Just like the story of the traditional gulbiena, the origin of boxing day is not as set in stone as much as the day is set in our calendar and traditions. What is certain, and what prevails till today, is that it is a day primarily focused on giving.

There are a few theories by historians as to how the name could have come about, however, the exact initiation remains ambiguous. The birth of Boxing Day theory begins in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century, circa Charles Dickens era, before spreading to all countries which, at some point or other, were part of the British Empire (hello, Malta).

Potentially one of the earliest factual nods to the existence of the day was by the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1830s, which defined boxing day as “the first week-day after Christmas-day, observed as a holiday on which post-men, errand-boys and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas-box.”

The term ‘Christmas-box’ apparently referred to a present which was given by upper-class masters to servants on Boxing Day, filled with gifts and perhaps money or leftover food, which they would be able to share with their own families on the day.

Another theory of origin comes from the old European tradition of boxes of alms which were placed in churches on the 26th of December, also known as the feast of St. Stephen, to collect money and special offerings for the needy and those in service positions. This is an old European Tradition which goes back as far as the middle ages.

It is only in recent years that boxing day has been commercially linked to other concepts, such as sports events or shopping sales. Meanwhile, In some European countries, like Poland and Hungary, it is an extended, or second, Christmas day.

Although centuries have passed since the beginning of Boxing Day, the idea of giving to the less fortunate has somewhat survived as a practice on the day.

In Malta, the ultimate event of giving is ‘L-Istrina’, by the Community Chest Fund’, which falls on Boxing Day. However, just like the age-old tradition, monetary giving is not the only sort of giving. On boxing day we often find ourselves with leftover food and presents which we do not really need. Why not give them to a local cause where others would benefit from them more than ourselves?