Boxing Day is called boxing day because it was the day the family opened a gift box for the poor.

The Christmas Box was often made of clay or wood and was where people placed gifts.

During the age of exploration, a Christmas Box would be placed on a ship for good luck. A priest would often place it there, and crewmen would drop money in it to ensure a safe return. If the ship returned safely, the priest would take the box and distribute the contents to the poor.

Every church in England had an alms box which was where folks placed money for the poor. The box was opened on Dec. 26 and the contents were distributed to the poor of the parish.

The tradition still continues today. Many of us give small tokens to local workers. Kids also collect things in boxes to be given to the local poor.