Boxing Day
The term Boxing Day first appeared in print within the Oxford English Dictionary during 1743. This early definition described it simply as the day after Christmas day. Samuel Pepys recorded a custom in his diary entry for the 19th of December 1663 regarding Christmas boxes. Tradesmen collected money or presents on the first weekday following Christmas to thank customers and employees. The tradition likely stems from alms boxes placed inside church narthexes during the Middle Ages. These boxes collected special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen. On this specific date, churches would open these boxes to distribute funds to the poor. By the 18th century, seasonal gratuities became an established practice across Britain. Employers gave servants a box containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. This allowed workers to visit their families since they had served masters on Christmas Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day remains a public holiday in all jurisdictions except South Australia. That state celebrates Proclamation Day instead on the first weekday after Christmas. Canada recognizes Boxing Day as a federal statutory holiday for federally regulated industries. Ontario also lists it as a statutory holiday while New Brunswick calls it a prescribed day of rest. Hong Kong made Boxing Day a general holiday upon transferring sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Starting in 2024, the territory elevated it to a statutory holiday status. Ireland refers to the day as Saint Stephen's Day in most regions but uses Boxing Day in Ulster. Northern Ireland and County Donegal specifically use the latter name. A Boxing Day tragedy occurred in Donegal when a man died in a crash on the 26th of December 2019. Another incident involved a couple losing their home in a fire on the 29th of December 2017. Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld declared every the 26th of December as Boxing Day in 1996. This decision responded to efforts by British citizens to transport the English tradition to the United States.
Boxing Day sales became a major revenue event for merchants across the United Kingdom and Canada. An estimated 12 million shoppers appeared at UK stores during 2009. This figure represented a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008. Many retailers opened very early around 5 am or even before that time. Long queues formed hours before shops officially opened holding big sales. Some areas in Atlantic Canada prohibited retailers from opening on Boxing Day by provincial law. The city council of Greater Sudbury repealed its store hours bylaw on the 9th of December 2014. Black Friday promotions began appearing in Canadian retail markets during the late 2000s. Dollar parity between Canada and the US encouraged retailers to hold these promotions. By 2013, traditional Canadian Boxing Day sales declined relative to Black Friday figures. A retail analysis firm noted a 9.8% drop in British store traffic on Boxing Day in 2019. This marked the largest year-over-year decline since 2010. Online shopping growth contributed significantly to this shift away from high-street visits.
Home Nations football leagues hold full programmes of fixtures on Boxing Day within the United Kingdom. The Premier League returned domestic top flight matches for the 2022, 23 season following a six-week break. Australian cricket teams traditionally open one test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 26th of December. The concept formalized in 1980 under the Australian Cricket Board. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race also begins on Boxing Day annually. King George VI Chase takes place at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. It stands as the second most prestigious chase in Britain after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Eight racing meetings occurred in Britain alone during 2016. Hunts across the UK and US hold meets often in town or village centres. Professional boxing contests are held in Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Guyana and Italy have followed this practice for decades. The IIHF World Junior Championship typically begins on the 26th of December each year. Saint Stephen's Day bandy games became an established tradition in Sweden.
People in the UK commonly eat leftovers from Christmas dinner on Boxing Day. Turkey often appears in a Boxing Day sandwich or curry. Gombey dancers perform throughout Bermuda on Boxing Day. This tradition dates back to the 18th century when slaves gathered at Christmas. The Royal Gazette reported on these costumed performers on the 27th of December 2017. In Indonesia, Boxing Day was included as a joint holiday starting in 2023. South Africa designates the 26th of December as the Day of Goodwill instead. Trinidad and Tobago maintains it as a public holiday. New Zealand provides employees who work with time-and-a-half salaries plus a day in lieu. Nigeria observes Boxing Day as a public holiday for working people and students. When the date falls on a weekend, a holiday follows on the next Monday. Some African Commonwealth nations hold professional boxing contests specifically on this day. The Historic Garrison Savannah hosts final horse racing days in Barbados. It remains a UNESCO world heritage site hosting these events for decades.
Common questions
When did the term Boxing Day first appear in print?
The term Boxing Day first appeared in print within the Oxford English Dictionary during 1743. This early definition described it simply as the day after Christmas day.
Which Australian state does not celebrate Boxing Day as a public holiday?
South Australia remains the only jurisdiction that celebrates Proclamation Day instead on the first weekday after Christmas. All other Australian jurisdictions recognize Boxing Day as a public holiday.
How many shoppers visited UK stores during Boxing Day sales in 2009?
An estimated 12 million shoppers appeared at UK stores during 2009. This figure represented a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008.
What major cricket event begins on the 26th of December in Australia?
Australian cricket teams traditionally open one test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 26th of December. The concept formalized in 1980 under the Australian Cricket Board.
Why do some African Commonwealth nations hold professional boxing contests on Boxing Day?
Some African Commonwealth nations hold professional boxing contests specifically on this day. Professional boxing contests are held in Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania while Guyana and Italy have followed this practice for decades.