Princess Mary Christmas gift box facts for kids
The Princess Mary Christmas gift box was a special container given to soldiers and sailors during World War I. It was a gift from Princess Mary of the British Empire. These boxes were meant to bring some cheer on Christmas Day 1914.
Contents
A Special Christmas Gift Idea
Why the Gift Box Was Created
When World War I started in August 1914, many soldiers from the British Empire went to fight. They were far from home, especially during the Christmas season. King George V's daughter, 17-year-old Princess Mary, had a wonderful idea. She wanted every soldier and sailor to receive a Christmas gift.
How the Fund Was Raised
To make her idea happen, Princess Mary started an appeal. This meant she asked people to donate money. It was called the "Soldiers and Sailors Christmas fund." People were very generous! Soon, a lot of money was raised to pay for these special gifts.
What Was Inside the Box?
The Box Itself
The gift boxes were made from metal. Officers received boxes made of silver, while other soldiers and sailors received brass ones. Later in the war, some boxes were made from other metals because materials became scarce. Each box had a picture of Princess Mary on it. It also had symbols representing the military and the British Empire.
The Gifts Inside
Inside each box, there were several small gifts. Typically, soldiers and sailors found tobacco and a packet of cigarettes. There was also a cigarette lighter. To make it even more personal, each box included a Christmas card and a photograph from Princess Mary herself. Some boxes also had sweets, chocolates, or lemon drops.
Who Received a Box?
Getting the Gifts to Everyone
The original plan was for every sailor at sea and every soldier fighting on the front lines to get a box by Christmas Day 1914. However, the idea quickly grew! Soon, anyone "wearing the King's uniform" on Christmas Day was eligible.
When All Boxes Were Delivered
It was a huge task to deliver so many boxes during wartime. About 400,000 boxes were delivered by Christmas 1914. But it took much longer to reach everyone. The distribution continued until 1920. By then, about 2.5 million gift boxes had been given out!
