The Retirement Newsletter: Happy Boxing Day
Issue Number: -108 — Looking back on 2021 and answering the big question — what is Boxing Day?
Welcome
Welcome to issue -108 of the retirement newsletter.
I hope you had a great Christmas and Happy Boxing Day.
If you’re reading this on the 26th of December 2021, then today, in the UK, is Boxing Day. And, if you’re not from the UK, you might be asking, “what is Boxing Day?” and if you are, I will explain below.
Also, in this issue, I will have a brief look back at 2021.
Boxing Day
So, what is Boxing Day?
Well, it is not an easy one to answer. As far as I know, it is a British tradition that has spread to some Commonwealth Countries. The exact meaning behind Boxing Day has been lost.
Boxing Day is always the day after Christmas Day, so the 26th of December, and it is a public (bank) holiday in the UK.
These days, Boxing Day is the beginning of the post-Christmas sales. The shops will start advertising their discounts before Christmas (furniture shops) or on the afternoon of Christmas Day (other shops). The sales are to clear any remaining Christmas stock, and you can get some good bargains.
Boxing Day is also a day of local fox hunting meets in the UK.
And there are also local Boxing Day traditions such as neighbourhoods meeting for a walk or people going for open water swims.
How did Boxing Day start?
As a kid, I was told that the day after Christmas, the' big houses' with servants gave the servants the day off (the servants would have worked Christmas Day) and presented them with 'Christmas Boxes' containing gifts. Hence, 'Boxing Day'. This idea of a day off, and gifts, was then rolled out to other service people such as delivery people and messengers. It was a way of tipping people for good service over the year. You would give the person their 'Christmas Box'. However, this version is most probably a Victorian invention. I could never see where 'boxes' came into it. Why wasn't it 'Brown Envelope Day'?
A competing idea for the origin of Boxing Day, which I quite like, is that Boxing Day was the day on which money was given to the poor. I like this idea for several reasons — timing and alms boxes.
Churches in the UK (and in a lot of countries) often have alms boxes where people can donate to support the poor of the parish. I can imagine that at Christmas, with all the people going to church and a general feeling of giving, alms boxes would receive many donations. Hence, bulging alms boxes, and so the day after Christmas would be a good day to distribute the money. Hence, Boxing Day. The opening of the alms boxes to support the poor.
From the distribution of money from the alms boxes, I can see how this changed to tipping your staff and giving Christmas boxes.
Do you have a different story of why Boxing Day is called Boxing Day? If you do, please leave it as a comment below.
Reflecting on 2021
Wow! What a year! Thanks to COVID-19, I thought 2020 sucked. It turns out, 2021 was even worse. So, let's not be all doom and gloom; let's look at ten good things about 2021.
I am a year closer to retiring than a year ago.
My pension investments have had a bumpy, but overall, a good year.
I started the year with a bit of a health scare, but it turned out to be nothing.
I got two COVID-19 jabs and a booster. As a biochemist, I am amazed at the speed at which the vaccines have been developed and their underlying technology. (I am still blown away by the mRNA vaccine technology. So cool, with so much potential.)
Nothing has fallen off or started to significantly play up on my body.
Famous last words — I haven't had COVID-19.
I have spent the year working from home — I never want to go back to the office full time. I certainly don't miss the commute.
Although I have not travelled further than 60 miles (ca. 100 km) from my home, I have had a year of fun and adventure exploring the local area.
I started a newsletter. It seems odd to have on this list, but I enjoy writing a weekly newsletter.
Well, that's worrying and depressing — I can't think of ten things!
Do you have ten things you were grateful for in 2021? If you would like to share, please leave them as a comment below.
Health
A quick reminder. Don't try to make the turkey last too long because you could end up with food poisoning if you do. And, if you have not already done so, get your COVID-19 and flu jabs.
Useful links
OK, so this week, some links that might be useful over the festive break.
To help you avoid poisoning yourself and your guests with a poorly cooked turkey:
If you do become ill with food poisoning, COVID-19 or the flu, you may find these health-related websites useful:
NHS COVID-19 website — numerous links to information on COVID-19
CDC COVID-19 website — many links to information on COVID-19
And finally, the two safe travel sites:
Next week
Next week — I am looking forward to 2022. What will I be looking forward to in 2022, and what are my predictions for the coming year?
Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter, and please don't hesitate to share it with your friends or on social media using the buttons below.
If you would like to say 'thanks' for the newsletter, why not buy me a cup of tea?
Until next time,
Nick
PS, If you have something you would like to contribute to the newsletter — a story, advice, anything — please get in touch.