A secular holiday, Handsel Monday was important among the rural people of Scotland. “Handsel” was something given as a token of good luck, particularly at the beginning of something; the modern house-warming gift would be a good example. Thus Handsel Monday was an occasion for gift giving at the start of the new year, and it remained a Scottish tradition from the 14th until the 19th century. Eventually it was replaced by Boxing Day, and the custom of giving farm laborers and public servants some extra money or a small gift on this day continues. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary