Boxing Day

Boxing Day - Is This a National Holiday?

Boxing Day has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. Today most Commonwealth Countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Australia celebrate Boxing Day on December 26, the day after Christmas each year.

Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s. The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor.

The lords of the manor would distribute ‘Christmas boxes’ often filled with small gifts, money and leftovers from Christmas dinner to their household servants and employees who had to work on Christmas day. These boxes were similar to holiday bonuses. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.

Another popular theory for the name Boxing Day is that it came from the alms boxes that were placed in churches during the Advent season. Clergy members would distribute the contents of the boxes to the poor on December 26.

December 26 is also the feast of St. Stephen who was the first Christian martyr. St. Stephen is known for his acts of charity. Ireland celebrates December 26 as St. Stephen’s Day.

In South Africa, December 26 is called the Day of Goodwill. This holiday allows many people to give back to society after the Christmas holiday. Prior to 1994, this holiday was known as Boxing Day as well.

In the US Boxing Day is not a national holiday rather it is primarily known as a shopping day.

What do Brits do on Boxing Day? Members of the British Royal family traditionally celebrate Boxing Day together. For them this typically includes a number of outdoor activities like horseback riding and a pheasant shoot.

What do you do on December 26?

Merry Christmas Everyone!