View Full Version : How do you spend Boxing Day?
I adore Christmas Day but I also love Boxing Day for different reasons[xmas1][xmas1]
Christmas Day is busy and full of fun but as I do all the cooking it is also quite hectic and of course there are the in laws[msneek][msneek]Bless them but after a few hours I have had enough[msnscared]
However Boxing day is much more chilled and relaxed, we do nothing except chill out and spend quality time with the children and watch anything good that's on the TV or any new DVD's that we got for Christmas or play any new games - Ah bliss I can't wait[clap][clap]
i have a similar situation going on with my outlaws:D a few hours is all i can stand they come christmas eve so i get this "joy" out of the way first
on boxing day i try to chill out usually by lying on the sofa like a big overstuffed turkey
i referee the childrens "differences of opinions" while my darling husband makes a big turkey curry which no-one can face because we are all still stuffed from the day before
ahh i cant wait either:D Mizzy
We will be spending Boxing day with my sister this year, which will be great[msnsmile2]
Cruella DeVilla
14-12-2005, 16:56
I always find Boxing day an anti climax as it is all over for another year:(. Think I might have a party, or have some posh nosh somewher, still to decide![xmas2]
We'll chill out all day, maybe nibble on a turkey sandwich or two, I shall bore the [bad language filtered out] out of everyone with my new iPod Nano and then in the evening, we will all put on our Sunday best and dancin' shoes and go out for some very posh Nosh too.
I shall begin the evening before we leave with a large Bombay Saphire and tonic, with 3 perfectly square ice cubes, chinking seductively against the side of a long, hand cut crystal tumbler, and reflect that now Christmas is over, I can begin to count down the 10 weeks to our 3 weeks in Florida in earnest.
Paula D-S
14-12-2005, 18:09
Paul you tell it real good[msnwink]
Boxing Day is spent visiting all my husbands aunts and uncles who tend to congregate in a different house each year. Then as most of their children are grown up now it's off to the nearest pub to get smashed.
As I won't take my girls anywhere smokey I hate this day as they don't seem to be bothered about smoking in front of them[gun][gun][gun]. I normally let my hubby go the pub with them all then I go off to my parents for tea as I am doing Christmas Dinner for my folks and my sisters with their children.
On Boxing Day we head over to the inlaws and go out for a fabulous meal. As well as the kids opening a mountain of presents on Christmas day, Grandma & Grandad bring along a Xmas stocking for each of the children packed will lots more presents. Oh to be a child again
kaysvacationvilla
14-12-2005, 18:39
Boxing Day?
It's the day after Christmas Day - also a bank/public holiday in the UK. It's also known as St Stephen's day, but not often referred to as such.
Called Boxing Day, I believe, because it was apparently traditional for the wealthier classes to give gifts or "boxes" to tradesmen who came calling to settle up their accounts. Maybe someone else has another explanation, but that's the one I was taught.
Tonish
No Boxing Day where we are, over in Florida. We've got workmen coming that day.
Boxing Day
a public holiday here in britain traditionally celebrated by spending time with your family
as a regular sunday school child this is what i was taught about boxing day
in medieval times alms boxes were placed in the back of churches to collect money or food to be distributed to the poor and needy of the community
alms boxes where not boxes as such but they where collecting bowls often made of clay and round in shape
the victorians embraced charity and they would package left over food from christmas in boxes to give to the poor the day after christmas hence the term boxing day
also known as saint stephens day feast day
as in "Good King Wencelas last looked out on the feast of stephen"
dolphinv
14-12-2005, 19:28
26th December is St. Stephen's day here in ireland, we will be flying to London early and then onwards to sunny Florida via Washington[msnwink]
This Boxing Day I shall be heading to Gatwick for the Twighlight check in before going to the hotel for a swim. Nest morning off to Florida for 3 weeks (almost) - can't wait :D[msncool]
sheenallan
14-12-2005, 19:39
We love boxing Day,its the day to chill out and relax,just hope nobody calls as we class boxing day as our day for doing exactly what we want to do,selfish perhaps but we have earned it.
