Boxing Day, which falls on the second day of the Christmas season, is a holiday observed after Christmas (26 December). [1] Although Boxing Day was first observed as a day to offer gifts to the poor, it is now a component of Christmas celebrations, with many people opting to shop during Boxing Day deals. It was invented in Britain, and it is now observed in many nations that were formerly a part of the British Empire. If it is important to ensure that the associated public holiday or bank holiday falls on a weekday, it may be held on December 28. Additionally, Saint Stephen’s Day, a Christian holiday, falls on the same day as Boxing Day.
In some parts of Europe, like several regions of Spain,Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic.
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas that occurs on the second day of the holiday season (26 December). [1] Boxing Day was originally celebrated as a day to give gifts to the less fortunate, but it is now a part of Christmas celebrations, with many people choosing to purchase during Boxing Day sales. It was created in Britain, and many countries that once belonged to the British Empire now practise it. It may be held on December 28 if it is crucial to make sure the corresponding public holiday or bank holiday falls on a weekday. Additionally, Boxing Day and Saint Stephen’s Day are celebrated on the same day.
Several regions of Europe, including some, Several regions of Spain, as well as Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, are among the European countries that have been mentioned. The custom of offering presents and money to people in need or who are serving others in Europe dates to the Middle Ages, but its exact origin is uncertain; it may have been inspired by the alms boxes that Christians erected in their churches’ narthexes to collect money for the needy. The ritual may have originated from an early Christian/late Roman practise when special donations for the Feast of Saint Stephen were collected in alms boxes placed in churches,[7] which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide. In some communities, it is traditional on this day for locations where the charity boxes are opened and given to the needy.
The term’s origins are the subject of conflicting theories, none of which is conclusive. The custom of offering presents and money to people in need or who are serving others in Europe dates to the Middle Ages, but its exact origin is uncertain; it may have been inspired by the alms boxes that Christians erected in their churches’ narthexes to collect money for the needy. The ritual may have originated from an early Christian/late Roman practise when special donations for the Feast of Saint Stephen were collected in alms boxes placed in churches,which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide. In some communities, it is traditional on this day for.
There are various places where the alms boxes are opened and given to the needy. [1] [8]
The oldest reference comes from Britain in 1743 when the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the day following Christmas day” and notes that “traditionally on this day tradespeople, employees, etc. would receive gifts or gratuities (see “Christmas box”) from their clients or employers.”
In Britain, it was customary for tradespeople to receive “Christmas boxes” of cash or gifts on the first working day following Christmas as a token of appreciation for their outstanding work over the year. [11] The entry dated December 19, 1663, in Samuel Pepys’ journal makes reference to this. [12] This practise has roots in an earlier British tradition where the wealthy’s employees were given the day off to see their families rather than serve their employers on Christmas Day. Each employee would receive a box from the bosses that contained gifts, bonuses, and occasionally extra food to take home. Many people in the UK kept the habit of giving a Christmas gift—typically cash—to vendors up until the late 20th century, but not on Boxing Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories with the exception of South Australia, where Proclamation Day is observed as a public holiday on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day vacation. [18] On Boxing Day, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Boxing Day Test cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground both get underway.
Le Lendemain de Nol, often known as Boxing Day, is a federally recognised holiday in Canada. Banks, post offices, and government agencies are all closed. It is a statutory holiday for the province of Ontario and other Canadian provinces. Despite the UK handing over sovereignty to China in 1997, Boxing Day is still a public holiday in Hong Kong because it falls on the first weekday after Christmas.