excuse to in- dulge in a Christmas din- ner Happy Boxing Day ev- eryone! Proudly Canadian rganika Enhanced Collagen 250g 60% off Organic Traditions Select Products Buy1Get4 50% off Reader's choice Decide? a ‘Avra tor Beet Health Store yearein arow