Wednesday, December 10, 2025
??? Boxing Day: From Charity to Celebration
Boxing Day reminds us that the holidays aren’t just about receiving—they’re about giving, gathering, and carrying the spirit of Christmas forward.Boxing Day Explained: History, Traditions, and Modern Celebrations After Christmas
Boxing Day, observed every year on December 26, is one of those holidays that sparks curiosity. For many, it’s simply the day after Christmas—a chance to relax, shop the sales, or catch a sporting event. But the story behind Boxing Day is far richer, rooted in centuries of tradition and generosity.
?? A Brief History
- Origins in the UK: Boxing Day began in Britain during the Middle Ages. It was a day when wealthy households gave boxes of food, money, or goods to servants and the poor.
- Church Connection: Some historians trace the name to alms boxes placed in churches, opened on December 26 to distribute donations.
- Saint Stephen’s Day: The holiday coincides with the Christian feast of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, known for his acts of charity.
?? Modern Traditions
- Shopping Frenzy: Today, Boxing Day is synonymous with massive sales across the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Think of it as their version of Black Friday.
- Sports & Community: Football matches, cricket games, and even fox hunts have long been part of the day’s festivities.
- Family Time: Beyond commerce and sport, many still see it as a day to extend the warmth of Christmas—sharing leftovers, visiting friends, or giving back.
?? Global Perspective
While Boxing Day is widely celebrated in Commonwealth nations, it never fully took root in the United States. For Americans, December 26 is often just a quiet day to recover from Christmas. But globally, it remains a vibrant continuation of the holiday season.
Here are this weeks Picks for the Holiday Guide 2025.
?? HLTH Code Complete Meal
A creamy, keto-friendly shake packed with 27g protein, healthy fats, and gut-friendly ingredients. Perfect for busy mornings, post-party resets, or travel days when wellness needs to be quick and delicious.
Pull Quote:
“HLTH Code is indulgent wellness in a glass—no prep, no guilt, just clean fuel.”
I love the Vanilla and Chocolate Macadamia flavors and the handy shaker makes it easy to make a shake anywhere!
Tate’s Bake Shop: Crispy, Buttery Joy in Every Bite
Tate’s Bake Shop has become a beloved name for cookie lovers everywhere, thanks to its signature thin, crispy, and buttery cookies that strike the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Founded in Southampton, New York, Tate’s has grown from a local gem into a nationally adored brand while staying true to its artisanal roots.
Their holiday offerings are especially irresistible—beautifully packaged assortments of cookies, brownies, and gift tins that make thoughtful presents or festive additions to any gathering. Whether you’re indulging in their classic chocolate chip or exploring seasonal flavors, Tate’s Bake Shop delivers a taste of homemade warmth with every bite. I just love the limited edition flavors they have for the Holidays also besides the Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Nanoleaf Light Therapy Wand is a versatile, FDA-cleared skincare device that combines six treatment modes—red light, blue light, near-infrared, vibration, heating, and cooling—into one handheld tool. It’s designed to target wrinkles, acne, and skin rejuvenation, offering professional-style treatments at home. This is a great beauty gift, I love the way it makes my skin feel after a few treatments, but it even helps with sore joints. ..makes a perfect, unique gift for that special someone.
Tiny Easel Tiny Easel offers charming, mess-free art kits designed to spark creativity in kids. With high-quality, non-toxic supplies and guided activities, these portable sets make art time fun and easy—perfect for holiday gifting and inspiring little artists everywhere. I love the tiny canvas and easel as well as the mini art kits..turns any little one into a budding Leaonardo DaVinci
Bel Essence stands out in the crowded skincare market by offering all-natural, cruelty-free, and sustainable products. Their formulas are crafted with plant oils and extracts that deliver maximum benefits without harsh chemicals. Customers praise the line for its ability to smooth fine lines, restore firmness, and balance skin tone, making it a thoughtful gift for anyone seeking healthier, radiant skin. Love how this feels on my skin and nice to know thatthese products do not contain harsh chemicals. Makes a great unique gift and some of the products are great for stocking stuffers!
