History – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine

History of Boxing Day: What’s it all about?

Courtney Dietz — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:24:00 +0000

History of Boxing Day: What’s it all about?

Kaiya Freelon

For many, Boxing Day is just another event we see on the calendar. Although it’s not a major holiday celebrated in America, it’s one that’s been celebrated around the world for quite some time.

So how did it all start? Well Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen’s Day after the Christian martyr known for his charitable acts, originated in England during the 1800s. Around this time, Britain was characterized as the “most powerful empire in the world.” Thus, the holiday spread across the world and continues to be celebrated today. It was tradition for the wealthy to box and give gifts, money and more, then hand them out to servants, tradesmen, and those who were poor the day after Christmas. It was also common for servants of wealthy families to work on Christmas Day, so this was usually the day they would celebrate. Queen Victoria would be the one to eventually name the holiday, Boxing Day.

But how is the holiday celebrated now? Today, citizens celebrate Boxing Day in multiple countries including Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and more. Although giving back is still the main focus of the holiday, in these countries people celebrate the holiday in different ways. In Canada, Boxing Day is another Black Friday. Canadians spend the day shopping and watching sports, usually hockey. In New Zealand, many people take time to relax and spend time at the beach, since it’s Summer when the holiday rolls around. In the UK, the holiday is a day for shopping rather than a day or giving gifts. This is also one of the biggest days for Premier League games, seeing as the league and the holiday seem to be intertwined with one another.

After seeing the way various countries celebrate, we notice how far they’ve gone from original traditions. The holiday is more of a day of relaxing and taking time away from work. Although it began as a day specifically to give back, it’s common during this time of the year for people to give back anyway.

Hearing all the celebration of the holiday across the world, one may wonder why it’s not celebrated in the United States. The reason for that is simple; Boxing Day wasn’t adopted by the “American government.” Since Christmas is one of the biggest holidays celebrated here with the New Year being right around the corner, we tend to put all of our attention and energy into these holidays instead. Although the holiday isn’t specifically celebrated in America, the origin of Boxing Day falls in line with the giving spirit.

History of Boxing Day

Courtney Dietz — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:11:00 +0000

It’s Almost Time to Celebrate Boxing Day.

Kara Hyden

What? There’s a day that celebrates people that box for sport?

No. The day after Christmas, December 26, several countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom celebrate Boxing Day. In some European countries such as Hungary, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, it’s a second Christmas Day and a public holiday. Most offices are closed when it falls on a weekday.

So what is Boxing Day?

Centuries ago, Boxing Day was when wealthier people boxed up presents as offerings for the poor. Today, the holiday involves shopping, feasting on delicious foods, enjoying sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.

But how did this day come about? What is its purpose?

Several theories exist.

The British Broadcasting Company says Boxing Day got its name from the 1800s when Queen Victoria held the throne. Since servants were required to work on Christmas, their employers would fill a box with gifts, money and leftovers and give it to them the day after Christmas, and they would share with their families.

Another theory comes from ancient churches with alms boxes. It’s said that on December 26, clergy members would give these funds to the poor in honor of the feast of St. Stephen, a Christian martyr known for charitable acts. In Ireland, Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.

The theory that Boxing Day derives from St. Stephens Day is found in the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas.” It tells the story of the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century when he observed a poor man on his land, struggling to gather wood in the middle of a snowstorm. He was so moved, he gathered food and wine and delivered it to his door, inspiring a tradition.

Regardless of the actual origins of the holiday, it’s clear that the day is characterized by charitable giving, gifts, and celebrations with family.

But there are a few other ways it’s celebrated today. Some see Boxing Day as a day to spend with family they didn’t get to see on Christmas, by gathering for meals, drinking at pubs, or simply enjoying the day off at home. Some see it as a day to overindulge on the leftovers; inviting friends over to enjoy festive foods. Some like to celebrate by going shopping; in some countries Boxing Day is considered the “Black Friday” akin to the one in the United States in November. It’s said that people will stand in line for hours to snag some of the best discounts of the season. Sound familiar?

And still, while Boxing Day has nothing to do with sports, it has become a day to watch football (soccer for us U.S. folks). Tracking back to the 1950’s, before the days of television, people would dress up and attend football matches on December 25 after eating. But the attitude toward sports on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom changed and the last football match to take place on Christmas occurred in 1957. So Boxing Day has become the day for all sports fans to get their fix.

