christmas-box n OED ~ 1 obs (1611-1802) for sense 1; DAE (1810, 1823) for sense 2; JOYCE 298 for sense 3.
   1 A box in which money is collected by soliciting at Christmas.
   1937 DEVINE 13 Christmas boxes. Carried around by poor people at Christmas soliciting money.
   2 A gift of food, money, etc, given at Christmas.
   1819 ANSPACH 476-7 Men and women exchange clothes with each other, and go from house to house singing and dancing, on which occasion Christmas-boxes are expected, and generally granted previous to the performance. [The Christmas boxes are] presents, not in coin. . . but in eatables, from a turkey or a quarter of veal or mutton, or a piece of beef just killed for the occasion, down to a nicely smoked salmon. 1887 Telegram Christmas No 9 'I've brought a Christmas Box for 'ee, my maid,' said her husband, with a strange quiver in his voice, placing the [baby] in her motherly arms. 1893 J A Folklore vi, 63 Christmas presents or boxes. P 148-62 ~ a gift of money. C 71-86 He would never say to us 'I have to get a Christmas present for your mother'; he would say, 'I'll soon have to get your mother's Christmas box.' 1976 Guy 66 'Was that a Christmas box, I dare say?' It was a gilt frame under a glass and nicely done out with dicky birds and old fashioned roses.
   3 Phr christmas box on you: Christmas greeting.
   1931 BYRNES 100-1 Your heart is singing in blissful anticipation, as you plow through the snow drifted streets, and everyone you meet, even the most casual acquaintance ... you greet with 'Christmas Box on you,' and indeed you receive a goodly response to your obviously implied request. C 71-107 ~ This is a Christmas greeting meaning Merry Christmas and I hope you get lots of good things.

Go Back