Like a great many yuletide traditions, Boxing Day was invented by the Victorians. It has nothing whatsoever to do with pugilism, but rather, as a day on which servants took home boxed presents from their masters to give to their family. It was a charitable gesture - the rich would give presents to the poor at Christmas, or, at least, the day after, which they had off. This probably emerged from a sense of duty, both Christian and civic, attitudes which informed so much of this period.

Boxing Day today has lost the meaning but retained the name. It might be better to call it Bargain Day, since it has become yet another excuse to go shopping and buy more things. In fact, it is the biggest retail day of the year. You know where I am going with this, so I will say no more.