What is Boxing Day? Date, traditions, origins and what you should know

Christmas Eve is just around the corner and then Christmas Day. In the US, the day after Christmas is usually reserved for saying goodbye to the hectic holiday stress – that is, if you’re lucky enough not to have to return to the office straight away.

However, across the pond and in other Commonwealth countries, December 26th is still a continuation of the Christmas holiday called Boxing Day. Celebrated in Britain, Canada and beyond, the festival is believed to have its origins in the Victorian era.

While the traditional didn’t travel to the U.S. with the early colonists, it’s still popular elsewhere, giving revelers not only another day off work, but also a second hustle of gift-giving, shopping, dining and sports watching.

Here’s what you should know about Boxing Day, its origins and how it became the celebration it is today.

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What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, December 26th. It is usually marked by gifts, celebrations and sporting events.

If December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is officially celebrated on the following Monday.

Where is Boxing Day celebrated?

Boxing Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada and New Zealand, according to Encylopedia Britannica.

Origins of Boxing Day

The origins of the holiday are somewhat unclear, although the generally accepted theory has its roots in Victorian England.

During Queen Victoria’s reign, servants, artisans, and the poor typically received gifts. The servants worked on Christmas Day and had the next day off to visit their own families. So, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the upper class took leftover food, goods, or money and packed it into boxes to distribute to the poor.

Another theory is that this is due to the opening of alms boxes provided by the church, rather than gifts from employers, according to the Encylopedia Britannica.

The 26th also coincides with St. Stephen’s Day, a holiday celebrated in parts of Europe and named after the first Christian martyr who was known for helping the poor, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

Evolution of Boxing Day

While the holiday originated as a way to give back to the poor, like many modern celebrations, it has shifted to become increasingly associated with shopping and exercise.

Boxing Day is an official holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and most of Australia. Although the packages are typically no longer distributed to the poor, it is not uncommon for service workers to receive bonuses this time of year, Britannica says.

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