Christ-Mass: Day 2 (Boxing Day)

“On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves ...”

It wasn't available last year, but it is now, the video of the á cappella group Straight No Chaser singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" -- well, after a fashion. As this is published, yours truly is out running errands somewhere. I know what you're thinking: “Hey, Mister Black Hat Guy, you’re being a lackey for the over-commercialization of Christmas by joining the maddening crowds for day-after-Christmas specials.” Hah! Foolish minions! I always do this on a Saturday. I'll only appear to be a lackey.

Today is "Boxing Day" in Canada, the UK, and other nations of the Commonwealth. On Christmas itself, the master of the house would give presents to his family. On the following day, he would arrange for leftovers from his great feast to be given to his domestic staff in boxes that they could take home. Eventually, it became customary to box other gifts as well. In any case, they get another day off. So, here's a shout to our friendly neighbors to the north, with a very helpful explanation of the feast, courtesy of a Canadian garage band (well, it kinda looks like they're in a garage, or maybe their parents' basement, whatever...) known as the "Holiday Hipsters," singing "Carol of the Boxing Day."

Meanwhile, the Irish celebrate this as a national holiday, too, only as Saint Stephen's Day.
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