boxing day history
Although relatively unknown in the United States, Boxing Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom and countries across the Commonwealth of Nations, including Canada and Australia.
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Boxing Day is celebrated in countries such as England and Canada, and is thought to have originated in the Victorian era. Although the holiday didn’t make its way to the United States with early settlers, it remains popular in other parts of the world, giving revelers another day off from work and another opportunity to give gifts, shop, eat, and watch sports.
Here’s everything you need to know about Boxing Day, its origins, and how it became the celebration it is today.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated after Christmas on December 26th. It is usually marked by gift-giving, celebrations, and sporting events.
If December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the official holiday falls on the following Monday.
Where is Boxing Day celebrated?
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Boxing Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Origin of Boxing Day
The origins of this holiday are a bit complicated, but the generally accepted theory is that it has its roots in Victorian England.
During Queen Victoria’s reign, it was common for gifts to be given to servants, merchants, and the poor. The servants worked Christmas Day and took the next day off to visit their families. So, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the upper class packed leftover food, goods, and money into boxes and distributed them to the poor.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, another theory is that it comes from opening an alms box provided by the church rather than a gift from an employer.
The 26th also coincides with St. Stephen’s Day, which is celebrated in parts of Europe and named after the first Christian martyr known for helping the poor, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
The evolution of boxing day
The holiday, like many modern celebrations, had its roots in giving back to the poor, but it has changed and become more associated with shopping and sports.
Boxing Day is an official public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and most parts of Australia. Britannica says it’s no longer common for the poor to be given boxes, but it’s not unusual for service workers to receive bonuses during this time.
It is common for families to invite others to enjoy a casual lunch made from Christmas leftovers. Many people also head to stores to shop for post-Christmas sales and to make exchanges and returns.
Traditional sporting events include horse races, fox hunting and rugby, according to Britannica. Fox hunting was later modified or banned entirely, and football matches were held in its place. Other popular sporting events include ice hockey, cricket, and boxing.
Contributors: Sara Al-Arshani, Jay Cannon, USA TODAY
