David Castleton (Author) on Nostr: The term 'Boxing Day' comes from the fact that servants, workers and tradespeople had ...

The term 'Boxing Day' comes from the fact that servants, workers and tradespeople had 'Christmas boxes'. On 26th December - or in the run-up to Christmas - they expected those they had served throughout the year to place a tip in these containers. The boxes were earthenware, with a slot in the top, and had to be broken to get the money out. Working out who owed tips to who could be an expensive and complicated business and could cause resentment. An article in the satirical magazine 'Punch' from 1849 complained of "our postman ... who has all year scarcely condescended to greet us with the odd nod has ... been making a series of low bows, which for some time we thought were ironically meant, until we remembered the compliments of the season ..." #BoxingDay #Christmas #Yule #folklore #history