While Christmas celebrations wind down for many, the festive spirit continues for the United Kingdom and nations of the British Commonwealth with Boxing Day. This year, the annual holiday falls on Friday, December 26, offering an extended break. Contrary to what its name might imply, Boxing Day has no connection to the sport of boxing or to returning gift boxes.
What Is Boxing Day And How Is It Celebrated?
Observed the day after Christmas, Boxing Day is a public bank holiday in Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and most of Australia. It serves as a joyful extension of the Christmas season, centered on family, feasts, and sports. The day is traditionally marked by gathering with loved ones, often over a casual lunch made from Christmas Day leftovers, as reported by USA Today.
In modern times, it has also exploded into one of the year's biggest shopping events. According to local news outlet Kare 11, Boxing Day sales provide direct competition to America's Black Friday, with crowds flocking to stores for post-Christmas discounts, exchanges, and returns.
The Victorian Origins Of A Generous Tradition
The roots of Boxing Day are traced back to the Victorian era in Britain. Historically, it was a day for giving back to the less fortunate. During Queen Victoria's reign, servants, tradespeople, and the poor would receive gifts from their employers or the upper class.
Since servants were required to work on Christmas Day, they would visit their own families the following day. As they left, they were often given boxes containing leftover food, goods, or money. An alternate theory cited by Encyclopedia Britannica suggests the name comes from the opening of church alms boxes the day after Christmas, with the contents distributed to the needy.
From Alms Boxes To Sports And Sales
While its origins are charitable, the holiday's focus has broadened significantly. Today, sporting events are a major hallmark of Boxing Day. Traditionally, the day featured horse racing, foxhunting, and rugby. While foxhunting has been modified or banned, its place has been taken by popular football matches.
Other sports now strongly associated with the day include cricket and ice hockey. Although the practice of giving boxes to the poor has faded, it remains common for service employees to receive year-end bonuses from employers around this time, preserving a thread of the old tradition. Thus, Boxing Day has evolved from a day of charity into a global celebration of relaxation, sport, and shopping, offering one more day of festive joy.
