Happy Boxing Day!

For those who aren't familiar with the British term, Boxing Day has no pugilistic connotations but refers to the weekday following Christmas Day when the alms or "poor" offering boxes were opened and distributed to the needy.

Boxing Day gift giving began in the middle ages but was revived by Queen Victoria. After all the feasting of Christmas, the leftovers were distributed to the poor as well as monetary gifts.

It was also a time to give gifts to the employees of the great houses and for the tradesmen that had served through the year. Gifts were given to postmen, delivery people, purveyors and shop keepers as well as any employees in your home or estate.

Boxing Day also includes lots of other opportunites that are more active...from after Christmas sales... the photo below was taken outside Harrods for the Boxing Day sale... and included a red carpet and refreshments being served to those waiting in line to enter with strict capacity controlled at any time.

 to fox hunting, which is a famous activity for Boxing Day, although not without controversy....

 Boxing Day hunt postcard... 1910 Bicester

I found a great video of a 2007 fox hunt on You Tube which I have added at the end of the post.

Hunting scenes have always been a popular theme on English country house decor...

And hunting horse brasses are always popular....

And starts today...

Cheers!