Whilst the Turkey has barely had chance to settle, the festive calendar has already moved on to its next important event… Boxing Day, but just how is it celebrated?
The concept for December 26 began in Great Britain and has been carried over into Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
It initially began as a public holiday in which servants, tradespeople and those considered poor were given a chance to be presented with gifts.
Of course, as the world entered the 21st century it has become a commercial phenomenon in which shops offered discount sales.
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day takes place on December 26 immediately after Christmas Day itself. In 2022 it falls on a Monday, and some businesses will re-open after their brief holiday closure.
Boxing Day also has traditional ties to sporting events, especially in the United Kingdom. Football matches traditionally were played on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with teams facing each other twice.
For example, if Manchester United were to face Everton on Christmas Day in Manchester, they would play again on Boxing Day on Merseyside.
Christmas Day football is now very much a thing of the past in the United Kingdom, which has placed a greater emphasis on the Boxing Day matches.
What are the Boxing Day traditions?
The name derives from the opening of boxes of gifts by the aforementioned poor and lower classes.
With servants required to work through Christmas Day, the Boxing Day concept was meant as a way of rewarding them.
It was seen as their version of Christmas, offering them the chance to celebrate their own holiday.
What is the difference between Boxing Day and St. Stephen’s Day?
In addition to this, Boxing Day is also the feast day of St. Stephen. In Ireland and in many European countries, December 26 is known as St. Stephen’s Day – or local-language variations of St. Stephen’s Day – as a result.
He was the patron saint of horses, which led to Boxing Day being seen as a day of traditional sport, which involved horse racing and rugby.
