The day after Christmas is meant for resting, not just for Santa, but for all the people in our country, as it’s a public holiday. Every family has different post-Christmas traditions through which they celebrate Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen.
This year we thought we could give you some inspiration on how to celebrate Boxing Day with your kids. In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly Boxing Day is, its origins, and its significance. We’ll also share some “Boxing Day for kids” teaching resources and examples of how you and your children can celebrate together.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
What’s Boxing Day?
Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen, is a secular holiday in the United States celebrated the day after Christmas Eve (26th of December). Colloquially, Boxing Day is also referred to as Santa’s resting day because he had just delivered presents to all children around the world.
The main purpose of Boxing Day is to raise awareness about the service workers who work for us throughout the whole year. Also, it’s a day to take things slow and spend time with the family. St. Stephen was known for helping the poor by giving them money and food, which is why doing charity work, volunteering, or donating clothes and food is also a common way of commemorating Boxing Day.
History of Boxing Day
The origin of Boxing Day is most commonly associated with the times when servants of rich families had to work on Christmas Day, after which they were given gift boxes as compensation and were allowed to take the day next day off, so they could spend it with their family.
However, in Ireland, and other European countries, this day is still known as “St. Stephen’s Day,” which has a different history. St. Stephen is believed to be the first Christian martyr and a Christian deacon in Jerusalem. He defended his faith before the rabbinic court, which has led to him being stoned to death. His day was celebrated on August 3, but when he died, his death was remembered as the Feast of St. Stephen on December 26th.
As you can see, Boxing Day is celebrated all around the world in different ways. The traditions are unique and beautiful. Find out more about this in our Boxing Day Facts & Worksheets bundle, which you can download from our website. Aside from the interesting facts and information, in the bundle, you’ll find some fun Boxing Day quizzes, crossword puzzles, and word search activities, you can solve together with your child.
Celebrating Boxing Day for Kids
In the United States, Boxing Day is the day when many people who had to work for Christmas receive gift bags and take the day off. However, these traditions are slowly fading and today, Boxing Day traditions depend heavily on the country you live in.
However, families can celebrate Boxing Day with kids by opening gifts, playing sports with the whole family, spending quality time together, giving clothes and food to charity, or simply teaching children to become aware and be grateful for the people around us whose job is essential, so we can enjoy the life we have today (doorman, postal worker, delivery person, and others).
Here are some good books about Boxing Day for kids:
- The First Boxing Day by James L. Orwin.
- December Holidays from around the World by Baby Professor.
- What Does Santa Do on Boxing Day? by Becky Plenderleith and Allan Plenderleith.
Before You Leave
Getting up late after Christmas Eve and being sluggish the whole day is not unusual. We all deserve some time off of daily life, but kids are usually energetic and ready for the next thing right away. Learning about and celebrating Boxing Day can be a good balance. It doesn’t require too much energy or preparation, yet it does give the day a purpose.
With our interactive worksheet bundle, you and your child can learn about the holiday and play some fun quizzes and crossword puzzles. Hey, maybe you can even make the DIY Cocoa Kit we told you how to make in our “Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids” article while reading your children books or watching movies.
Once you’re ready to take more action, our team at KidsKonnect will have your back with new and high-quality printable worksheets, curriculums, and lesson plans for the upcoming season. All you need to do is browse through our worksheet library.
Don’t forget to also check out our blog, where we regularly share insightful pieces of advice regarding children’s education.
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Link will appear as Celebrate Boxing Day With Your Kids: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 23, 2020