Fabulous Friday Boxing Day Finds on ArtFire!

Boxing Day is celebrated by most countries in the Commonwealth or former British colonies, having been celebrated in England Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871.  Except in Canada, where the holiday always stays on December 26, if the holiday falls on a weekend, the celebration is moved to make sure workers get an extra day off.  Much as Americans watch football on Thanksgiving Day, the British enjoy watching Boxing Day soccer matches and horse races while gathering with friends, eating leftovers and drinking.  And, unfortunately, like most Western holidays, Boxing Day has become very commercialized and has devolved into the British version of Black Friday in States.  

Turquoise and teal "Mommie and Me" matching wood jewelry boxes handmade by Carla of artbysunfire

What are the origins of Boxing Day?  No one actually knows.  Many historians believe the best clue can be found in the old song "Good King Wencenslas" (a favorite of mine).  Wencenslas, who was the Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen's Day (December 26).  According to the Christmas carol, he noticed a poor man gathering wood in during a raging blizzard.   Moved by the sight, Wencenslas gathered up food and wine left over from the Christmas feast and carried them himself through the storm to the peasant.  It was almost unheard of for a King to take pity on the poor . . . and to carry the supplies himself.  A good king, indeed!  

Fiddleback maple and Bolivian rosewood 5" cube keepsake wooden box with the quilt pattern "Storm at Sea" by Dave of Quiltboxes

  

Throughout history, the English poor received most of their charity the day after Christmas.  During Advent, Anglican parishes prominently displayed a box where churchgoers put their monetary donations.  On the day after Christmas, the boxes were broken open and the contents distributed among the poor . . . MAYBE giving the day after Christmas the name "Boxing Day". 

Slim profile, cork lined fly box with a nature art wood burned on the top and bottom by JWSolomon

Another possibility about the holiday's origin has to do with the aristocracy and their servants.  Since many parties and festivities were given in the days leading up to and including Christmas Day, the servants worked extra long hours.  On the day after Christmas, the aristocracy distributed "Christmas boxes" (presents) to their servants and other employees in gratitude.  These boxes often contained gifts and bonuses, and maybe some leftover food.  The servants were also usually given the day off to return home and celebrate Christmas, a day late, with their own families.  Samuel Pepys noted the existence of Christmas boxes in his diary dating from 1663.  As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to those who has rendered a service during the previous year.  This tradition survives today when people give gifts to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen and others who have helped them.

Here are more gorgeous wooden boxes, a feast for the eyes:

Large 5sun, 4 step yosegi (marquetry) Japanese wooden puzzle box handmade by Hiroyuki Oka of oka-craft

I hope you enjoyed the brief history of Boxing Day and the wide variety of wonderful boxes featured in this post.  It's not too late to pick up that post-Christmas Boxing Day box!

To check out the other fifteen Fabulous Friday Finds posts, please click on the "blog" tab near the top of my studio page and scroll down for each week.  You'll be glad you did!

Please make my day and the day of the artists featured by leaving a comment.  And any promotion you can do will be greatly appreciated by all!  THANK YOU!

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