Boxing Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boxing Day |
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Boxing Day crowds shopping at Toronto's Eaton Centre.
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| Also called | Offering Day |
| Observed by | Commonwealth nations |
| Type | Bank holiday, public holiday |
| Date | 26 December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
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Boxing Day is a special holiday celebrated on December 26th, right after Christmas Day. It's part of the Christmastide season. Long ago, it was a day for giving gifts to people in need. Today, it's often a time for big sales and shopping. Boxing Day started in Great Britain and is now celebrated in many Commonwealth countries. It's usually a public holiday, and sometimes the holiday moves to a different weekday if December 26th falls on a weekend. It also happens on the same day as Saint Stephen's Day, a Christian holiday.
In some parts of Europe, like Germany, Italy, and most of Ireland, December 26th is known as Saint Stephen's Day. This day is seen as the second day of Christmas in these places.
Contents
What Does "Boxing Day" Mean?
There are a few ideas about where the name "Boxing Day" came from. No one knows for sure which one is correct.
Gifts for Those in Need
One idea is that the name comes from an old tradition of giving money or gifts to people who needed help. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages. It might be linked to "alms boxes" placed in churches. These boxes collected donations for the poor. On Saint Stephen's Day, which is December 26th, these boxes were sometimes opened. The money inside was then given to those in need.
The "Christmas Box" Tradition
Another idea points to the term "Christmas box." This term was used in the 1600s. It meant a gift or tip given around Christmas time. In Britain, it was common for people like tradesmen or employees to receive these "Christmas boxes." They got them as a thank you for their good service throughout the year.
This tradition also connects to a time when wealthy families allowed their servants to visit their own families the day after Christmas. The employers would give each servant a box. This box might contain gifts, extra money, or even leftover food from Christmas dinner.
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is always on December 26th. This day is also Saint Stephen's Day, a religious holiday.
Public Holiday Rules
In places like the United Kingdom, Boxing Day is a bank holiday. If December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the public holiday usually moves to the next weekday. For example, if December 26th is a Sunday, the holiday might be celebrated on Tuesday, December 28th. This makes sure people get a weekday off. This rule helps ensure that the holiday is always observed on a working day.
Where is Boxing Day Celebrated?
Boxing Day is a public holiday in many Commonwealth countries.
- Australia: It's a public holiday in most parts of Australia. Big sports events like the Boxing Day Test cricket match and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start on this day.
- Canada: Boxing Day is a federal holiday. Government offices, banks, and post offices are closed. Many provinces also make it a provincial holiday.
- New Zealand: It's a public holiday. People who work on this day often get paid extra and receive another day off later.
- Nigeria: Boxing Day is a public holiday for workers and students. If it's on a weekend, the holiday moves to the next Monday.
- South Africa: December 26th is called the Day of Goodwill. It's a public holiday there.
- United Kingdom: It has been a bank holiday since 1871.
- Bermuda: The traditional Gombey dancers perform on Boxing Day. This tradition might go back to the 1700s.
Boxing Day Shopping
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In countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Boxing Day is famous for shopping. Stores have huge "Boxing Day sales" with big discounts. For many shops, this day brings in the most money all year.
The Shopping Experience
Many stores open very early, sometimes at 5 AM or even earlier. They offer special "doorbuster" deals to attract shoppers. Long lines often form hours before stores open, especially at electronics stores. Because of the huge crowds, some people prefer to stay home and shop online.
News channels often show videos of shoppers waiting in line and leaving with their new items. Stores have ways to manage the crowds. They might limit how many people can enter at once or give out tickets for popular items.
Sales Beyond Boxing Day
Even though Boxing Day is December 26th, many sales last for several days. They might start before December 26th and continue until New Year's Eve. This period is often called "Boxing Week."
Boxing Day vs. Black Friday
Boxing Day sales are sometimes compared to "Black Friday" sales in the United States. Black Friday happens after the American Thanksgiving holiday in late November. In recent years, some Canadian and British stores have also started having Black Friday sales. This has sometimes made Boxing Day sales a bit less busy than they used to be.
In the United States, Boxing Day sales are not a big tradition. However, many stores start their "after-Christmas" sales on this day. It's also a popular day for people to return unwanted gifts or use their gift cards.
Boxing Day Sports
Boxing Day is a big day for sports in many countries.
Football and Rugby
In the United Kingdom, it's a tradition for top football leagues to play matches on Boxing Day. This includes the Premier League in England. These matches were often played between local rival teams. This meant fans didn't have to travel far after Christmas Day. Rugby leagues also have games on this day.
Cricket
In Australia, the national cricket team traditionally starts a major test match on Boxing Day. This game is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race also begins on Boxing Day.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is popular on Boxing Day. In England, there's a famous race called the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse. It's one of the most important horse races in Britain.
Ice Hockey
Several ice hockey games are linked to Boxing Day. The IIHF World Junior Championship usually starts on December 26th. The Spengler Cup tournament also begins around this time. In Sweden, bandy games are a tradition on Saint Stephen's Day.
Other Sports
In some African Commonwealth countries, like Ghana and Nigeria, professional boxing matches are held on Boxing Day. Hunting events are also common in the UK and US.
The Boxing Day Tsunami
The terrible 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami happened on December 26th, 2004. Because of this, it is often called "the Boxing Day Tsunami."
Images for kids
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Boxing Day crowds shopping at Toronto's Eaton Centre.
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Boxing Day crowds shopping at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, 2007
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Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2006
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Boxing Day Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962
See also
In Spanish: Boxing Day para niños
