In Britain, December 26 is a public holiday called Boxing Day. Established in the nineteenth century, servants were given the day off and the wealthy provided boxes of food for poor people.

Traditionally in England we go for a long walk, graze off the cold cuts from Christmas leftovers, and generally wind down. It’s a day of reflection after the energetic fun and frivolity of the previous day. It always feels as if there is space, and it is wonderful to wake up knowing there is nothing that must be done today.