The true meaning of Boxing Day, celebrated the day after Christmas, still remains a mystery across the world.

"To me it means leftovers," said Vivian Crawford, executive director of the Institute of Jamaica. Crawford told The Gleaner that it was traditional for people in England to box food left over from Christmas to give to those less fortunate.

However, he noted that this tradition is not practised in Jamaica because it would be an insult to offer Jamaicans 'wat left'.

Don't fully understand

Jamaicans traditionally celebrate the holiday without fully understanding what it means. For some, it is a continuation of Christmas Day, when they have family reunions, cookouts or attend one or more of the events held on the day.

"I usually spend time with my family or go out with friends," said Aeika Pitter, a 22-year-old university graduate.

Sting, which is now a staple in the lives of many entertainment enthusiasts, is one event on the minds of many.

"It cyah miss mi," said an excited 21-year-old, who told The Gleaner this year would mark her third time attending the popular stage show.

Seeking perfect outfits

The student, who did not wish to give her name, was shopping in downtown Kingston recently and said she and her friends were feverishly searching for the perfect outfits for the event.

"A years mi a go Sting and not even one year can miss mi," said George, a 34-year-old higgler who sells his goods in downtown Kingston.

However, while some Jamaicans will be anxiously awaiting Boxing Day to attend Sting, a family reunion, a cookout or any other event, people in other parts of the world will be preparing Christmas boxes with gifts to give to the less fortunate. According to one source, this is a tradition that has been practised for years in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and other countries of the Commonwealth.

Other theories about Boxing Day

It was the day when people would give a present or Christmas box to those who had worked for them throughout the year.

In England, it was common practice for servants to carry boxes to their employers on the first day of work. Their employers would then put coins in the boxes as special end-of-year gifts.

It was traditional for churches to open their donation box on Christmas Day. The money inside would be distributed to the poorer citizens on the next day.

In England, servants had to work on Christmas Day and then they would be given the following day off. Their masters would then box the leftover food from Christmas Day for them to take home to their families.

Information taken from wikipedia.com