Quickcheck: is it true that Boxing Day is a day for people to return their Christmas gift?
PETALING JAYA: Christmas is here, and many are excited to receive presents from their loved ones and friends.
Some are delighted with the gifts received, while others may not like the presents they received - either they are not to their liking, or they do not fit them.
So, is Boxing Day a day for people to box up the gifts received for return?
No. While the name sounds like a day when people could repack those presents and return them to the shopping malls, it is not. (Neither is it a day for people to be in a boxing ring to fight out their differences.)
How Dec 26 is designated as Boxing Day is uncertain, but there are two explanations for the event.
One explanation is how in the 19th century, wealthy English families would give time off to their servants the day after Christmas. The servants would be given boxes with Christmas presents and food in them to take home to their families (hence, the name).
Another explanation has to do with charity and giving to the poor during the festive season.
It is believed that this tradition started in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages, as the one day of the year when churches opened their alms boxes, or collection boxes, and gave out the money to the poor.
In current times, Boxing Day celebration in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand would see certain sporting events are held, namely horse races and football matches.
Another interesting fact is Dec 26 is also known as Saint Stephen's Day or "the feast of Stephen" among Catholic Christians. And Saint Stephen has been associated with charity and giving.
Anyhow, let the festive season be about giving and helping the less fortunate.
Cheah, B. (n.d.). Quickcheck: is it true that Boxing Day is a day for people to return their Christmas gift? The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/true-or-not/2023/12/26/quickcheck-is-it-true-that-boxing-day-is-a-day-for-people-to-return-their-christmas-gift