Difference between revisions of "Boxing Day" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Currently working on''' —[[User:Jennifer Tanabe|Jennifer Tanabe]] ([[User talk:Jennifer Tanabe|talk]]) 17:35, 23 November 2019 (UTC)
 
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[[File:Keswick Boxing Day hunt 1962.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Boxing Day Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962]]
 
  
 
{{Infobox Holiday
 
{{Infobox Holiday
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| frequency    = Annual
 
| frequency    = Annual
 
| date        = 26 December
 
| date        = 26 December
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| relatedto    = Day of Goodwill<br />[[Twelve Days of Christmas|Second Day of Christmastide]]
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| relatedto    = Day of Goodwill<br />Second Day of Christmastide ([[Twelve Days of Christmas]])
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''Boxing Day''' is a secular holiday celebrated the day after [[Christmas Day]]. It originated in the [[United Kingdom]] and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the [[British Empire]]. Boxing Day is on December 26, although the attached [[bank holiday]] or [[public holiday]] may take place either on that day or two days later.
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[[File:Keswick Boxing Day hunt 1962.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Fox hunting was a traditional activity on Boxing Day. Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962]]
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'''Boxing Day''' is a secular holiday celebrated the day after [[Christmas Day]]. It originated in the [[United Kingdom]] and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the [[British Empire]]. Boxing Day is on December 26, although the attached [[bank holiday]] or [[public holiday]] may take place either on that day or two days later. December 26 is also [[Saint Stephen's Day]], a [[religious holiday]].
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{{toc}}
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Generally, Boxing Day is considered a day to spend with family and friends, for sports, and for eating the left over food from the Christmas Day feast. The traditional fox hunt was popular among both participants and spectators prior to the banning of this sport. The origin of the term "Boxing Day" is somewhat unclear. In Britain it is understood as referring to the custom of "Christmas Boxes," small gifts, usually cash, given to servants, employees, and working people as a token of gratitude for their hard work throughout the year.
  
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Generally, Boxing Day is considered a day to spend with family and friends, for sports, and for eating the left over food from the Christmas Day feast. The origin of the term "Boxing Day" is somewhat unclear. In Britain it is understood as referring to the custom of "Christmas Boxes," small gifts, usually cash, given to servants and working people as a token of gratitude for their hard work throughout the year.
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== Origin ==
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The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' gives the earliest attestations from Britain in the 1830s, defining Boxing Day as "the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box."<ref>"Boxing-day, ''n''.", ''OED Online'', 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1887).</ref>
  
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== Etymology ==
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The term "Christmas box" dates back to the seventeenth century, and among other things meant:
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There are competing theories for the origins of the term, none of which are definitive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/boxingday.asp|title=snopes.com: Boxing Day Origins|website=[[Snopes.com]]}}</ref> The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' gives the earliest attestations from Britain in the 1830s, defining it as "the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box".<ref>"Boxing-day, ''n''.", ''OED Online'', 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1887).</ref>
 
  
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The term "Christmas box" dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:
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<blockquote>A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.<ref>"Christmas-box, ''n''.", ''OED Online'', 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1889), sense 3.</ref></blockquote>
  
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<blockquote>A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.<ref>"Christmas-box, ''n''.", ''OED Online'', 1st edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1889), sense 3.</ref></blockquote>
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In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in [[Samuel Pepys]]' diary entry for December 19, 1663.<ref>[http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1663/12/19/ Saturday 19 December 1663] ''The Diary of Samuel Pepys''. Retrieved December 9, 2019.</ref> This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the day to visit their families since they would have to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late twentieth century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to those who delivered letters, newspapers, milk, and the like. This might not actually take place on Boxing Day, but rather during the week before or after, as many would not work on that day.
  
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In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 1953 "Boxing day"</ref> This is mentioned in [[Samuel Pepys]]' diary entry for 19 December 1663.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1663/12/19/ |title=Saturday 19&nbsp;December 1663 (Pepys' Diary) |publisher=Pepysdiary.com |accessdate=26 December 2010}}</ref> This custom is linked to an older British tradition where  the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors although not on Boxing Day as many would not work on that day.
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The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need and in service positions has been dated to the [[Middle Ages]], but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the [[Saint Stephen's Day|Feast of Saint Stephen]],<ref>Ace Collins, ''Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas'' (Zondervan, 2018, ISBN 978-0310631606).</ref> which in the [[Latin Church|Western church]] falls on the same day as Boxing Day.
  
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In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, vendors who normally had little interaction with those they served were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a "Christmas box", being a small cash donation, in the weeks before or after Christmas.
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== Activities ==
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Boxing Day is a public holiday, a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. It is a day to relax with family and friends without the pressures of the Christmas Day festivities or the need to go to work. Leftover food from the Christmas feast is enjoyed and a variety of entertainment and activities are available.  
  
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The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need and in service positions has been dated to the [[Middle Ages]], but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the [[Saint Stephen's Day|Feast of Saint Stephen]],<ref>Collins, 2003, p. 38.</ref> which in the [[Latin Church|Western church]] falls on the same day as Boxing Day.
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=== Sport ===
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[[File:Tiverton , Boxing Day 2005 - geograph.org.uk - 1128189.jpg|thumb|250px|Boxing Day in Tiverton. People lined the street to watch as the hounds and horses passed through]]
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[[File:MCG stands.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Boxing Day Test]] at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], 2006]]
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[[File:Boxing Day Dip in the Sea - geograph.org.uk - 1091891.jpg|thumb|250px|Boxing Day Dip]]
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Many sporting activities are commonly associated with Boxing Day, from fox hunting to [[Football (world)|football]] (soccer), [[horse racing]], and [[cricket]], and even swimming in the ocean.
  
