On the surface you might think that Boxing Day has its roots in the Sweet Science,

or if you grew up in Canada, like I did, a good on ice punch-up.

Well, that is not the case.

But traditions have it that Boxing Day does have everything to do with boxes.

The first tradition being that the day after Christmas, the 26th, or the feast of St. Stephen,

the church would open its alms boxes, or donation boxes, that had been placed in the church over the Christmas season and then give that money to the less fortunate.

The second, way back when wealthy merchants would give boxes containing food, fruit, clothing or money to tradesmen, servants, and thus the holiday tip was born.

So, who celebrates Boxing Day?

Predominantly Great Britain and members of the Commonwealth, or former colonies of England, like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

Now you might ask, " So why not the US? We were once a colony."

Well, here's why.

Boxing Day celebrations have their origins back in the middle of the 19th century, the 1800s, during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The United States by that time, thanks to the Revolutionary War of 1776, had already broken away from English rule, so no Boxing Day.

But I got to tell you, nowadays you 're not missing much because at least back home in Canada Boxing Day seems to be more about the big blowout sale just like Black Friday.

And could you really handle another Black Friday?

But in my family growing up it was all about putting on your new Christmas sweater, playing with that new toy, then having a family meal highlighted by the Christmas poppers and the wearing of a paper hat.