Boxing Day: Why and how it's celebrated
Boxing Day: Why and how it's celebrated (freepik.com)
Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated the day after Christmas on December 26 in Great Britain and Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. As part of Christmas celebrations, it is another opportunity to share gifts with friends and loved ones, according to USA Today and NBC Washington.
Origins of the Boxing Day
Boxing Day finds its origins in a tradition during the reign of Queen Victoria when servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate were presented with gifts, Britannica says.
Origins of Boxing Day pic.twitter.com/gbCnewjYfN
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The etymology of the name has various interpretations. Some suggest it originated from churches placing alms boxes to gather donations for the needy. Others believe it began when employers handed out boxes of gifts to their staff on the day following Christmas, considering that servants worked on Christmas day itself. The practice of giving bonuses to employees continues, but it is now often done before than after Christmas.
Boxing Day (freepik.com)
How it is celebrated
Given its status as a public holiday in the countries where it is celebrated, most people have a day off from work and school. Families come together for meals, leisure time, or shopping. The traditional Boxing Day menu has baked ham, pease pudding, and mince pies.
The day is also marked by various sporting events, such as horse racing, foxhunting, and rugby.
Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day after the first Christian martyr who was known for helping the needy.
We also wrote about the ancient tradition of gift-giving as an anthropological insight into generosity behind our spending and how long you can keep food holiday leftovers.
