You ask the average person in London what Boxing Day is and you get a variety of answers.  It is the day you get drunk with the people you like, or it is the day you recover from family.  Or is it a holiday where you can rest after Christmas?  What is Boxing Day and how did it start? It is definitely more than another holiday shopping day.  But why did come about and do only the Brits get to enjoy it?

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For Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries it is public holiday. Most offices are closed on this day if it is a weekday and adds to the nice long Christmas break.

In parts of Europe, such as several regions of Spain, ^{the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia,[4] Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and in the Republic of Ireland, 26 December is Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered the second day of Christmas.  But is is a different holiday and background than Boxing Day.}

During the Victorian era, the upper class and aristocracy would box up leftover food, money, gifts and goods and give them to their tradesmen, servants and others who provided reliable service all year.

It is a wonderful sentiment which has been a bit forgotten. Today, Boxing Day in the UK and Commonwealth is more known for leftovers, relaxing and the Boxing Day Sales.

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It was more philanthropic and family oriented up until WWII. A gradual shift occurred during the economic boom after the second world war as the British slowly got back on their feet.  Retailers realized it was a chance to drive traffic and sales.  By the mid-1950, consumer expenditure increased and the competition between retailers intensified. Now it is similar to Black Friday in the US with stores opening early, big markdowns on a few products and big crowds.

So today is a day to either kick back and join the throngs of shoppers. Either way – have fun!

It is the time to play Santa to friends and family – but before you put a little special extra special under tree – you might want to consider these things

It is the most wonderful time of the year, unless you are stuck for what to give as a gift.  As marijuana legalization has spread with over 50% of the population having access to legal products, some are considering cannabis treats. It is natural as people can purchase and give weed, it would appear on the gift giving circuit. During the holidays 60.6% of people who purchased alcohol gave as a gift.

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The mainstreaming of marijuana means it is joining in festival occasions. But what to consider before giving marijuana as a gift. You need to know the recipient and make sure they are going to enjoy the present or will it go the land of regifting or, worse, into the trash can.

Know if they indulge in anything. Do they drink, have the indicated they are open or are they already consumers? These are critical as you plan on a purchase.  If they drink and have shared they are open, maybe a couple of one time vapes or an edible would be perfect. Just like you wouldn’t give a casual friend Everclear, you wouldn’t want to give a strong joint or flower.

Read the room, especially if there are kids around.  If it is an intimate group, it might be better since you can explain and evaluate how the gift goes down.  Also, think about how you package it so it doesn’t have any sign or smell of what is in the box/bag/stocking.

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Consider if they have any health issues medical marijuana can help.  Inflammation, back pain, trouble sleeping or light anxiety can all be helped the perfect present of an edible, oil, or ointment.

If they are not already consumers or very light consumers, consider gummies.  According to BDSA, gummies are the most popular product with almost 50% of people preferring this on-the-go treat.  Easy, flavorful and a great entry point, this could be a winner.

At most, make sure you give it in the right spirit to make it a merry season.

With Father’s Day approaching we thought we’d take things back to the days of shopping for that high-tech, convenient gadgetry to make the perfect gift. Something you might not need, but that makes for a great tool and a fun toy. Like Brookstone back in its heyday. Break out that debit card for that pot daddy in your life.

Affordable ganga gifts

The coffee table book has always been the mark of an upscale, thoughtful gift. If you’re looking for something a little lighter on the wallet but still with hours of quality entertainment, you can’t go wrong with a good book and these options are sure to provide hours of entertainment, and help enrich their cannabis knowledge.

Higher by Erik Nugshots & Dan Michaels

This well-known photographer and visual maverick has collaborated with author Dan Michaels to detail 100 of the most popular strains of cannabis. This thick tome provides additional details like lineage, history, and humorous stories about its past, you’ll be stuck on every page by Erik’s stunning visual imagery. This is a perfect book for flipping through and discovering the next fun strain you’ll want to hunt down. Released through Penguin Random House books.

www.penguinrandomhouse.com ($40.00)

Wise words from one of the most respected writers in weed today. Created as a “connoisseur’s guide” to help you delve behind the high, this book lets you hear from trusted industry professionals about subjects like cultivation, THC drinks, terroir, and how to pick up on different cannabis flavors, all with tons of engaging photos to keep your eyes busy. More than just a visual compendium or a textbook, this offers something interesting and different for the canna-curious. shop on Amazon ($28.00)

Cannabonsai Starter Kit

What’s cooler than learning to grow pot? Well, what about learning to grow a miniature plant? 

