“Christmastide” is a season of the liturgical year in most Christian churches. It is sometimes referred to a Twelvetide (for the Twelve Days of Christmas).

For those in the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church and for many in the Methodist Church, Christmastide begins at sunset (or Vespers) on December 24. Therefore, December 24 is not considered part of Christmastide, but rather part of Advent, the season of the Church Year that precedes Christmastide. Christmastide ends at sunset on January 5 (Twelfth Night) by the related season known as Epiphanytide. It begins on Epiphany Day, and ends at various points as defined by those denominations. The typical liturgical color for the day of Epiphany is white, and the typical color for Epiphany season is green.

Christmastide includes these celebrations: December 25 (Christmas Day); December 26 (St. Stephen’s Day); December 28 (Childermas or Children’s Mass or Holy Innocents’ Day); December 31 (New Year’s Eve); January 1 (the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ or the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Day); the Feast of the Holy Family day varies. The Twelve Days of Christmas finish with Epiphany Eve or Twelfth Night on January 5.

December 26 was originally called “Boxing Day” or “St Stephens Day,” which was a Catholic holiday. It was the second day of Christmastide. Originally it was a holiday to give gifts to the poor. However, in the present, it is, generally, a shopping holiday.

Boxing Day originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in a number of countries once part of the British Empire. The bank holiday or public holiday can occur up to December 28, if necessary, to ensure it falls on a weekday.

The origin of “Boxing Day” is not as definitive as we would like. In the Middle Ages, those in Europe were known to give gifts to those “in service” to their families. Alms boxes were placed in the narthex of early Christian churches to collect offerings for the poor. This is where the Feast of Saint Stephen comes in. In the early Christian churches and even today, it is customary in some localities to open the alms boxes and distribute the contributions to the poor.

Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants, who would receive “Christmas boxes” – gifts of money or leftovers from the Christmas feast – from their employers. It was also a popular day for fox hunting and informal social gatherings. 

• Boxing Day: The name “Boxing Day” originated from the tradition of wealthy families giving boxes of gifts and leftovers to their servants and tradespeople on this day. 
• Servants’ Holiday: Servants, who worked hard on Christmas Day, were typically given Boxing Day off to visit their families and enjoy the day. 
• Informal Celebrations:.While Christmas Day was a grand affair, Boxing Day was more relaxed, featuring smaller gatherings with neighbors and friends. 
• Fox Hunting: Fox hunting was a common activity on Boxing Day, particularly for the gentry. 

The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestations from Britain in the 1830s, defining it as “the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box”[“Boxing-day, n.”, OED Online, 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1887).]

The term “Christmas box” dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:

A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas. [“Christmas-box, n.”, OED Online, 1st edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1889), sense 3.]

Tradesmen collected “Christmas boxes” of money or fairings on the first weekday after Christmas in reward for their exemplary service through the year. I, for one, still present the trash collectors, my postal carrier, etc., each year with a token of my thanks for their good service.

This giving of “thanks” is mentioned in Samuel Pepys‘ diary entry for 19 December 1663. [“Saturday 19 December 1663 (Pepys’ Diary)”. Pepysdiary.com] This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors, although not on Boxing Day as many would not work on that day. [“Boxing Day and it’s surprising facts”. shoppersinusa.]

During the Regency, it is said, the church gave out boxes to the poorer families, and landlords presented villagers and tenants and workers boxes. I read somewhere how all the maids in a house, generally, received a length of cloth from which to have a gown made. I also recall how the men received material for shirts or received shirts made up. Pensioners/tenants would receive a goose or a hen. There were no set rules, and each employer/landlord gave as the spirit moved him or not. Some might just present the boxes so as not to lose face in front of neighbors.