Sheena.
Now that the children are grown up, I MUCH prefer Boxing Day, for the reasons mentioned above. It is a much more relaxing day, there are no huge food preparations going on and there is so much left over from Christmas Day that you don't have to think about a long stint in the kitchen, which really I object to if I am being honest, I think it is just damned hard work, where is the joy in being stuck primarily in the kitchen, the whole things just escapes me. Chloe
and of course theres the "boxing day dip"
it a tradition in itself from where i come from
because i live on the coast we have some rather brave or foolish people (depending on what way you look at it) run into the very cold north sea on boxing day morning to raise money for various charities
it s good to watch with a nice hot flask of chocolate from inside the car[msnsmile2]
LiesaAnna
14-12-2005, 20:10
Mizzy where do you live? its traditional here in Brighton for people to take a dip in the freezing cold sea!! mad!!
Boxing day, we only have my dad, in-laws passed away (they used to make our christmas's so special we miss them something terrible!!)
dad comes to us christmas day, and some of the kids will be popping in during the day with their little families, then boxing day, we rest!!! [msneek]christmas day will be so hectic, and boxing day we take it easy and do what we want, watch what we want, eat what we want!!!! and just bascially chill!!!!and of course reflect on christmas's gone by on what we used to do when Steves mum and dad and my mum were still alive............dont like christmas anymore, its a sad reminder of those we love and not here[msncry]
chrizzy100
14-12-2005, 20:29
Boxing day was our big Christmas day in the UK............we went to the inlaws for dinner and for the kids to have their gifts....
Years ago Boxing day was a big thing in our house.........our family are jewish...muslim...pagan...C.of.E....Catholic...and a mix of Catholic and an old South American Religion...the house would be full of all the family.....it would take all afternoon to pass out the gifts......
Boxing Day for us is like the second half of Christmas. We go to the in-laws and meet up with the rest of the family, have a lovely meal and then presents are exchanged.
Cruella DeVilla
14-12-2005, 21:08
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mizzy
and of course theres the "boxing day dip"
it a tradition in itself from where i come from
because i live on the coast we have some rather brave or foolish people (depending on what way you look at it) run into the very cold north sea on boxing day morning to raise money for various charities
it s good to watch with a nice hot flask of chocolate from inside the car[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
Oh we used to live in Paignton about 2 mintes from the sea front, you would not catch me getting in the water on Xmas day, well maybe this year as the pool looks so inviting[8D]
[msncry] You lucky thing[msncool] Have a great time:(:D[msnwink]
Sharon G
14-12-2005, 21:20
After a really hectic Christmas day, when I will have spent most of it in the kitchen cooking for 14, we will be going to my Brothers house to be pampered there!!!![msnwink][msnwink]
....don't like the thought of the dip in the sea[msneek]
Up here in Yorkshire, around our area, it is a big tradition on Boxing Day for the local "hunts" to meet at the local pubs in all their finery, horses looking really regal...although this year don't know whether they'll play the whole thing down with all the media attention on banning actual "fox" hunting!!
There are just the 4 (wife, me, No1 son who is 22 and No 2 son who is 20) of us on Xmas day. Lay in, do pressys, have brecky at 10:30, laze around, play a few games then about 7pm have chinese and lots of plonk. Boxing day there will be 10 of us for a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings plus plenty of liquid refreshment.
E. Cosgrove
15-12-2005, 02:27
My youngest has just moved into his own home with his partner, we will be going there on Boxing Day. First time since we moved away from tne North 20 years ago that we have had "family" to go to. We are really looking forward to it. :D
Aiminghigh
15-12-2005, 08:51
After a hectic Christmas Day, where I will be cooking for the extended family, we chill out! Play games with the children, have a good look at all their presents with them and just relax. In the evening,we will probably go round to our best friends of many years for a lazy, easy evening.