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== Date ==
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Boxing Day traditionally was one of the main days in the fox hunting calendar, with most hunts (both mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets) holding meets, often in town or village centers.<ref>Miranda Prynne, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/countryside/10538429/Hundreds-of-thousands-turn-out-for-Boxing-Day-hunts.html Hundreds of thousands turn out for Boxing Day hunts] ''The Daily Telegraph'', December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref> The sport was banned in 2002 in Scotland and 2004 in England and Wales. After the ban on fox hunting, hunts follow artificially laid trails. There are exemptions laid out in the Act, such as dogs are allowed to follow a scent but not to be used to kill the fox. Traditional fox hunting remains lawful in Northern Ireland. Despite the restrictions, it was reported that around 320,000 people (their highest recorded number) turned up to meets on Boxing Day in 2006.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6209365.stm Hunts hail Boxing Day turn-out] ''BBC'', December 26, 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref>
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Boxing Day is a [[secular holiday]] traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. December 26 is also [[Saint Stephen's Day]], a [[religious holiday]].<ref>''American Heritage Dictionary'', Fourth Edition – 'Boxing Day'</ref><ref>''Oxford English''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/11_november/17/radio4_sun26.shtml |title=BBC Radio 4 schedule, 3&nbsp;December 2004 |date = 17 November 2004 |accessdate =17 December 2009}}</ref>
 
  
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==Status by country==
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In [[horse racing]], there is the [[King George VI Chase]] at [[Kempton Park Racecourse]] in Surrey, England. It is the second most prestigious [[National Hunt racing|chase]] in Britain, after the [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]]. In addition to the prestigious race at Kempton, in Britain, it is usually the day with the highest number of racing meetings of the year, with eight in 2016, in addition to three more in Ireland. In Barbados, the final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO world heritage site. This tradition has been going on for decades in this former British colony.
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In the UK, Boxing Day has been a [[bank holiday]] since 1871. When 26 December falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day is moved to the following Monday. If 26 December falls on a Sunday, the substitute [[public holiday]] is the following Tuesday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.year-planner-calendar.co.uk/2010-public-holidays.htm|title=Year Planner Calendar; 2010 |publisher=hraconsulting-ltd.co.uk |date=2010 |accessdate=22 April 2017}}</ref> However, 26 December is referred to as Boxing Day even when it falls on a Sunday.
 
  
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In [[Scotland]], Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/46377/pages/9343 |title=London Gazette, 18&nbsp;October 1974 |publisher=London-gazette.co.uk |date=18 October 1974 |accessdate=26 December 2010}}</ref> by [[Royal Proclamation]] under the [[Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/bank-holidays/FAQs|title=Bank Holidays in Scotland – Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=|accessdate=21 December 2014}}</ref>
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In the [[United Kingdom]], it is traditional for all top-tier [[Association football|football]] (soccer) leagues in [[England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Northern Ireland]] – the [[Premier League]], the [[Scottish Premiership]], and the [[NIFL Premiership]] – and the lower ones, as well as the [[Rugby union|rugby]] leagues, to hold a full program of matches on Boxing Day. Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against [[local derby|local rivals]] to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.<ref>Fred Nathan, [https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2459498/boxing-day-football-2016-history-fixtures-distance-tradition/ What is the history of Boxing Day football, how are fixtures determined and which fans must travel the furthest in 2016?] ''The Sun'', December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref> Prior to the formation of leagues, a number of traditional [[rugby union]] fixtures took place on Boxing Day each year, notably [[Llanelli RFC|Llanelli]] v [[London Welsh RFC|London Welsh]] and [[Leicester Tigers|Leicester]] v [[Barbarian F.C.|The Barbarians]].
  
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In [[Ireland]], when the entire island [[History of Ireland (1801–1922)|was part of]] the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]], the [[Bank Holidays Act 1871]] established the feast day of [[Saint Stephen]] as a non-moveable public holiday on 26 December.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform | title=History of Bank & Public Holidays | url=http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/bank-public-holidays/bank-public-holidays/page18882.html | accessdate=14 December 2008 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207051825/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/bank-public-holidays/bank-public-holidays/page18882.html | archivedate=7 December 2008 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Following [[Partition of Ireland|partition in 1920]], [[Northern Ireland]] reverted to the British name, Boxing Day. In East [[County Donegal|Donegal]] and [[Inishowen]], the day is also popularly known as Boxing Day.
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In [[rugby league]], festive fixtures were a staple of the traditional winter season. Since the transition to a summer season in the 1990s, no formal fixtures are now arranged on Boxing Day but some clubs, such as [[Wakefield Trinity]], arrange a traditional [[local derby]] friendly fixture instead.
  
