(VOVWORLD) - Boxing Day is celebrated each year on December 26th, the day after Christmas, in countries around the world. In the past, it was a day for giving to the less fortunate. today Boxing Day has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. Our guest on this week’s Cultural Rendezvous, Beth Nuttall of the UK, will tell us more about Boxing Day.
 Beth and family members gathering at Christmas Eve (Photo credit: Beth Nuttall) |
Bao Tram: Welcome, Beth Nuttall, to VOV’s Cultural Rendezvous! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Beth Nuttall: Hi my name is Beth. I'm 29 and from Addlestone in Surrey, England.
Bao Tram: Can you briefly explain the origin of the name Boxing Day?
Beth Nuttall: Boxing Day is the day after Christmas when it’s typically from history when the wealthier more affluent people would box up gifts they have and give them to the poor, hence the name Boxing Day. I think only the UK, Australia, and Canada celebrate it, though I am not certain if other countries do. America certainly does not.
Bao Tram: What do Britons usually do on this day?
Beth Nuttall: As it is a public holiday so a lot of places are closed. But I think now it is mostly an additional day off from work when people often relax, go shopping, watch sports games, and spend more time with their families.
Bao Tram: Are there any special foods or drinks specific to Boxing Day?
Beth Nuttall: I’m not really aware there is any special food or drink recipes that are typically used on Boxing Day. My family does not have any special food or drink on Boxing Day other than leftovers from Christmas Day, so ham sandwiches and Christmas cake.
Bao Tram: What are the highlights of Boxing Day?
Beth Nuttall: I would say for the adults the highlight of Boxing Day is that it is another day off from work and we just take time to relax, take naps, each eat lots of delicious food. And for kids, I would say certainly they have more time to hang out at home, more time to spend with their family, and play with any presents they may have received.
Bao Tram: What do you and your family like to do on Boxing Day?
Beth Nuttall: My family on Boxing Day just spends time together eating lots of chocolates and leftovers, playing with any Christmas presents we have gotten, especially electronic gifts to figure out how they work, and spend time together, because we don’t always do that. My family spends a lot of time watching TV and maybe some holiday movies.
Bao Tram: Thank you, Beth Nuttall, for joining us today and sharing with us some interesting facts about Boxing Day.
Beth Nuttall: Goodbye, thanks for having me.