Boxing day is the day after Christmas. I was amazed when I first came to the states that everyone went out to shop and return their unwanted gifts. In England, when I was a little girl, all the shops were closed on boxing day. It is a national holiday. The tradition goes back many centuries to a time when the rich people would put all of their excess food into a special box and they would hand these boxes to the poor and hungry. Sometimes money was given and it too would be placed in a special box. Boxing day is an excellent time to gather with family and friends. It is more of a social day and the men go off to the pubs and the women gather to chat with each other. Children are still busy playing with their toys.
This tradition of a lazy day is beginning to change too. Shops are now open the day after Christmas and it is becoming a time to return presents and try to find bargains on Boxing-Day sales.
Christmas is the most wonderful time. It is fun to relive the traditions of old and it is also so meaningful to start new traditions.
I hope this has given you and insight into what a typical Christmas is like in England. Also, I hope that you can take a few ideas and incorporate them into your Christmas.
Be sure to look on the CD for more information. You will also find many recipes.
I wish you the best this Holiday Season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