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In [[Hong Kong]], despite the [[Handover of Hong Kong|transfer of sovereignty]] from the UK to China in 1997, Boxing Day continues to be a public holiday.<ref>[https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/holiday/<!— Bot generated title -->]</ref> If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, a compensation day is given on the next weekday.
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In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Test [[cricket]] matches are played on Boxing Day. The Boxing Day Test match held in Melbourne, Australia involves the Australian cricket team and an opposing national team that is touring Australia during the southern summer.<ref>S. Pervez Qaiser, [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/boxing-day-test-grand-year-end-event-with-rich-cricket-history/story-nr0LCfb1cRO9I3XhKe8ybO.html The legacy of Boxing Day Tests - Cricket’s grandest year-end spectacle] ''Hindustan Times'', December 26, 2017.</ref>
  
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In Australia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in all jurisdictions except the state of [[South Australia]], where a public holiday known as [[Proclamation Day (South Australia)|Proclamation Day]] is celebrated on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public holidays |url=https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/law-compliance/laws-regulations/public-holidays |website=SafeWork SA |publisher=Government of South Australia |accessdate=26 December 2018}}</ref>
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The start of the [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]] in Australia is also on Boxing Day.<ref>[https://rolexsydneyhobart.com/about-the-race/ About the Race] ''Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race''.  Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref>
  
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In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday. On these holidays, people who must work receive 1 1/2 times their salaries and a lieu day is provided to employees who work.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.govt.nz/browse/work/public-holidays-and-work/working-on-public-holidays/ | title=Working on public holidays | publisher=New Zealand Government | accessdate=25 December 2017}}</ref>
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Several [[ice hockey]] contests are associated with the day. For example, the [[IIHF World U20 Championship]] typically begins on December 26.
  
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In Canada, Boxing Day ({{lang-fr|le Lendemain de Noel}}) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and post offices/delivery are closed. In some Canadian provinces, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday<ref name="Manitoba">{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/doc,gen-holidays-after-april-30-07,factsheet.html#q13 |title = Fact Sheet |author = Manitoba Employment Standards Branch |date = 27 November 2009 |accessdate =17 December 2009}}</ref> that is always celebrated on 26 December. In Canadian provinces where Boxing Day is a statutory holiday and it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, compensation days are given in the following week.<ref name="Manitoba" />
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In some African [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations, particularly Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, [[professional boxing]] contests are held on Boxing Day. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.<ref>Joel Millman, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126179017496705483 Season's Beatings: 'Boxing Day' Takes a Pugilistic Turn] ''The Wall Street Journal'', December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref>
  
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While not generally observed in the United States, on 5 December 1996, [[Massachusetts]] Gov. [[William F. Weld]] declared 26 December as Boxing Day in [[Massachusetts]] in response to the efforts of a local coalition of British citizens to "transport the English tradition to the United States",<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1914&dat=19961224&id=W9QgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7WoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5966,3916623&hl=en "Massachusetts celebrates Boxing Day", Associated Press, ''Sun-Journal'', Lewiston, Maine, 26 December 1996].</ref> but not as an employee holiday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Massachusetts Federal and State Holidays 2017|url=https://publicholidays.us/massachusetts/|publisher=Public Holidays Global Pty Ltd|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref>
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A notable tradition in Sweden is ''[[Saint Stephen's Day bandy|Annandagsbandy]]'', which formerly marked the start of the [[bandy]] season and always draws large crowds. Games traditionally begin at 1:15&nbsp;pm.<ref>Berndt Rosqvist, [http://www.dn.se/sport/festligt-och-fullsatt-pa-stora-bandydagen Festligt och fullsatt på stora bandydagen] ''Dagens Nyheter'', December 22, 2003. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref>
  
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In some [[Europe]]an countries such as [[Romania]], [[Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]], the [[Netherlands]], the [[Czech Republic]], and [[Scandinavia]], December 26 is celebrated as a Second Christmas Day.<ref>Cameron Brown, ''Christmas Facts, Figures & Fun'' (Facts, Figures & Fun, 2006, ISBN 978-1904332275).</ref>
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===Shopping===
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[[File:Boxing Day at the Toronto Eaton Centre.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Boxing Day crowds shopping at the [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in Canada, 2007]]
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In the UK,<ref>Terry Kirby, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/boxing-day-sales-soar-as-shoppers-flock-to-malls-429935.html Boxing Day sales soar as shoppers flock to malls] ''The Independent'', December 27, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref> Canada, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand,<ref>Collette Devlin, [http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/75337680/boxing-day-still-big-for-bargain-hunters-despite-prechristmas-retail-sales Boxing Day still big for bargain hunters despite pre-christmas retail sales] ''Stuff'', December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref> Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] (the day after [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]]) in the United States. Boxing Day sales are common and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In the UK in 2009 it was estimated that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8432144.stm Boxing Day sales attract 'record' number of shoppers] ''BBC News'', December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
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In Nigeria, Boxing Day is a public holiday for working people and students. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is always a holiday on Monday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Holidays in Nigeria in 2017|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/nigeria/|website=Time and Date|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref>
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Many retailers open very early (typically 5&nbsp;am or even earlier) and offer [[doorbuster]] deals and [[loss leader]]s to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of December 26, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales.  
  
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In [[Trinidad and Tobago]], Boxing Day is a public holiday.
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In some areas of Canada, particularly in [[Atlantic Canada]] and parts of [[Northern Ontario]], most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal [[bylaw]], or by informal agreement among major retailers, in order to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day. In these areas, sales otherwise scheduled for December 26th are moved to the 27th.<ref>Craig Huckerby, [https://www.akimba.ch/media/archive/Boxing-Day-The-Debate-Continues.html Boxing Day, The Debate Continues] ''Soo News'', December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref> The city council of [[Greater Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], which was the largest city in Canada to maintain this restriction as of the early 2010s, formally repealed its store hours bylaw in 2014.<ref>Mary Katherine Keown, [https://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/12/09/council-repeals-sudburys-store-hours-byline/wcm/a1bc8bfb-fb5b-aa3d-b421-dcfa81faba2b Council repeals Sudbury's store hours bylaw] ''Sudbury Star'', December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
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In [[Singapore]], Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students; when it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday. However, in recent years this tradition has ceased in Singapore.
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Boxing Day is not, and has never been, a shopping holiday in the USA. However, December 26 often starts many U.S. retailers' after-Christmas sales. It is also the earliest starting day after Christmas for people to returning unwanted gifts for exchanges or refunds.
  
