Happy Boxing Day!
Wait, what?
For much of the English-speaking world, the day after Christmas is Boxing Day. But the United States isn’t one of those countries.
So, what exactly is it? Think of it as a super-packed holiday that combines shopping, gift-giving and sports-watching. Kind of like Thanksgiving and Christmas combined, but with a bigger focus on giving to others than receiving.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day, observed annually on Dec. 26, originated in the United Kingdom as a day for giving “boxes” of gifts or money to service workers, charities and the less fortunate.
Today, it’s celebrated in such countries as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, often as a public holiday that combines relaxation, shopping, and community traditions.
The holiday dates back to the Victorian Era, when the upper class would reciprocate the wealth they received at Christmas by giving gifts and goods to tradespeople and servants, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
“During the Victorian Era — 1837 to 1901 — the upper class would box up leftover food, money, or goods and give them to their tradesmen, as well as their servants for reliable service all year.”
“The custom arose because servants, who would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, had the next day off. They were given gifts from their masters and would go home to visit their families,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What sports are played on Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is famous for its sports traditions, especially in the U.K. Football (soccer) matches, horse racing and cricket are the main events, with fans packing stadiums for the annual fixtures, making it one of the busiest days on the sporting calendar.
But it wasn’t always so peaceful. One of the most well-known Boxing Day sports, fox hunting, was once a major tradition. Hunts — including mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets — often met in town or village centers. The sport was banned in 2002 in Scotland and 2004 in England and Wales.
Why does the US not celebrate Boxing Day?
The U.S. is one of the few English-speaking countries — and former British colonies — that doesn’t celebrate Boxing Day.
While there’s no clear reason why the U.S. hasn’t adopted Boxing Day as a national holiday, some speculate it’s because America became an independent nation well before Britain established the day as an official holiday in 1871, according to Infoplease.
It’s no different than how other English-speaking countries don’t celebrate the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving, since those holidays aren’t tied to their own histories.
Is Boxing Day like America’s Black Friday?
In some ways, Boxing Day is similar to Black Friday — which falls annually the day after Thanksgiving — as a major shopping day with discounts and online deals.
However, Boxing Day is also a public holiday in many countries, giving workers time off.
Beyond shopping, it includes sporting events, charitable giving, informal family meals and sometimes church services, making it more than just a day of sales. Many people also use the day for relaxation or leisure activities, keeping the focus on enjoying time with family and community.
Is Boxing Day the same as St. Stephen’s Day?
While both days are celebrated on Dec. 26, St. Stephen’s Day is a religious holiday that’s also known as the Feast of Saint Stephen.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr who was known for helping the poor, according to Farmer’s Almanac.
If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s mentioned in a popular Christmas song, “Good King Wenceslas”:
“Good King Wenceslas looked out
on the feast of Stephen.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is Boxing Day? Who celebrates, what to know
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
