It's Boxing Day in England and her Commonwealth Countries—the national ("bank") holiday on the first weekday following Christmas. Back "in the old days," household servants were expected to work on Christmas Day, serving their employers at their holiday celebrations. Instead, working servants would receive the next day off, 26 December, as their holiday. The term "Boxing Day" refers to the custom of these servants (and other tradesmen) coming-by the big house to collect their "boxes"—their gifts from their employers. Such boxes might include a gift, money, or other items (like food or alcohol) which the servant could use at his or her own family celebration.
Boxing Day, which is believed to have been celebrated first in the 1600's, may have grown-out-of the earlier custom of giving gifts to the poor on The Feast of Stephen, 26 December. The Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslas, tells the story of the Bohemian Duke Wenceslaus (who later became a Saint) who braved the terrible winter weather to take alms to the poor on the Feast of Stephen (Boxing Day).
The Victorian English box, shown above, is made of mahogany. Its top is inlaid with mother-of-pearl lozenges. It even has its original key! Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248