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In [[South Africa]], Boxing Day is a public holiday. Many South Africans spend the day at the beach.  
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==Status by country==
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===UK===
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Boxing Day is an official [[bank holiday]] in the [[UK]]. In [[England]] and [[Wales]], Boxing Day has been a bank holiday since 1871. When December 26 falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day is moved to the following Monday. If December 26 falls on a Sunday, the substitute [[public holiday]] is the following Tuesday. However, December 26 is referred to as Boxing Day even when it falls on a Sunday.
  
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In the British overseas territory of [[Bermuda]], the costumed [[Gombey|Gombey dancers]] perform throughout the mid-Atlantic island on Boxing Day, a tradition believed to date back to the 18th century when slaves were permitted to gather at Christmastime.<ref>Johnston-Barnes, Owain. [http://royalgazette.com/news/article/20171226/gombeys-dance-on-boxing-day Gombeys dance on Boxing Day], [[The Royal Gazette (Bermuda)|The Royal Gazette]] (26 December 2017). Accessed 27 December 2017.</ref>
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In [[Scotland]], Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by [[Royal Proclamation]] under the [[Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971]].<ref>[https://www.gov.scot/publications/bank-holidays/ Scottish bank holidays] ''Scottish Government''. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
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== Activities ==
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In [[Ireland]], when the entire island [[History of Ireland (1801–1922)|was part of]] the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]], the [[Bank Holidays Act 1871]] established the feast day of [[Saint Stephen]] as a non-moveable public holiday on 26 December.<ref> History of Bank & Public Holidays ''Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform''.</ref> Following [[Partition of Ireland|partition in 1920]], [[Northern Ireland]] reverted to the British name, Boxing Day. In East [[County Donegal|Donegal]] and [[Inishowen]], the day is also popularly known as Boxing Day.
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=== Sport ===
 
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[[File:MCG stands.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Boxing Day Test]] at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], 2006]]
 
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[[File:Boxing Day Dip in the Sea - geograph.org.uk - 1091891.jpg|thumb|250px|Boxing Day Dip]]
 
  
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[[File:Tiverton , Boxing Day 2005 - geograph.org.uk - 1128189.jpg|thumb|250px|Box Day in Tiverton. People line the street to watch as the hounds and horses pass through]]
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===Commonwealth===
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In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for all top-tier [[Association football|football]] leagues in [[England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Northern Ireland]] – the [[Premier League]], the [[Scottish Premiership]], and the [[NIFL Premiership]] – and the lower ones, as well as the [[Rugby union|rugby]] leagues, to hold a full programme of [[association football|football]] matches on Boxing Day. Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against [[local derby|local rivals]] to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2459498/boxing-day-football-2016-history-fixtures-distance-tradition/ |title=What is the history of Boxing Day football, how are fixtures determined and which fans must travel the furthest in 2016? | first=Fred | last=Nathan | date=26 December 2016 | work=[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]] | accessdate=25 December 2017}}</ref> Prior to the formation of leagues, a number of traditional [[rugby union]] fixtures took place on Boxing Day each year, notably [[Llanelli RFC|Llanelli]] v [[London Welsh RFC|London Welsh]] and [[Leicester Tigers|Leicester]] v [[Barbarian F.C.|The Barbarians]].
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In many [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries Boxing Day is a public holiday. In [[Australia]], Boxing Day is a public holiday in all jurisdictions except the state of [[South Australia]], where a public holiday known as [[Proclamation Day (South Australia)|Proclamation Day]] is celebrated on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.
  
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In Italy, Boxing Day football was played for the first time in the [[2018–19 Serie A|2018/19 Serie A season]]. The experiment was successful, with Italian stadiums 69% full on average – more than any other matchday in December 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sporvision.com/2019/italys-boxing-day/ | title=Italy's Boxing Day | publisher=Sporvision.com}}</ref>
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In [[New Zealand]], Boxing Day is a statutory holiday, one of four public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period.<ref>[https://www.govt.nz/browse/work/public-holidays-and-work/public-holidays-over-christmas-and-new-year/ Public holidays over Christmas and New Year] ''New Zealand Government''. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
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In [[rugby league]], festive fixtures were a staple of the traditional winter season. Since the transition to a summer season in the 1990s, no formal fixtures are now arranged on Boxing Day but some clubs, such as [[Wakefield Trinity]], arrange a traditional [[local derby]] friendly fixture instead.
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In [[Canada]], Boxing Day ({{lang-fr|le Lendemain de Noel}}) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks, and post offices/delivery are closed.  
  
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In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, [[Test cricket]] matches are played on Boxing Day. For more details see [[Boxing Day Test]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/boxing-day-test-grand-year-end-event-with-rich-cricket-history/story-nr0LCfb1cRO9I3XhKe8ybO.html | title=Boxing Day Test: Grand year-end event with rich cricket history | first=S Pervez | last=Qaiser | date=25 December 2017 | work=[[Hindustan Times]] | accessdate=25 December 2017}}</ref>
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In [[South Africa]], Boxing Day is a public holiday. Many South Africans spend the day at the beach. In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, vendors who normally had little interaction with those they served were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a "Christmas box", being a small cash donation, in the weeks before or after Christmas.
  
