The day after Christmas is considered Boxing Day for our neighbors to the north and St. Stephen’s Day for most Christian religions — both celebrations encourage giving to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Nearly 30% of all annual giving is done in December — in fact 10% of all donations are made in the last three days of the year, according to Vanguard Charitable. Nonprofits know Americans tend to be more generous at the end of each year and plan accordingly. It’s one of the reasons end-of-year giving is so important.

There are many reasons donors tend to give more at the end of the year. There is a general feeling of goodwill that is heightened during the holiday season of course, but there is also the more practical goal of ensuring tax deduction deadlines are met.

Boxing Day, as it’s known in the United Kingdom and Canada, likely got its name through a tradition of giving money and gifts to those in need or in service positions the day after Christmas. It may have originally referred to filling the alms box in the narthex of most Christian churches.

As the song tells us, “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen” when he was out looking at the snow that night, which was “deep and crisp and even,” he was on his way to offer alms to a poor family.

Another tradition of St. Stephen’s Day is to use up holiday leftovers today.

No matter what we call it, spend this next week recognizing the feeling that Dec. 26 is intended to bring. Enjoy the blessings this holiday season has brought to us while thinking about the blessings we can bring to others.

— KL