Did you know about Boxing Day? Well, keep on reading... Spoiler: It is the day for lovers of Christmas and great deals!
Boxing Day is that holiday that always shows up on the calendar between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Let’s start with the basics: Every year, the holiday falls on December 26. (Yes, that’s the day after Christmas, so it’s a date that’s easy to remember and hard to miss on the calendar during a crowded week of festivities.) However, when that date falls on a weekend day, the holiday is observed on the following Monday.
How did Boxing Day start?The specific origins of Boxing Day are not universally agreed upon, but various origin stories help us unpack its history and original meaning.
One of the theories explains that Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria held the throne in the 1800s, and is borne out of the tradition of wealthy families boxing up gifts to give to the poor. Since servants of aristocrats were required to work on Christmas, the following day became the time when their employers filled up boxes with gifts, money, and Christmas leftovers for them, much like a holiday bonus. Servants could then go home to share the gift boxes with their families.
Another theory, is that the name of Boxing Day arose from alms boxes placed in churches for the collection of donations for those in need. On December 26, clergy members would give these funds to the poor in honor of the feast of St. Stephen, a Christian martyr known for charitable acts. St. Stephen holds so much significance that in Ireland, Boxing Day is referred to as St. Stephen’s Day.
With so many competing narratives, it’s difficult to know exactly how Boxing Day began. It’s clear, however, that what they all have in common are themes of charity, gift-giving, and celebrations, which have lived on and is present in how this holiday is observed today.
How is Boxing Day celebrated today?
These days, Boxing Day is regarded as a time to spend with family and friends, particularly those who you weren’t able to see on Christmas. This can include gathering for meals, drinking at pubs, or simply relaxing at home and enjoying the day off. In addition to the holiday’s emphasis on social connection, there are several other Boxing Day traditions that have evolved over the years.
Another facet of modern Boxing Day is shopping, since it’s now widely known as a day for massive offers (like ours!). Similar to Black Friday in the US, plenty of shoppers will spend hours in line to snag some of the best discounts of the season.
Finally, Boxing Day is also recognized as a day to overindulge on Christmas leftovers. Families might invite guests over for a casual lunch featuring baked ham, Christmas cake, turkey sandwiches, roasted vegetables and other festive foods enjoyed the day before. In that sense, you might have already been celebrating the spirit of Boxing Day for years, without even knowing it!
We personally love this holiday, so we got good news, we have launched the Early Boxing Day offers, so you can be the first to catch it!
