MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, BOXING DAY

 MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, BOXING DAY

Great Britain takes the day after Christmas as a holiday called “Boxing Day”.

Wikipedia says:

“Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December). Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday. It originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in several countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on 28 December if necessary to ensure it falls on a weekday. Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Catholic holiday Saint Stephen's Day. “

“In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors.”

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In the United States, it seems as if “Boxing Day” (which isn’t observed) takes on a different flavor.  It is a day of returning or exchanging merchandise.

The expression “Many Happy Returns of the Day” is a way of “wishing someone a happy birthday and expressing the hope that he or she will live to celebrate many more birthdays in the future.”

But, it seems on the day after Christmas, “many happy returns” means returning merchandise that didn’t fit (or isn’t the desire of the receiver) to exchange their presents for something else.  

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I worked for Kohl’s Department Stores as a customer service representative for one holiday season (as a temporary employee).  Exchanges were common.  One lady seemed like she liked to shop and was in the store two or three times a week and exchanged things frequently.  Her son didn’t like to come with her to pick out clothes, so she’d “buy” several items and take them home for him to try at home, and return with the ones he didn’t like.  

Last year my friend Mary got a present from her daughter and it just wasn’t her style so we took it back to Kohl’s to exchange.  (She doesn’t drive, so I’m her designated driver).  Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything that she liked then.  

Some like the item, but prefer that item in a different color.  (I wear clothes in any color, as long as it is RED!!! <grin>).  Sometimes the exchange is equal - no money to be exchanged.  The original purchase was (say) $20, and the new item is $20.  Sometimes the new item is less, so the person gets money back, and sometimes the new item is more, and the person has to pay something to cover the higher price. 

That particular store wanted to keep customers happy.  But, some things just couldn’t be exchanged.  They had to be a product that the store sold. For example, if a customer brought in some jeans from Old Navy, we couldn’t exchange them. 

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Okay, where are you going, Karen?

Well - maybe we can exchange some aspects of our life?  Can I exchange 15 pounds off my middle for a new red dress?  Can I exchange my attitude on some days for one that is more loving?  Can I exchange my neighbor for a nicer person?  

Later this week, I’ll be talking about New Year’s Resolutions.  Maybe, if I try hard enough, and work on my New Year’s Resolutions enough, I can exchange a bad habit for a good habit?  

Can I use an “undo” button on my life to take back things that I said that I didn’t mean?  Can I have a beeper to go back a minute and change how I did something?  

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Exchanges and “boxing day” can be made - but it seems like there is a process.  The process is:

Get the item as a Christmas gift

Decide you don’t want the item

Wrap the item up

Return to the store

Wait in line

Exchange it for something you like

Go home satisfied

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But, sometimes we don’t want to go through the hassle.  

Change can be hard, and exchanges can be hard.

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So, are you exchanging any presents in the next few days that you got for Christmas?  

Are you thinking of changing something in your life that you can change (or exchange) in the New Year?

LOVE DOES WIN

LOVE DOES TRANSFORM

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © DECEMBER 26, 2022