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In Australia, the first day of the [[Boxing Day Test]] in [[Melbourne]] and the start of the [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]] are on Boxing Day.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/about-the-race/ | title=About the Race | publisher=Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | accessdate=25 December 2017}}</ref>
+
In [[Nigeria]], Boxing Day is a public holiday for working people and students. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is always a holiday on Monday.<ref>[https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/nigeria/boxing-day Is Boxing Day a Public Holiday?] Nigeria, ''Time and Date''. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
−
In horse racing, there is the [[King George VI Chase]] at [[Kempton Park Racecourse]] in Surrey, England. It is the second most prestigious [[National Hunt racing|chase]] in Britain, after the [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]]. In addition to the prestigious race at Kempton, in Britain, it is usually the day with the highest number of racing meetings of the year, with eight in 2016, in addition to three more in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Racecards – 26th December 2016|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/cards/home.sd?r_date=2016-12-26|website=Racing Post}}</ref> In Barbados, the final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO world heritage site. This tradition has been going on for decades in this former British colony.
+
In [[Trinidad and Tobago]], Boxing Day is a public holiday.
 +
[[File:Gombey dancers Bermuda.JPG|thumb|250px| Gombey dancers performing in Kings Square,St. George's, Bermuda]]
 +
In the British overseas territory of [[Bermuda]], the costumed [[Gombey|Gombey dancers]] perform throughout the mid-Atlantic island on Boxing Day, a tradition believed to date back to the eighteenth century when slaves were permitted to gather at Christmastime.<ref>Owain Johnston-Barnes, [http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20171226/gombeys-dance-on-boxing-day Gombeys dance on Boxing Day] ''The Royal Gazette'', December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
  
−
Boxing Day is one of the main days in the hunting calendar for [[list of foxhound packs of the United Kingdom|hunts]] in the UK and US, with most hunts (both mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets) holding meets, often in town or village centres.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/countryside/10538429/Hundreds-of-thousands-turn-out-for-Boxing-Day-hunts.html |title=Hundreds of thousands turn out for Boxing Day hunts|date=26 December 2013 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |accessdate=21 December 2014}}</ref>
+
In [[Singapore]], Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students; when it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday. However, in recent years this tradition has ceased in Singapore.
  
−
Several [[ice hockey]] contests are associated with the day. The [[IIHF World U20 Championship]] typically begins on 26 December, while the [[Spengler Cup]] also begins on 23 December in [[Davos]], Switzerland; the Spengler Cup competition includes [[HC Davos]], [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]], and other top European Hockey teams. The [[National Hockey League]] traditionally had close to a full slate of games (10 were played in 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Hockey Schedule for December 26, 2011|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyday.htm?date=12/26/2011|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref>), following the league-wide days off given for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, the 2013 collective bargaining agreement (which followed [[2012-13 NHL lockout|a lock-out]]) extended the league mandate of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off to include Boxing Day, except when it falls on a Saturday, in which case the league can choose to make 23 December a league-wide off day instead for that year.<ref name="NHL CBA">{{cite web|title=National Hockey League CBA|url=http://www.nhl.com/nhl/en/v3/ext/CBA2012/NHL_NHLPA_2013_CBA.pdf |page=101—not digital page 101 but the printed 101 |publisher=[[National Hockey League]] |accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref>
+
In [[Hong Kong]], despite the [[Handover of Hong Kong|transfer of sovereignty]] from the UK to China in 1997, Boxing Day continues to be a public holiday.<ref>[https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/holiday/2020.htm General Holidays] ''GovHK''. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref> If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, a compensation day is given on the next weekday.
  
−
In some African [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations, particularly Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, [[professional boxing]] contests are held on Boxing Day. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126179017496705483 | title = Season's Beatings: 'Boxing Day' Takes a Pugilistic Turn | accessdate =14 November 2011 | last = Millman | first = Joel | date = 28 December 2009 | newspaper = [[The Wall Street Journal]] |edition=Asia}}</ref>
+
===Other===
−
 
+
In some [[Europe]]an countries such as [[Romania]], [[Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]], the [[Netherlands]], the [[Czech Republic]], and [[Scandinavia]], December 26 is celebrated as a Second Christmas Day.<ref>Cameron Brown, ''Christmas Facts, Figures & Fun'' (Facts, Figures & Fun, 2006, ISBN 978-1904332275).</ref>
−
A notable tradition in Sweden is ''{{lang|sv|[[Saint Stephen's Day bandy|Annandagsbandy]]}}'', which formerly marked the start of the [[bandy]] season and always draws large crowds. Games traditionally begin at 1:15&nbsp;pm.<ref name="annandagsbandy">{{cite news |first= Berndt |last= Rosqvist |title= Festligt och fullsatt på stora bandydagen |url=http://www.dn.se/sport/festligt-och-fullsatt-pa-stora-bandydagen |work=Dagens Nyheter |date=22 December 2003 |accessdate=4 February 2010 |language=Swedish |trans-title=Festive and packed with great bandy day}}</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
===Shopping===
 
−
[[File:Boxing Day at the Toronto Eaton Centre.jpg|thumb|right|Boxing Day crowds shopping at the [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in Canada, 2007]]
 