FragranceNet.com FragranceNet.com is a trusted online retailer offering thousands of designer perfumes, colognes, and beauty products at discounted prices. With frequent sales, coupon codes, and a wide variety of gift sets, it’s a go-to destination for holiday shoppers looking to give luxury scents without breaking the budget. This is my favorite place to find almost any fragrance and beauty product and they make it so easy to find gifts. So I tried Dr Hauschka foundation and brow products. I have always used Dr Hauschka for skin care and was surprised to see thet they also have cosmetics. Lots of unique and hard to find products there
Crumps’ Naturals Crumps’ Naturals is a Canadian pet brand known for its simple, wholesome treats made with limited, natural ingredients. Their products—like freeze-dried liver, sweet potato chews, and dental sticks—are crafted without additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors, making them a healthy choice for dogs and cats. With a focus on quality and transparency, Crumps’ Naturals gives pet owners peace of mind and furry friends delicious, nutritious snack. My fur babies just love the treats and I love that they are so good for them. Makes the perfect gift for those fur babies!
Pit Master Gloves Heat-resistant, durable gloves designed for grilling and cooking, giving chefs and BBQ lovers safe, confident control. I love that these gloves are fire proof and food safe so I use them in my kitchen, for grilling and even to feed my fireplace. Perfect unique gift for a foodie or someone that loves to barbecue.
Phone Soap Basic UV Sanitizer & Toothbrush Sanitizer These compact UV sanitizers are designed to keep everyday essentials germ-free. The phone sanitizer uses ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria and viruses from your device in minutes, while the toothbrush sanitizer ensures oral care tools stay hygienic between uses. Portable, easy to use, and chemical-free, they make thoughtful holiday gifts for anyone focused on health and cleanliness. Love how I can take this with me in my travels, so this makes a great gift especially for those that travel lot!
Honest Beauty’s Hydrogel Cream (often marketed as Hydra Nature) is a lightweight, vegan moisturizer powered by hyaluronic acid. It delivers refreshing hydration with a cooling feel, leaving skin soft, dewy, and balanced without heaviness. Gentle, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin, it’s a clean beauty pick that makes a thoughtful holiday gift. Whoever gets this as a gift will love the way this takes care of their skin! Its a great way to moisturize without having to fee like you have a heavy creatm, feels so light on my skin but moisturizes well!
Asus ZenBook is a fantastic gift for professionals, students, or creatives who value portability, premium design, and a stunning display. It’s best suited for productivity, streaming, and light creative work, but not heavy gaming or workstation-level tasks. I am recording my podcasts and zoom meetings on mine and love it. It is light and so convenient to use and so powerful and gest great reviews everywhere!
Java Factory Java Factory makes fun, flavorful coffee pods with blends like Vanilla Dream and Choconut. Affordable and compatible with most single-serve brewers, they’re a convenient way to enjoy bold coffee at home. I loveth fun flavors for not only regular but decaaf as well. They have 40 cup sampler boxes that make great gifts for any coffee lover.
Zomee Pregnancy Pillow & Bag Zomee’s pregnancy pillow offers full-body support to ease back and hip discomfort, helping expectant moms rest more comfortably. Their maternity and hospital bags are thoughtfully designed with practical compartments, making them convenient for everyday use and hospital stays. Together, they’re affordable, comfort-focused essentials that make caring holiday gifts. You will find unique and thoughtful gifts here for the expectant mom! The pregancy pillow is a full body pillow that can be a confortable gift for anyone
VariButcher Block Electric Standing Desk and TempurPedic Office Chairs A stylish sit-stand desk with a durable butcher block finish, smooth electric height adjustment, and sturdy frame. Easy to assemble and built for everyday use, it’s a practical upgrade for any home office. I love this sit stand desk, its perfect for me since I have to be in front of the computer for long periods of time- whether recording my podcasts or videos or writing. So being able to alternate from sitting to standing throoughout the day is important for me. The tempurpedic chair keeps me in comfort for a long day in front of the computer But I love that they are both so stylish and are both becoming part of my podcast studio shortly. Stay tuned to view! But dont just stop at these 2 products if you are putting together your home office or want to gift soemone a stylish home office this is the perfect place!
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions- 2nd editionThis cookbook celebrates authentic Italian traditions with festive recipes tailored for holidays and gatherings. It blends classic flavors with easy-to-follow instructions, making it approachable for home cooks while still capturing the elegance of Italian cuisine. A warm, inviting guide that turns special occasions into memorable feasts
For more gifts listen to The Maria Liberati Show Podcast heard anywhere podcasts are heard