BOXING DAY 2014

December 26 is Boxing Day in Canada and for most of us a Statutory Holiday. Most stores have their boxing day sales- 50% off Christmas merchandise even though many sales start mid-December to attract customers. It helps with the bottom line. Venturing out yesterday, I only went to Shoppers Drug Mart for some needed food items like milk and eggs as well as use my emailed coupon to get 20 times the points for spending over $75.00. They had enough of Christmas items like tags, Christmas crackers, some paper and some misc things to buy for next Christmas. Many new immigrants especially those from Russian were buying the chocolates and cookies in droves as they celebrate their Santa on New Year's Eve. In the old Soviet Union, they could not have Christmas Day so it was more of a Christmas for them than New Year's Eve with gifts and Santa giving to the children. There are others of course, like our Ukrainian-Canadians that celebrate January 6th who can take advantage of the Boxing Day sales for sure. In my youth I would venture to a big mall that had an Eaton's and Simpsons- two iconic Canadian stores that no longer exist- and be with hordes and crowds shopping for the same items. Usually trying to buy discount tree ornaments as they would be needed. Since I have a house full of Christmas stuff and enough ornaments to decorate several trees with varied themes, no longer looking for those ornaments now. I have a favourite store where I will find the 2-3 boxes of discount cards for next Christmas in a few days or even next week.
So why is it called Boxing Day. As some of the theories go, in old England maybe Middle Ages or 17th century, the servants were needed Christmas Day to serve their masters but given December 26th as a day off to be with family and were presented with gift boxes. Sometimes it would be the leftovers from the Christmas dinner! Or the churches that collected donations in boxes over the Christmas season would give them to the needy on December 26th.
In the present, there are some bargains with large ticket items. But for many people with some Christmas gift cards or cash, not able to wait very long to spend them shopping is the needed activity. It used to be a big day of returns of unwanted Christmas gifts. Although now many stores delay that process to later in the week, so real shoppers can shop and are not stuck behind someone trying to return an item without a bill and a big argument. That's why gift receipts are always helpful with gifts. I do keep all the bills in one spot in case a return may be needed.
For me, Boxing Day was quiet after my early morning quick shop- tidying of Christmas dishes, eating leftovers as well as the proverbial turkey soup- made from the bones simmering for the day and some little turkey bits-  and a plateful of veggies for dinner and actually several little cat naps during the day while watching some movies- Boxing Day was enjoyable. I had started the day to be more ambitious with cleaning up some areas of the house but decided to conserve my energy and enjoy a day of quiet! Stopping and enjoying the lights from the tree while sitting in my family room knitting a few rows of one my winter projects brought some reflections. Quiet brings memories to the forefront. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, nice not to be so busy and driving around to stores. Besides returning to work in a few days, brings the realization that work will happen with its normal routines, often boring! So being at home in the quiet of my home enjoying a paid day!

Oh Boxing Day!  Making new traditions while enjoying the old ones! How did your day go? Was it quiet or more family visiting? Do you ski or snow board so wanted to get to the slopes for winter fun?