After a year of good citizenship, social distancing, and following the vaccine protocol of the CDC, we McCoy’s decided it was time to resurrect our family’s annual Boxing Day Party.
The Definition of Boxing Day
For most of us Americans who have not heard of Boxing Day: it is the day after Christmas, December 26th. It originated in the United Kingdom as a day for giving to the poor. The thought was, as you receive new presents you, in turn, box up your old items and donate them. Or, as we say today, recycle.
For us McCoy’s, Boxing Day began about 15 years ago, when son Gray brought a friend home from college for Christmas. His friend was from England and making the trip home was too expensive, so he decided to spend his holiday with us. To our good fortune, Gray’s friend, Ed, was also a very talented concert pianist. During one of Ed’s daily, enjoyable practice sessions on our family piano, it occurred to me I should invite some friends over to enjoy this talented young man’s artistry. When planning the party/concert (jokingly called “Playing For His Supper”) to be the day after Christmas, Ed told me about the history of Boxing Day in the UK.
Tradition Begins
Though Ed never visited again, we continued our Boxing Day tradition. Today it is a multi-generational, in-and-out-of-town, all-ages guestlist. The once college kids are now young adults. The late night reveling doesn’t last as late. And the conversations have turned from where are you going to school and who are you dating to jobs, babies, and “what are you smoking?”
Within this tradition is the best tradition of all. Year after year, at 9 PM, everyone at the party gathers to form 12 groups for the Twelve Days of Christmas singalong … maybe I should say shout-a-long. You’ll see what I mean.
You don’t need any good vocalists to start this singalong Christmas tradition in your home, just some fun-loving folks. Happy Holidays everyone!