−
In the UK,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/boxing-day-sales-soar-as-shoppers-flock-to-malls-429935.html |title = Boxing Day sales soar as shoppers flock to malls |author = Terry Kirby |date = 27 December 2006 |accessdate =17 December 2009 | location=London |work=The Independent }}</ref> Canada,<ref name="ctv.ca">{{cite web |url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20051226/boxing_day_051226/ |title=Boxing Day expected to rake in $1.8 billion |author=CTV.ca News Staff |date=26 December 2005 |accessdate=17 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228163816/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20051226/boxing_day_051226 |archivedate=28 December 2010  }}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/26/boxing-day-sales-top-2bn-retailers | title = Boxing Day sales to top $2bn: retailers | date=26 December 2014|accessdate =26 December 2014 | publisher =[[Special Broadcasting Service]]}}</ref> Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/75337680/boxing-day-still-big-for-bargain-hunters-despite-prechristmas-retail-sales | title = Boxing Day still big for bargain hunters despite pre-christmas retail sales | date=21 December 2015 |accessdate =22 December 2015 | publisher=Stuff}}</ref> Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] (the day after [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]]) in the United States. Boxing Day sales are common and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In the UK in 2009 it was estimated that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales (a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008, although this was also affected by the fact that the [[VAT]] was about to revert to 17.5% from 1 January, following the temporary reduction to 15%).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8432144.stm |title=Boxing Day sales attract 'record' number of shoppers |work=BBC News |date=28 December 2009 |accessdate=26 December 2010}}</ref>
 
  
−
Many retailers open very early (typically 5&nbsp;am or even earlier) and offer [[doorbuster]] deals and [[loss leader]]s to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at [[Big-box store|big-box consumer electronics]] retailers.<ref name="ctv.ca" /> Many stores have a limited quantity of big draw or deeply discounted items.<ref name="toronto.ctv.ca">{{cite web |url=http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071213/boxing_day_071213?hub=EdmontonHome |title = How to become a Boxing Day shopping pro |date = 25 December 2007 |author = Ashleigh Patterson |accessdate =17 December 2009}}</ref> Because of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, many choose to stay at home and avoid the hectic shopping experience. Local media often covers the event, mentioning how early the shoppers began queuing up, and showing video of shoppers queuing and later leaving with their purchased items.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20071226/Boxing_Day_071226/ |title=Boxing Day begins with early rush of bargain hunters |author=toronto.ctv.ca |date=26 December 2007 |accessdate=17 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106173035/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20071226/Boxing_Day_071226/ |archivedate=6 January 2012  }}</ref> Many retailers have implemented practices aimed at managing large numbers of shoppers. They may limit entrances, restrict the number of patrons in a store at a time, provide tickets to people at the head of the queue to guarantee them a hot ticket item, or canvass queued-up shoppers to inform them of inventory limitations.<ref name="toronto.ctv.ca" />
+
While not generally observed in the United States, on December 5, 1996, [[Massachusetts]] Governor [[William F. Weld]] declared December 26 as Boxing Day in [[Massachusetts]] in response to the efforts of a local coalition of British citizens to "transport the English tradition to the United States."<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1914&dat=19961224&id=W9QgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7WoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5966,3916623&hl=en Massachusetts celebrates Boxing Day] ''Sun Journal'', December 24, 1996. Retrieved December 12, 2019.</ref>
−
 
 
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In recent years, retailers have expanded deals to "[[Boxing Week]]". While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year's Eve. Notably, in [[Late 2000s recession|the recession of late 2008]], a record number of retailers held early promotions due to a weak economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20081221/Shopping_Deals_081222/ |title=Boxing Day comes early as shoppers search for deals |author=CTV.ca News Staff |date=21 December 2008 |accessdate=17 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106141332/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20081221/Shopping_Deals_081222/ |archivedate=6 January 2012  }}</ref> Canada's Boxing Day has often been compared with the American [[Super Saturday]] (the Saturday before Christmas) and [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]]. From 2009 onward, Black Friday deals became more prominent among Canadian retailers to discourage shoppers from crossing the border to the US when the Canadian and USA dollars were close to parity. This has lessened the appeal of Boxing Day in Canada somewhat as it was overtaken by Black Friday in terms of sales in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/inside-the-shopping-extravaganza-that-black-friday-has-become-in-canada|title=Inside the shopping extravaganza that Black Friday has become in Canada|publisher=}}</ref> Boxing Day is not and has never been a shopping holiday in the USA; however, 26 December often starts many U.S. retailers' after-Christmas sales and the earliest starting day after Christmas of many people, ex. Americans, returning unwanted gifts for exchanges or refunds.
 
−
 
 
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In some areas of Canada, particularly in [[Atlantic Canada]] and parts of [[Northern Ontario]], most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal [[bylaw]], or by informal agreement among major retailers, in order to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day. In these areas, sales otherwise scheduled for 26 December are moved to the 27th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geschenkhexe.ch/media/archive/Boxing-Day-The-Debate-Continues.html |title=Boxing Day, The Debate Continues |author=soonews.ca |date=22 December 2007 |accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hAtdtyDSIeYttaUmCcZLT_bGhGzg |title=Boxing Day madness: shoppers descend on stores looking for deals |author=The Canadian Press |date=26 December 2009 |accessdate=26 December 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> The city council of [[Greater Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], which was the largest city in Canada to maintain this restriction as of the early 2010s, formally repealed its store hours bylaw on 9 December 2014.<ref>[http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/12/09/council-repeals-sudburys-store-hours-byline "Council repeals Sudbury's store hours bylaw"]. ''[[Sudbury Star]]'', 10 December 2014.</ref>
 
