Christmas Box

Christmas Box, a small money-gift to persons in an inferior condition on the day after Christmas, which is hence popularly called Boxing-day. The term, and also the custom, are essentially English, though the making of presents at this season and at the New Year is of great antiquity. A number of interesting particulars concerning the Christmas box will be found in Brand's Popular Antiquities and in Notes and Queries. Within the memory of middle-aged persons, the practice of giving Christmas boxes had become such a serious social nuisance that tradesmen stuck up notices in their windows that no Christmas boxes would be given; and at the same time the public authorities issued remonstrances to the same effect. At Christmas 1836 the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs issued a circular to the different embassies, requesting a discontinuance of the customary gifts to the messengers of the Foreign Department and other government servants. Since this period the practice has greatly decreased, doubtless to the improvement of the self-respect of the parties interested.