Traditionally, bonsai involves the art of pruning tiny, perennial trees or shrubs, keeping them alive for decades. While cannabis isn’t perennial, a newer branch of bonsai cultivates tiny weed plants in the same dramatic visual style. Pioneered by Manuel Oyarce, the guide gives tons of information and the website has plenty of instructional videos. Additionally, there are links on the website to buy some of the auto-flowering seeds he recommends for the project. www.cannabonsai.org ($42.99 kit / $19.99 book)

Gifts over $150

Høj Klip grinder

Danish design doesn’t just have to be for your IKEA bookshelves. The Klip herb slicer from Høj (pronounced like ahoy without the A) is an example of futuristic, thoughtful design. It’s got magnetic parts so there isn’t any gunked-up threading and is made from anodized aluminum. Inside, a spinning fan blade slices your flower instead of thrashing it between a series of teeth. A keef chamber comes customizable with two different screen sizes. Høj also includes two optional grates that change the consistency to fine or coarse but it’s also the smooth action that makes this feel like a top-shelf way to break down your flower. www.hoj.life ($179.00)

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BEED joint appliance

Created by a couple who wanted more consistency in the pre-roll market, the BEED is the first fully automated rolled joint appliance. Drop in an empty cone and a specially designed pod, then watch as BEED takes the sealed unit of cannabis and releases a joint in 17-20 seconds. While there are many devices on the market to “make a joint,” this uses specific brand partnerships for flower, as well as Nespresso recyclable technology. Even though rolling a joint is sacred for some smokers, we have appliances to help us with all sorts of other things, why not one for joints? www.beed.co ($299)

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Tank Glass unbreakable bong

What dad wouldn’t want a bong you can use to hammer nails? This 12” beaker conveniently doubles as a tool in all their promotional videos and while they admit that even Achille’s had a bum heel, their 9mm glass construction was designed specifically to avoid those sad days spent cleaning up broken glass. The company even offers a lifetime guarantee to replace your broken bong for 50% off, should an accident occur. Designed by a five-person team of California-based computer engineers and materials scientists using American-blown glass and a reinforced base, this is as useful in a toolbox as it is on a coffee table. www.tankglass.com ($259.00)

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Cannador weed humidor

Keeping your stash fresh takes dedication. What with cannabis being a plant, there’s only so much we can do to keep it around long-term. Still, you can make sure Dad’s stash stays in peak condition by getting them a humidor designed for weed. This nine-jar wooden humidor holds over two ounces of flower safely behind a mahogany interior and walnut exterior. Each jar has an adjustable vent in the lid to allow moist air to travel from the box to the flower. The Cannador has been around for a few years now and still proves how effective it is when you have a lot of strains on deck. www.cannador.com ($259)

dabX go e-rig

One of the coolest additions to the e-rig market last year, was this complete upgrade from the well-known dabX mkultra. This unit is machined from aerospace-grade titanium and comes in a rugged black soft case. Some of its coolest features include a magnetic atomizer top, carb button, and a built-in silicon tray in the base that collects resin so you can pop it into the freezer and use the reclaim pucks in edibles, tinctures, or even smoke some. It has four settings that ramp the temperature up and down in specific waves and most interestingly, you don’t have to clean the atomizer off between hits. See also: the dabX rocket mk. 1 turns any bong into a dab rig. www.dabX.com ($299)

Houseplant standing ashtray

Seth Rogan’s cannabis brand Houseplant has a rep for its classy ashtrays and lighters as much as its actual flower. Part futuristic statue, part classy vintage smoke accessory, this ashtray fits in at a Danish mid-century modern furniture store. Made of walnut, solid brushed brass, and borosilicate glass, this man cave statement piece says, ‘Go ahead and light up.’ You can remove the inner glass cone to easily empty roaches, and the whole thing stands just over two feet tall. Looks perfect next to a massaging chair. www.houseplant.com ($295)

$500 and up dab dad gear

Terp Sous-Vide dab heater

Just like a hot sous-vide bath brings meat up to temperature, this heats up your dab rig’s hot end—the banger—without the need for a torch or e-nail attachment. Lower your glass into the heat guard using the supplied platform and the Terp Sous-Vide bathes your banger or slurper in a tunnel of warm air, bringing the glass to temperature in three minutes. TSV cuts down on scorched terps, butane cans, burnt residue, and wait times (since you can have one warming while you’re still cleaning). This makes taking back-to-back dabs a snap. www.terpsousvide.com ($600)

HIKMICRO thermal imaging camera

Sure—you could dab using a digital timer or thermometer to check your temp when dabbing, but what about doing it using Predator-vision instead? HIKMICRO’s B20 model is a compact, handheld, thermal imaging camera that can register temperatures from -4 °F to 1022 °F. Point it at your glass, get a perfect reading, and go in for a hit. It’s a gadget that any dad will love using since after they’ve finished a session, they can wander around the house looking for air leaks, water spots, or cold spots from ghosts. Amazon ($549.00)

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And that’s your Brookstoned guide for 2023. Now, get out there and give Dad his flowers.