Boxing Day, interestingly enough, has absolutely nothing to do with pugilism.

Celebrated the day after Christmas, it is still unclear how the day became a holiday, though homage is paid to it throughout the Commonwealth and in many European countries.

While the celebration of the day after Christmas is a mystery, and everybody loves a good mystery, the theories people have come up with over the years are even more interesting.

One such theory suggests Boxing Day's roots can be traced to Britain. A likely idea, bearing in mind the geography and history of the places which observe the day.

In Britain, Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen's Day. On that day, boxes are placed in churches and coins for the poor deposited there and distributed to the poor. The use of the boxes is said to account for the name. A variation of that theory says leftover food would be boxed for the poor. However, a practice like that would be hardly likely to catch fire in Jamaica, since it would be seen as rude to give someone your leftovers.

Another perfectly acceptable theory is that some servants were required to work on Christmas Day. Those servants were given the next day off, and when they would leave to visit their families their employers would give them gift boxes to take home.

packing away decorations

A little more far-fetched is the idea that the day is for packing away decorations in boxes, where they will stay until it is time for festivities a year later.

In Jamaica, many people use the day to give to those who take care of them throughout the year. This means the postman, the garbage collector, the dedicated helper receive what are called Christmas boxes, an extra-something just to say they're appreciated. Sporting events are also very popular on the day. It is not unusual for families to spend the day at a football game or at horse racing. Sting, an annual stage show, showcasing the most popular artistes and sound systems, is another event that has become synonymous with the day. However, it must be said that there is no relationship between the stage show and the day.

At risk youths get support from family

Families of at-risk youth who enrolled in crime-prevention skills-training programmes are now being drafted into family engagement workshops to boost their support for participants and to strengthen family bonds.

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) of the Ministry of National Security kicked off the first in its series of workshops that are bringing at-risk youth trainees and their spouses, parents and significant others, face to face in a safe and supportive environment.

Marcia Flynn, CSJP community action officer, said the workshops were designed to assist families to better support their family members involved in CSJP programmes. In highly interactive sessions, family members learn of issues at home which might be affecting the performance of trainees. The workshops also help family members share ideas and solutions with others who may be encountering similar issues.

parenting tips

The inaugural workshop involved family members of approximately 40 persons who are enrolled in HEART Level 2 courses in computer repairs, welding, air conditioning and refrigeration.

Family members were involved in discussions on parental roles and responsibilities. The group received basic parenting tips on: The need to express love and affection; listening, helping the family feel safe; providing order; encouraging responsibility, and offering praise.

Flynn said the session was a good one with useful feedback from those who participated.

The workshop follows a family engagement pilot in Trench Town between November 2008 and April 2009, involving the family members of a group of 32 Level one CSJP beneficiaries being trained in electrical installation.

Flynn said the Family Engagement Workshops help parents and spouses of the trainees to understand the underlying issues impacting their performance in the programmes. Participants learned that issues impacting behaviour include nutrition, comfort, self-esteem, communicating, managing stress and anger, coping with depression, abuse, and single parenting.

A total of eight workshops will be held every month as part of efforts to get families involved in supporting trainees to successfully complete their courses.