MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Today, our family is invited to our company “Boxing Day” party. This is a first for us.
I wasn’t really sure what “Boxing Day” was. I’ve heard of it, but that’s about it.
When I told our boys that we were all invited to a “Boxing Day” dinner party . . .
Robert said, “Oh yeah, ‘Boxing Day’! They celebrate that in the U.K.”
Robert studies in a British university, so I’m sure that he knows. He was probably hearing people in England talk about “Boxing Day” before he traveled home to Spain for Christmas last week.
What’s It All About?
None of us really knew what this holiday was all about, so what did I do?
I whipped out my cultural awareness glasses to find out!
I found this great National Geographic video that explains it all. It’s fascinating and well worth watching for two minutes!
Giving to the Poor
“Boxing Day was originally a holiday when the poor, tradespeople, and servants received gifts.”
National Geographic
Interesting, this morning a man came to our door and asked us for food—not money. This is the first time we’ve experienced this here in Spain.
We gave him a bag of food and then watched him from the window. He placed our bag of food in the basket on his bike and then proceeded to go from door-to-door in our neighborhood. Other neighbors also gave him bags of food.
I guess we were already practicing “Boxing Day” traditions, and we didn’t even know it!
Family, Friends, Food, and Football
So, I’m off to the kitchen now to prepare my sweet and savory dishes for our company “Boxing Day” party.
I’m thankful to know that this holiday has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. We aren’t going to put on our company boxing gloves and duke it out among colleagues!
That would have been a horrible way to end this year!
Rather, we will enjoy and celebrate together a “Second Day of Christmas”—enjoying “Boxing Day” food, friends, and football (soccer, not American football)!
Happy Boxing Day!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
Have you ever heard of “Boxing Day”? Do you celebrate it in your country or know someone who does?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
