For many of my Southern friends, Boxing Day isn't a tradition... but home in Ontario, Boxing day is a statutory holiday for everyone (except for some in retail - sorry) and actually used to, when I was growing up, be a wonderful second day to celebrate and unwind from Christmas. It was even illegal to open up retail stores...
When my mom worked retail when I was in high school and college, we actually celebrated our family Christmas on December 26th - because she would typically get stuck working late on Christmas Eve and use Christmas Day as a day to enjoy or stocking gifts and prepare for our big Christmas feast on the 26th.
My friends and readers in Britain and other commonwealth countries will be celebrating along with me... although the origins of Boxing Day are somewhat obscured, the basic idea is to share your bounty with those less fortunate, something we should be doing every day of the year. This year, as we put the children's toys and our gifts away, I will be paying extra attention to making space for them by finding things to share with the multitude of charities here in SC - as I put the wonderful new bedding that Wayne and I got from my in-laws on our bed, I plan to find some old sheets and blankets (and maybe some towels) to take to the animal shelter. As I put away the two nice warm sweaters I got, I will clean out the maternity clothes from my closet that I can take to the local Florence Crittenden house, and as I make room for the children's assorted wonderful clothes and toys, I will make up a box to share with the local Crisis Ministries, who helps families in in need all year long.
I'm sure that many of my readers gave generously to charity over the holiday season, but let's not forget that those whose Christmas was merrier because of us, also continue to need help the other 364 days of the year!
For those of you who got to the end... use 'Happy Boxing Day' as a bonus entry into any of the three giveaways going on now!