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−
In 2009, many retailers with both online and [[High Street]] stores launched their online sales on Christmas Eve and their High Street sales on Boxing Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geschenkhexe.ch/media/archive/IMRG-Press-Release-120m-to-be-spent-Online-on-Christmas-Day-2009.html |title = Many retailers' sales to start on Christmas Eve |date = 22 December 2009 |author = IMRG |accessdate =22 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/6858609/Boxing-Day-sales-start-on-Christmas-Eve.html |title = Boxing Day sales start on Christmas Eve |date = 22 December 2009 |author = Telegraph |accessdate =22 December 2009 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 113: Line 107:
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
All links retrieved  
+
All links retrieved November 20, 2023.
 +
 
 
* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/boxingday.asp Snopes: The Origins of Boxing Day]
 
* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/boxingday.asp Snopes: The Origins of Boxing Day]
 
* [https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/boxingday.shtml Boxing Day - the Day after Christmas!]
 
* [https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/boxingday.shtml Boxing Day - the Day after Christmas!]
 
* [https://www.history.com/news/why-is-the-day-after-christmas-called-boxing-day Why is the day after Christmas called Boxing Day?]
 
* [https://www.history.com/news/why-is-the-day-after-christmas-called-boxing-day Why is the day after Christmas called Boxing Day?]
 
* [https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-boxing-day-435060 What Is Boxing Day and How Did It Get Its Name?]
 
* [https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-boxing-day-435060 What Is Boxing Day and How Did It Get Its Name?]
 +
* [https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/boxing-day Boxing Day in the United Kingdom]
  
 
{{UK Holidays}}
 
{{UK Holidays}}

Latest revision as of 20:04, 20 November 2023


Boxing Day
Observed by Commonwealth nations
Date 26 December
Related to Day of Goodwill
Second Day of Christmastide (Twelve Days of Christmas)
Fox hunting was a traditional activity on Boxing Day. Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962

Boxing Day is a secular holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. Boxing Day is on December 26, although the attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place either on that day or two days later. December 26 is also Saint Stephen's Day, a religious holiday.

Generally, Boxing Day is considered a day to spend with family and friends, for sports, and for eating the left over food from the Christmas Day feast. The traditional fox hunt was popular among both participants and spectators prior to the banning of this sport. The origin of the term "Boxing Day" is somewhat unclear. In Britain it is understood as referring to the custom of "Christmas Boxes," small gifts, usually cash, given to servants, employees, and working people as a token of gratitude for their hard work throughout the year.

Origin

The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestations from Britain in the 1830s, defining Boxing Day as "the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box."[1]

The term "Christmas box" dates back to the seventeenth century, and among other things meant:

A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.[2]

In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for December 19, 1663.[3] This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the day to visit their families since they would have to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late twentieth century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to those who delivered letters, newspapers, milk, and the like. This might not actually take place on Boxing Day, but rather during the week before or after, as many would not work on that day.

The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need and in service positions has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen,[4] which in the Western church falls on the same day as Boxing Day.

Activities

Boxing Day is a public holiday, a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. It is a day to relax with family and friends without the pressures of the Christmas Day festivities or the need to go to work. Leftover food from the Christmas feast is enjoyed and a variety of entertainment and activities are available.

Sport

Boxing Day in Tiverton. People lined the street to watch as the hounds and horses passed through
Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2006
Boxing Day Dip

Many sporting activities are commonly associated with Boxing Day, from fox hunting to football (soccer), horse racing, and cricket, and even swimming in the ocean.

Boxing Day traditionally was one of the main days in the fox hunting calendar, with most hunts (both mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets) holding meets, often in town or village centers.[5] The sport was banned in 2002 in Scotland and 2004 in England and Wales. After the ban on fox hunting, hunts follow artificially laid trails. There are exemptions laid out in the Act, such as dogs are allowed to follow a scent but not to be used to kill the fox. Traditional fox hunting remains lawful in Northern Ireland. Despite the restrictions, it was reported that around 320,000 people (their highest recorded number) turned up to meets on Boxing Day in 2006.[6]

In horse racing, there is the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is the second most prestigious chase in Britain, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In addition to the prestigious race at Kempton, in Britain, it is usually the day with the highest number of racing meetings of the year, with eight in 2016, in addition to three more in Ireland. In Barbados, the final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO world heritage site. This tradition has been going on for decades in this former British colony.

In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for all top-tier football (soccer) leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, and the NIFL Premiership – and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full program of matches on Boxing Day. Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.[7] Prior to the formation of leagues, a number of traditional rugby union fixtures took place on Boxing Day each year, notably Llanelli v London Welsh and Leicester v The Barbarians.

In rugby league, festive fixtures were a staple of the traditional winter season. Since the transition to a summer season in the 1990s, no formal fixtures are now arranged on Boxing Day but some clubs, such as Wakefield Trinity, arrange a traditional local derby friendly fixture instead.

In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Test cricket matches are played on Boxing Day. The Boxing Day Test match held in Melbourne, Australia involves the Australian cricket team and an opposing national team that is touring Australia during the southern summer.[8]

The start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in Australia is also on Boxing Day.[9]

Several ice hockey contests are associated with the day. For example, the IIHF World U20 Championship typically begins on December 26.

In some African Commonwealth nations, particularly Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, professional boxing contests are held on Boxing Day. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.[10]

A notable tradition in Sweden is Annandagsbandy, which formerly marked the start of the bandy season and always draws large crowds. Games traditionally begin at 1:15 pm.[11]

Shopping

Boxing Day crowds shopping at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, 2007

In the UK,[12] Canada, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand,[13] Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the United States. Boxing Day sales are common and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In the UK in 2009 it was estimated that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales.[14]

Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of December 26, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales.