And yet a final tradition is known as the Boxing Day Dip. This is when adventurous participants dress in fancy clothes and take a dunk in the freezing cold sea. Although this polar plunge tradition is still alive and well today, most brave swimmers are donning Santa hats or suits rather than their nicest formal attire.

Unusual Christmas Traditions

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:32:00 +0000

Unusual Christmas Traditions

Owen Marshall

Christmas traditions can vary widely around the world, and some are quite unusual or unique. Here are a few examples of unusual Christmas traditions from different countries and cultures:

Krampus: In Alpine regions such as Austria and Bavaria, Krampus is a folklore figure who is the counterpart to Saint Nicholas. Krampus is depicted as a horned creature who punishes naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the well-behaved ones.
Caga Tió: In Catalonia, Spain, families have a log called “Caga Tió” that they decorate with a face and a hat. On Christmas Eve, children beat the log with sticks while singing a traditional song, hoping it will “poop” out presents.
Gävle Goat: In Gävle, Sweden, a giant straw goat is erected in the town’s square every year for Advent. The tradition has become famous because the goat often faces attempts of vandalism and arson.

Roller-Skating to Mass: In Caracas, Venezuela, it’s a tradition for people to roller-skate to early morning Christmas Mass. Roads are even closed to cars to make way for skaters.
KFC Christmas Dinner: In Japan, a surprising tradition involves eating KFC for Christmas dinner. This started as a marketing campaign in the 1970s and has since become a popular custom.
Yule Lads: In Iceland, there are thirteen “Yule Lads,” mischievous creatures who leave small gifts in children’s shoes on thirteen consecutive nights leading up to Christmas.

Dipping in the Danube: In Hungary, there’s a tradition where people gather on Christmas morning and head to the Danube River to dip in the icy water for good health. This tradition is rooted in folk beliefs about the healing properties of water.
Christmas Carp: In the Czech Republic, it’s common to have a live carp swimming in the family bathtub for a few days before Christmas. This fish is then prepared for the Christmas Eve meal.

Night of the Radishes: In Oaxaca, Mexico, a festival called “Noche de Rábanos” (Night of the Radishes) is held on December 23rd. Artisans carve elaborate scenes out of radishes, showcasing their creativity.
Spider Webs on the Tree: In Ukraine, it’s a tradition to include spider webs on the Christmas tree decorations. This stems from a folktale where a poor widow’s tree was covered in spider webs that turned into gold and silver.

These unusual Christmas traditions showcase the diversity of cultures and the many ways in which people celebrate the holiday season around the world.

History of Halloween

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Halloween

Sara Maples

Halloween, as we know it today, has evolved from a blend of ancient Celtic, Roman, and Christian traditions. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated around October 31st in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of France. Here’s a brief overview of the history of Halloween:

Ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain: The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the Earth. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off evil spirits.
Roman Influence: In the first century AD, the Roman Empire conquered much of Celtic territory. Some elements of the Roman festivals, such as Feralia (a day to honor the dead) and Pomona (a festival dedicated to the goddess of fruit), were integrated into Samhain celebrations.
Christianization: In the 9th century, the Catholic Church established All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day) on November 1st to honor saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.

Blend of Traditions: Over time, the customs of Samhain and Christian traditions merged, leading to a celebration that included both religious observances and more secular activities.
Migration to America: Halloween was brought to North America by European immigrants, particularly Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine in the 19th century. In the United States, the celebration gradually evolved and incorporated various cultural influences.
Trick-or-Treating: The practice of trick-or-treating likely has its roots in the medieval custom of “souling.” On All Souls’ Day, poor individuals would go door-to-door, offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for food. In the early 20th century, Halloween became more community-focused, and the modern concept of trick-or-treating emerged.

Commercialization: By the mid-20th century, Halloween had become a holiday with commercial potential. Costumes, decorations, and candy sales became a significant part of the celebration.
Pop Culture Influence: Movies, television shows, and media have played a role in shaping the modern image of Halloween, including its association with monsters, witches, and supernatural elements.
Global Spread: In recent decades, Halloween has spread beyond North America and Europe, becoming a popular holiday in many parts of the world, albeit with variations in traditions and customs.

Today, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of traditions, including costume parties, haunted houses, pumpkin carving, spooky decorations, and of course, trick-or-treating. While its origins are rooted in ancient rituals, Halloween has evolved into a festive and fun holiday celebrated by people of all ages around the world.