Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a national holiday in the UK celebrated on December the 26th and it is another day to spend with family and friends eating up the leftovers, but its origins are steeped in history and tradition.

Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself.

In recent times the day has become synonymous with sport. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their true eccentricity taking part in all kinds of silly activities like swimming the English Channel - not the warmest place on December 26th - fun runs and charity events.

Until 2004, Boxing Day hunts were a traditional part of Boxing Day but the ban on fox hunting has put an end to the hunt in its traditional sense. Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn but it is now forbidden in law to chase the fox with dogs, so the dogs now follow artificially laid trails.

Another ‘sport’ to emerge in recent years is shopping. Sadly what was once a day of relaxation and family time sees the start of the sales. Sales used to start in January post-New Year but the desire to grab a bargain and for shops to off-load stock means many now start on Boxing Day.

It is not clear why it is called boxing Day, but there are several arguments:

• A ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present.
• Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.
• A box to collect money for the poor was placed in Churches on Christmas day then opened the next day.
• Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck.If the voyage were a success the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents given to the poor.

Adapted from http://britishfood.about.com/od/christmas/p/boxingday.htm

Gingerbread cookies

Ingredients

• 6 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup of molasses
• 1 cup of packed brown sugar
• 1/2 of cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.

Christmas Quiz

1. Where does the word ‘Christmas’ come from?

a. It comes from the Old English name Christ’s Mass.

b. It comes from the Old Latin Christus Masium.
c. It comes from the Old Arabian Christham Mashibe.

2. The abbreviation for Christmas to Xmas is derived from...

a. The new language created by young people when they send sms.

b. The Greek alphabet.
c. The Roman numeral.

3. What new ideas were added to the Christmas’ celebrations in Victorian times?

a. Decorate homes with holly.
b. Pray to God on New Year’s Eve.
c. Father Christmas and Christmas cards.

4. What is the Boxing Day in England?

a. It is the day after Christmas day.
b. It is the day before Christmas day.
c. It is the day when people watch Boxing matches, ones of the national sports.

5. What is another name for Father Christmas?

a. Santa Claus.

b. Salsa Claus.

c. Santa Xmas.

6. Christmas carols were banned in England by:

a. Oliver Cromwell.
b. Queen Victoria.
c. They were never banned.

7. A Christmas cracker usually contains:

a. A paper hat, a joke, a gift and a small strip that makes the ‘crack’ noise.

b. Flour, water and salt.
c. A paper hat, a poem and a sweet.

8. What do people do on the Twelfth Night?

a. Prepare all the presents for the children.
b. Remove all Christmas decorations to avoid bad luck.
c. Burn all the Christmas decorations on a traditional bonfire.

9. When do people open their Christmas presents?

a. On Christmas Day.
b. On Boxing Day.
c. On Twelfth Day after Christmas day.

 

10. Who is Rudolph?

a. He is one of the Three Kings’ young assistants.

b. It is Father Christmas’ nickname.
c. He is Father Christmas’ Red-Nosed Reindeer.

11. Father Christmas is dressed in a red suit because ...

a. he is warm despite the cold of the winter. Red keeps you warm even the cold weather.

b. this colour became the most popular after a Coca Cola advertisement during the 1930s.

c. he was bored with the green one.

ANSWERS:

1. a 2.b 3.c 4.a 5.a 6.a 7.a 8.b 9.a 10.c 11.b

West Side Story

Today, September the 26th, but in 1957 West Side Story had its premiere on Broadway.

Have you seen this classic? If not have a look at the trailer of the film to check if you would like to watch it ;-)

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