In some areas of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or by informal agreement among major retailers, in order to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day. In these areas, sales otherwise scheduled for December 26th are moved to the 27th.[15] The city council of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, which was the largest city in Canada to maintain this restriction as of the early 2010s, formally repealed its store hours bylaw in 2014.[16]

Boxing Day is not, and has never been, a shopping holiday in the USA. However, December 26 often starts many U.S. retailers' after-Christmas sales. It is also the earliest starting day after Christmas for people to returning unwanted gifts for exchanges or refunds.

Status by country

UK

Boxing Day is an official bank holiday in the UK. In England and Wales, Boxing Day has been a bank holiday since 1871. When December 26 falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day is moved to the following Monday. If December 26 falls on a Sunday, the substitute public holiday is the following Tuesday. However, December 26 is referred to as Boxing Day even when it falls on a Sunday.

In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by Royal Proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.[17]

In Ireland, when the entire island was part of the United Kingdom, the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of Saint Stephen as a non-moveable public holiday on 26 December.[18] Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day. In East Donegal and Inishowen, the day is also popularly known as Boxing Day.

Commonwealth

In many Commonwealth countries Boxing Day is a public holiday. In Australia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in all jurisdictions except the state of South Australia, where a public holiday known as Proclamation Day is celebrated on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.

In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday, one of four public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period.[19]

In Canada, Boxing Day (French: le Lendemain de Noel) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks, and post offices/delivery are closed.

In South Africa, Boxing Day is a public holiday. Many South Africans spend the day at the beach. In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, vendors who normally had little interaction with those they served were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a "Christmas box", being a small cash donation, in the weeks before or after Christmas.

In Nigeria, Boxing Day is a public holiday for working people and students. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is always a holiday on Monday.[20]

In Trinidad and Tobago, Boxing Day is a public holiday.

Gombey dancers performing in Kings Square,St. George's, Bermuda

In the British overseas territory of Bermuda, the costumed Gombey dancers perform throughout the mid-Atlantic island on Boxing Day, a tradition believed to date back to the eighteenth century when slaves were permitted to gather at Christmastime.[21]

In Singapore, Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students; when it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday. However, in recent years this tradition has ceased in Singapore.

In Hong Kong, despite the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997, Boxing Day continues to be a public holiday.[22] If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, a compensation day is given on the next weekday.

Other

In some European countries such as Romania, Hungary, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Scandinavia, December 26 is celebrated as a Second Christmas Day.[23]

While not generally observed in the United States, on December 5, 1996, Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld declared December 26 as Boxing Day in Massachusetts in response to the efforts of a local coalition of British citizens to "transport the English tradition to the United States."[24]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Boxing-day, n.", OED Online, 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1887).
  2. ↑ "Christmas-box, n.", OED Online, 1st ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1889), sense 3.
  3. ↑ Saturday 19 December 1663 The Diary of Samuel Pepys. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. ↑ Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (Zondervan, 2018, ISBN 978-0310631606).
  5. ↑ Miranda Prynne, Hundreds of thousands turn out for Boxing Day hunts The Daily Telegraph, December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  6. ↑ Hunts hail Boxing Day turn-out BBC, December 26, 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  7. ↑ Fred Nathan, What is the history of Boxing Day football, how are fixtures determined and which fans must travel the furthest in 2016? The Sun, December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  8. ↑ S. Pervez Qaiser, The legacy of Boxing Day Tests - Cricket’s grandest year-end spectacle Hindustan Times, December 26, 2017.
  9. ↑ About the Race Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  10. ↑ Joel Millman, Season's Beatings: 'Boxing Day' Takes a Pugilistic Turn The Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  11. ↑ Berndt Rosqvist, Festligt och fullsatt på stora bandydagen Dagens Nyheter, December 22, 2003. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  12. ↑ Terry Kirby, Boxing Day sales soar as shoppers flock to malls The Independent, December 27, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  13. ↑ Collette Devlin, Boxing Day still big for bargain hunters despite pre-christmas retail sales Stuff, December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  14. ↑ Boxing Day sales attract 'record' number of shoppers BBC News, December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  15. ↑ Craig Huckerby, Boxing Day, The Debate Continues Soo News, December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  16. ↑ Mary Katherine Keown, Council repeals Sudbury's store hours bylaw Sudbury Star, December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  17. ↑ Scottish bank holidays Scottish Government. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  18. ↑ History of Bank & Public Holidays Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform.
  19. ↑ Public holidays over Christmas and New Year New Zealand Government. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  20. ↑ Is Boxing Day a Public Holiday? Nigeria, Time and Date. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  21. ↑ Owain Johnston-Barnes, Gombeys dance on Boxing Day The Royal Gazette, December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  22. ↑ General Holidays GovHK. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  23. ↑ Cameron Brown, Christmas Facts, Figures & Fun (Facts, Figures & Fun, 2006, ISBN 978-1904332275).
  24. ↑ Massachusetts celebrates Boxing Day Sun Journal, December 24, 1996. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

External links

All links retrieved November 20, 2023.

Flag of United Kingdom Public holidays in the United Kingdom
All regions
England and Wales
Good Friday · Easter Monday · Spring Bank Holiday
Northern Ireland
Saint Patrick's Day · Easter Monday · Easter Tuesday · Spring Bank Holiday · Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)
Scotland
2nd January · Good Friday · St Andrew's Day (optional)

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