Boxing Day 2024: The day after Christmas is celebrated as Boxing Day in various countries with British colonial roots. The day is steeped in both historical practices and modern festivities that mix charity, games, and shopping. December 26 is celebrated as a public holiday in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, where families continue to enjoy post-Christmas festivities.
Why Boxing Day?
Despite the name, Boxing Day has no connection with the sport of boxing. Although the origins of this day are not clearly known, a widely accepted theory suggests that during the Victorian era in England, affluent families would distribute boxes containing gifts, money, or food as a gesture of goodwill. The term “Boxing Day” is derived from this tradition of giving “Christmas boxes” to servants, workers, and the less fortunate.
The purpose of this act was to thank those who worked during Christmas, while ensuring that they too could enjoy the festive season. This practice also extended to churches, where alms boxes were opened and distributed to the poor.
Another theory states that it comes from Britain’s proud naval tradition and the days when a sealed box of money was kept on board a ship for long voyages. If the journey is successful, the box will be given to a priest to distribute among the poor.
evolution of boxing day
In modern times, Boxing Day has evolved while retaining its essence of giving. It has become synonymous with massive sales and shopping in countries like the UK, Canada and Australia, where retailers offer significant discounts on a wide range of products. This has made it one of the busiest shopping days of the year, similar to Black Friday in the United States.
The day also retains its charitable roots, with many people using the holiday to volunteer or donate to food drives and other charitable causes, reflecting the original spirit of giving.
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how is it celebrated?
Boxing Day is celebrated by watching various sporting events from the comfort of your home and inviting friends and family over for a turkey feast. In Britain, the Boxing Day sale is popular where discounts are offered in department stores.
This year, the India men’s cricket team will take on Australia in the fourth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where a record crowd is expected on Boxing Day. Meanwhile, England has a number of high-octane Premier League events lined up. Matches will be played on Boxing Day.
