The Tradition of Boxing Day

(or The Day After Christmas)

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In December 26th, Boxing Day is celebrated in select countries historically tied to the UK, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Germany, it's known as 'Zweiter Feiertag' or 'Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag.' The dating of Boxing Day can be complex, often described as the first weekday after Christmas, with distinctions between the day (the 26th) and the public holiday.

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In 2021, Christmas and Boxing Day were on a weekend, with their public holidays on the 27th and 28th. The term 'substitute' weekday for bank holidays clarifies their scheduling. Boxing Day became a public holiday in most of the UK in 1871, reaching Scotland in 1974.

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St. Stephen's Day, on December 26th, honors two historical figures associated with charity and giving. The tradition of opening alms boxes for the poor dates back to the Middle Ages, possibly influenced by the Romans' use of collecting boxes for winter celebrations.

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Rich landowners traditionally gave gifts, often leftover food, to workers, and servants enjoyed a day off on Boxing Day. Before World War II, working people collected Christmas tips, a practice mostly discontinued today.

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St. Stephen's Day inspired the carol 'Good King Wenceslas,' emphasizing charity. Boxing Day is also a public holiday in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with Pantomimes, sports events, and post-Christmas sales being traditional observances. The 26th December also marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, a seven-day festival celebrating African and African American culture and history.

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