BOXING DAY

In Britain and many Commonwealth countries Boxing Day, December 26, is kept as a legal holiday.

Some historians attribute the name to the parish church alms box, which was opened on Christmas and distributed to the poor.

But most believe the origin of the term lies in the earthenware boxes for gratuities kept by medieval servants and apprentices. Since the Middle Ages it was the custom during the Christmas season for English employees to solicit tips from those people with whom their employer did business.