For many years on Boxing Day, we travelled to my in-laws for the afternoon and evening-the children hated it. We put a stop to it last year and it was a much nicer to do what WE wanted.
julieanne
15-12-2005, 13:20
Usually spend Boxing Day at my friends house, eating leftover Xmas dinner, Xmas cake and cheese [msntongue]
Playing with her son and all his new games and toys....
Boxing Day this year is my friends 50th birthday so will also be having a little celebration [beer]
Leisa
i live up north on the coast (not very far from harry potters hogwarts)
i have witnessed many a foolish "hard man" (or woman) run headlong into the sea on boxing day including my daughters head teacher and most of the staff from her special school to raise lots of funds
people tend to get dressed up for the event too we have chickens,tarzan,teddy boys,mr blobby etc its very :D but i shouldnt laugh really:D[clap]:D Mizzy
LiesaAnna
15-12-2005, 15:31
bless them!!! i do admire people who like to be a little different at times!!!
you wont catch me doing it tho!!![msneek]
Cruella DeVilla
15-12-2005, 15:58
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jovi
[msncry] You lucky thing[msncool] Have a great time:(:D[msnwink]
[/quote]
Thanks Vicky[beer]
Didn't know if I wanted to open this thread or not - I knew there would be some lucky people jetting off to Florida![msntongue]
Christmas day in our house is very exciting as I have a 4 year old so we do the whole Santa thing! She is soooooooo excited - already! (10 sleeps didn't you know???!!!). Then we will go to my Mums late afternoon after dinner and see friends and family there. We usually have a relaxing night on Christmas night after she goes to bed and have a few glasses of wine but not for me this year as I am expecting! Maybe a spritzer if I am brave!
Boxing day will be spent going out to lunch with the inlaws and then a very quiet night - probably eating chocolate!!!!
Looking forward to it! (but still v jealous about the florida trips!)
Lx
LiesaAnna
15-12-2005, 21:04
congratulations Laura!!!!
Ray&Sarah
15-12-2005, 22:05
We start Boxing Day with our boys opening their presents that are under the tree, a tradition started when they were little and had too many pressies to open. Then we just chill until tea time when we go to my in-laws for tea. Think my eldest might be working this year as he now has a part-time job.
I remember when we were in Florida for Christmas a few years ago that we an American asked us why Boxing Day was so called and my hubby told them it was because it was the day we took all the opened boxes to the tip.[msnoo]:D
orlandodaze
16-12-2005, 04:36
St Stephens day is a very special day for me . When I was a small child Christmas Day was a very lonely day for me being the only child of two elderly parents we were not allowed visit other family members that day so we had a very sedate Christmas dinner and the adults read their books and had a nice peaceful evening listening to the radio while I died of bordom . The next day we visited my favourite uncle and aunt and their 5 kids. We had a fantastic time at their home and that was my real Christmas , so I suppose thats why I go overboard at Christmas making up for all those lonely years . I love christmas we start off with friends and neighbours in for mince pies and mulled wine after Midnight Mass , then we have a lovely leisurely Christmas Day just spending quality time with those folks you love most . Then on St stephans Day we go visit close friends and carry on the Christmas cheer . Well its only another 364 days away !
Oh its lovely to hear how we spend this lovely way[clap][clap][clap]
LiesaAnna
17-12-2005, 14:26
Olive i think we used to be like that, when a teenager and i smoked but my parents didnt know, christmas was so long and boring as i couldnt "sneak"a ciggie, couldnt go meet up with friends or do anything, never had a big family outside of mum dad and brother and sister, guess thats why we had 6 kids, to keep each other company at christmas times in years to come!!!
it was going to be a quiet christmas for us as lots of the kids have left home and have various things to do, but apparently they will be popping in and out christmas day, so we will look forawrd to doing something for us on boxing day! not sure what tho!!
Hope you all have a great time[clap][clap][clap]