The holiday season is filled with activities and steeped in tradition. The magic does not end when Thanksgiving, Christmas or Chanukah have come and gone. While people mark off the days until they can count down the hours on New Year’s Eve, another event between Christmas Day and December 31 merits attention as well.
Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain, Canada and British Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand. The holiday originated in the United Kingdom but other European nations have since embraced it. Boxing Day coincides with the Christian holiday Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered the second day of Christmas. St. Stephen was a deacon the Apostles ordained to take care of widows and the indigent.
Boxing Day dates back to 1871, according to "Love to Know," and came about as a custom for tradesmen and women to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas in exchange for good service throughout the year. Many workers, particularly household servants, had to work on Christmas Day, so Boxing Day provided an opportunity for them to visit with their own families. The workers took home boxes filled with foods and other gifts. In the U.K., Boxing Day is a government-mandated holiday. If it falls on a weekend, then the holiday will be observed on the following Monday. Schools and many organizations are closed on this day. Stores tend to be open, as Boxing Day sales are very popular.
As with most events, Boxing Day features some notable customs.
• Workers, especially those in service positions, are honoured. It’s customary to give a financial gift to people who provide services throughout the year. This includes mail carriers, sanitation workers, hair stylists, and others.
• Contribute to the less fortunate. People often donate food to local food banks and support charities.
• Watch or attend sporting events. Boxing Day also is marked by sporting events like horse racing and football, with the U.K. often hosting a full day of Premier League games.
• Take a chilly swim. Some individuals enjoy participating in Polar Plunges to raise money for charities. One annual event features people jumping into the English Channel, and similar plunges are held elsewhere.
• Head to the stores. Boxing Day is similar to Black Friday in the United States. Boxing Day is filled with slashed prices and bargains for shoppers who are eager to spend holiday gift cards.
• Meet up with friends and families. On Boxing Day, friends frequently get together to socialize and go out for dinner or drinks.
Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas and provides a chance to continue the merriment of the holiday season.
