聖誕傳統：節禮日 Boxing Day
購物、放鬆、助人都是慶祝的好理由 你聽說過「節禮日：嗎？ A day to shop, relax and help out
這個節日通常在大不列顛或是舊時隸屬於大英帝國的國家慶祝。
節禮日是聖誕節的翌日；成為法定假日則可以追溯至1871年，不過沒有人確切知道起源。
有些人認為節禮日與聖誕禮物有關。
在英國，聖誕禮物被稱為「聖誕禮物箱」；因為在早期，雇主會在十二月二十六日這天送聖誕禮物箱或是禮物給傭人。
另一種可能說法則是，「節禮箱」這個名稱涉及捐給貧困人家的錢；傳統上，教會都會擺奉獻箱來募集捐款；然後在聖誕節翌日，便會從箱子取出款項發放給窮人。
不管節禮日的起源是什麼，至今它仍然是一個廣受慶祝的節日。
有些人會利用這個機會幫助不幸的人。
有些人認為，節禮日就是一個瘋狂購物節。
而對有些人來說．這是一個大快朵頤、觀看運動賽事，或是休息放鬆的好日子。
advent來臨
The arrival of a notable person
Epiphany runs from December 25th through January 6th
Have you ever heard of Boxing Day? The celebration typically occurs in Great Britain or countries that formerly belonged to the British Empire. Boxing Day falls on the day after Christmas. The official holiday dates back to 1871, yet no one is exactly sure how it started.
Some think it has to do with Christmas gifts. In Britain, these gifts are referred to as "Christmas boxes." In earlier times, employers would give servants Christmas boxes or gifts on December 26th.
Another possibility is that the name refers to money that's given to people in need. Traditionally a box was placed in churches to collect money. The money from the box was distributed among the poor on the day after Christmas.
No matter what Boxing Day's origins are, it's still a widely celebrated holiday. Some people take the opportunity to give to the less fortunate. For some it's a big shopping day. And for others, it's a great day to eat, watch sports or take it easy.
formerly 以前的；從前的
Now independent nation, six countries were formerly one Yugoslavia. 已經變成留個獨立的國家。
This museum was formerly a school building.
former（adj.）
Jessica’s former boss now works for her. 以前的老闆是現在的員工
employer 雇主
Our employer holds a holiday party ever year for all of us employess.
Apple is one of the biggest employers of Southeast Aisa.
employ （v.） 雇用
Vivian was employed to run the computer department at Precision Manufacturing.
help me out
lend a （helping） hand
have you ever heard of…
have you ever heard of this person?
do you know this person？
The commonwealth （of Nations）
大英國協，是一個由54個主權國家所組成的國際組織，成員大多為前英國殖民地及其屬土。 大英國協不是一個政治統一的聯邦，成員國不可以對其他成員國行使權力。
to fall on ＋（a day/date）
it’s happeing on that day
servant vs. maid vs. nanny vs. butler
maid
someone who would clean a house
nanny
someone who watches children
butler管家；僕人領班
someone who would wait on the people in that house
think outside the box
think in an original or creative way to explore ideas that are unusual and are not limited by rules or tradition. We can say to solve this riddle謎語, you need to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box has become a highly-desired skill.
distribute 分派；分配
The teacher distributed different parts of the research project to different groups.
The charity organiztionn distributed food and clothing to the newly arrived refugees.
We distributed our kds’ Christmas presents one at a time and have them take turns opening them.
fortunate （adj.）幸運的
Mason felt very fortunate that he had been able to travel to Europe during winter vacation.
Avery feels fortunate to have found a job that she loves.
the less fortunate 有貧窮、缺乏或不幸的人
our company has a collection site for money, furniture, food and clothes for the less fortunate. 幫助貧戶
in need
people in need people who need help of some kind
Salvation Army
救世軍是一個於1865年由卜維廉、卜凱瑟琳夫婦在英國倫敦成立，以軍隊形式作為其架構和行政方針，並以基督教作為信仰基本的國際性宗教及慈善公益組織，以街頭佈道和慈善活動、社會服務著稱。其當初成立時所使用的名稱是「東倫敦基督教傳道部」，自稱為「以愛心代替槍炮的軍隊」。
etymology
If you are wondering where a word came from, you’re wondering what the etymology is. For example, the etymology for the word “box” is it came from the Greek “puxos. ”and it evolved into latin “pyxis,” and then to late Latin” buxis.”
take it easy
Take it easy on ＋（person）
What a stressful day!
Listening to music is a great way to unwind.
Music helps me to forget aobut my worries. It gives me peace.
Just sit back and listen to music.
Birtish empire
May 4th – Star Wars Day
May the force be with you!
星際大戰鐵粉會把這句話運用在現實生活中，代表 「祝對方好運」 的意思，希望在面對困難時，對方能夠像絕地武士一樣有原力的指引，藉著原力的力量解決問題。就因這句經典台詞 May the fourth 的諧音，因此5月4日被粉絲們訂立為「星際大戰日」，雖然是非官方的紀念日，但在這社群媒體上一定會看見全世界共襄盛舉，慶祝偉大神作星際大戰！
A：My mom called me, saying she wants to talk when I get home today. I think she found out that I cut school yesterday. （我媽媽打給我，說我回家後要跟我談談。我想她發現我昨天翹課了。）
B：May the Force be with you, man. （祝你好運，兄弟。）
August 17 – Black Cat Appreciation Day
8月17日這天也是名為「黑貓感謝日（Black Cat Appreciation Day）」的節日。自古尤其歐美國家將黑貓視為不吉利的象徵，譬如說13號星期五看到黑貓就會不幸等等的迷信，也導致可愛的黑貓們就這樣遭到殺害。幸好這些年動物保護意識抬頭，為了讓大家不要再因為迷信而忽略了黑貓的好，於是誕生了這值得被推廣的「黑貓感謝日」。
「黑貓感謝日」是美國制定的節日。
人們因為長久以來對黑貓的迷信而讓黑貓比起其他的貓咪較難被認養，為了推廣黑貓的好讓更多人願意接受黑貓成為他們的家人，於是才誕生這樣有意義的節日。另外在英國也有「National Black Cat Day（10月27日）」、義大利則是11月17日的「黑貓日」等等，為了保護黑貓不再讓牠們因為人類的迷信而受到傷害的節日。
