A Christmas box is, in English tradition, a clay box used in artisan shops. Apprentices, masters, visitors, customers, and others would put donations of money into the box, like a piggy bank, and then, after Christmas, the box would be shattered and all the contents shared among the workers of the shop. Thus, masters and customers could donate bonuses to the workers anonymously, and the employees could average their wages. The habit of breaking the Christmas box lent its name to Boxing Day. The term "Christmas box" now refers generally to a gift or pay bonus given to workers.
Boxing Day now is marked by big post-Christmas sales, but more importantly, the traditional Boxing Day Test in cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Today is the first day of the five day test, Australia versus South Africa. I won't be going to the sales; I'll be watching the cricket. I don't have a favourite player since Adam Gilchrist retired, it might be time for me to choose a new favourite. Maybe Michael Clarke, since his nickname is Pup.
I hope everypup and kitty got lots of presents or treats for Christmas! I got this special present: the wonderful Maggy, Zoey and their human Ann over at Zoolatry made this wonderful picture for me, and the other Australian blogging kitties. Thanks Maggy, Zoey and Ann!
17 comments:
I always thought it was Boxer's Day, until Stormy taught me differently.
So what are the crickets playing? It's too cold for bugs to do much of anything around here!
Play bows,
Zim
Very interesting!
I hope you had a wonderful day!
Kisses
Addie
I think every kitty should get a brand new box to play in for Boxing Day,...and maybe a bonus paid in Temptations.
Happy Boxing Day.
Hi Huffle,
You are so super smart! I hope you enjoy your TV time. Maybe you can have a snack of ham and beer. That sounds like it would go good with TV time.
Ozzie
Huh, mommy always thawt it was called "Boxing Day" because after yoo gots all da new stuf on Krissmouse yoo boxed up yoor old stuff to give to charity...well, she gots dat from gramma so it's not all mom's fawlt.
Kate's heart broke when Gillie retired, but now she kind of likes Mr Cricket. Poor Haydos had another bad morning. We Tassies hope that Punter can have a big day today. Looks like the MCG is packed. Imagine getting to roll on that lush, manucured surface! But not with all those people there.
Is there anything better than sitting in one of your new boxes, on Boxing Day, watching the cricket? It's a good life for a cat.
Is this a day fur Gucci or Chef?
Oh wait, I get it now!
Happy 26th - only eight more months until my Gotcha Day!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: So, was there an explosion in your house yet?
Very interesting, Huffle. None of us here in OP knew that about Boxing Day.
Cricket??? What's that? We thought they were bugs that make a lot of noise.
Woos, the OP Pack
We always wondered what Boxing Day is... thanks for the edWOOcation!
WOOOO woo rar rar rar,
Kayla and Maebe
Thanks for explaining that. Momma had heard the term but never understood what it meant.
Princess Eva
Woo. Happy Boxing Day to you Huffle!
Hugs,
Sitka
Did you get boxed up? I hid in a big paper bag for a while today, but no boxes.
Thanks again for the lovely Christmas card you sent us!
Meow,
Wilbur
That's interesting, I didn't know that! Thanks for visiting. As you know I am on my way to Tassie on a Maxi. Come and teleport over - we can meet at Pablo's and have a chilled niptini!
Duh! We though boxing day is when they had all the after Christmas prize fights. Now we know the truth behind boxing day. Thanks Huffle. Did you get your ham?
- TBH
Meow Meow Huffle
Happy Boxer's day!
Purrs
MrSippi, Carolina and MrSippi
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