I did a bit of research to find out the origins of Boxing Day but it seems nobody is quite sure of the actual beginnings. Some think it had to do with alms boxes in churches that were opened the day after Christmas and the contents distributed to the poor. One online source states, "The day after Christmas was the traditional day on which the aristocracy distributed presents (boxes) to servants. Both the church boxes and the servant presents existed, although historians disagree on which practice inspired the holiday. But Boxing Day's origins aren't especially important to modern-day Brits. Today's Boxing Day festivities have very little to do with charity. Instead, they revolve around food, soccer, visits from friends, and drinking at the pub. Boxing Day has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. The Irish refer to the holiday as St. Stephen's Day, also known as Wren Day. The Bahamas celebrate Boxing Day with a street parade and festival called Junkanoo, in which traditional rhythmic dancers called gombeys fill the streets with their elaborate costumes and headdresses. And there's the shopping. England and Canada's Boxing Day evolved into a major shopping event in the 1980s."
I have a sweet little cup to share today too.
It has pink roses and tiny Hearts Ease, or Johnny Jump Ups on the saucer~
It was made in England~
There are pinks, blue, green and gold in the bouquet~
My daughter baked up batches of Crackle-Top Molasses Cookies
from our favorite cookie recipe book...mmm, crunchy with a bit of spice!
Natalie H. Haughton filled this book with fabulous recipes that never fail to please~
