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When is Boxing Day? -

Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas, on December 26.

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When is Boxing Day? -

Though it's traditionally celebrated on the 26, some say that it used to be on the 27, so that it would not fall on a Sunday, which was a day of worship.

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Bank holiday -

Boxing Day is a public holiday (or bank holiday) in the countries that celebrate it. When it falls on the weekend, it’s usually moved on to the following working day.

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Where is Boxing Day celebrated? -

The holiday originated in the UK, but it's also celebrated in former British colonies, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, South Africa, and Nigeria.

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Similar to Boxing Day -

Boxing Day is not celebrated everywhere. But some countries, including Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, celebrate the 26 as a second Christmas day.

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Similar to Boxing Day -

Other countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Ireland, and Italy, celebrate the Christian holiday Saint Stephen's Day, which also falls on the same date.

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The origins of Boxing Day -

The origins of Boxing Day are not quite certain. There are mainly two stories about it, but the real roots of the holiday are yet to be proven.

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First theory -

One of the stories dates back to the 19th century. Boxing Day was a day that servants to wealthy people got time off.

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First theory -

Wealthy English people would give their servants boxes with food and presents to take home to their families.

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First theory -

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Boxing Day was "the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect[ed] to receive a Christmas box."

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Second theory -

Another theory can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed that the original boxes were the alms boxes placed in churches to collect money for the poor.

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Second theory -

The 26 would be the day the boxes were opened and the money was distributed among the poor.

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How is Boxing Day celebrated? -

Boxing Day is essentially a commercial holiday, a time for people to go shopping and get good deals. But in some countries there are also other traditions. Let’s take a look at how Boxing Day is celebrated around the world.

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United Kingdom -

The date has been a bank holiday in the UK since 1871. And it is one, if not the, most important shopping days of the year. Retailers usually offer exclusive deals and are open until late.

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United Kingdom -

But Boxing Day is not just about shopping—there is also sports! And, of course, soccer matches are the highlight.

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United Kingdom -

But so are rugby matches, which is another sport loved in the country.

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United Kingdom -

Boxing Day is also a horse race day. The King George VI Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase that takes place on December 26.

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Australia -

The Aussies are also huge sports fans, and the day is celebrated with the Boxing Day Test, which is held in Melbourne.

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Australia -

Boxing Day also marks the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

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Canada -

As one can imagine, besides the commercial aspect, Boxing Day for Canadians is also about ice hockey.

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African Commonwealth nations -

Pro boxing fights are particularly popular on this day in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania.

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Bahamas -

In the Bahamas, Boxing Day marks the start of a festival called Junkanoo. The celebration can be traced back to the 18th century.

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Bahamas -

Slaves would be given a day of rest and they used the time off to celebrate African traditions. Today it’s a huge street parade that has spread to other Caribbean islands and even some parts of the US.

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Saint Stephen's Day -

For many countries the date is not called Boxing Day. Instead they celebrate Saint Stephen's Day, which is a Christian saint's day.

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Ireland -

The Irish have a unique tradition of dressing up in costumes (usually made of straw) and carrying a fake bird during the celebrations.

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Ireland -

The date is also known as Wren Day, named after the bird that supposedly once betrayed Irish soldiers. People carry them to avoid bad luck.

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Parts of Spain -

Some regions (Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencian Country) celebrate Saint Stephen's Day with a big meal, and the day is usually spent with family.

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Sweden -

In Sweden, the date is marked by the Saint Stephen's Day bandy (aka Anndandagsbandy), where a number of bandy matches are played.

Sources: (BBC) (Snopes) (Woman's Day)

See also: What Christmas was like in Victorian times

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