New Delhi: The celebrations are not over in some countries after the Christmas on December 25. On the next day, that is on December 26, Boxing Day is celebrated. Once upon a time, it was a day to donate gifts to the needy people. But since then, it has evolved to become a part of the Christmas festivities with many people opting on this day to shop for deals. In this article, we will take a look at this holiday which is observed in many countries in the world.
What is Boxing Day and when it is celebrated?
Boxing Day is a holiday which is celebrated every year on December 26, the day after the Christmas celebrations take place. It has evolved from a day of giving money, gifts and donations to the poor to a shopping holiday. According to reports, the origin of the Boxing Day happened in the United Kingdom and today it is celebrated in many Commonwealth countries.
In the UK and other countries like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Boxing Day is observed as a public holiday or a bank holiday. Here it must be noted that if December 26, the day of Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is designated as the official public holiday.
How did Boxing Day get its name?
Since the Middle Ages, the tradition of giving money and gifts to those in need has been in vogue, and it can be traced back to even earlier period. Back in those days, alms boxes were placed in the Church to collect offerings. In the UK, the tradition became tradesmen collecting Christmas boxes with gifts from clients as a mark of appreciation for their services.
There are many theories regarding the origin of the name Boxing Day. Some believe that it came to the opening of alms boxes which were placed in Churches to collect offerings. Others have opined that the name came from the boxes of gifts that employees got after Christmas. Since the servants worked on the Christmas Day for their employers, they were given a holiday on the following day. Till today’s age, there is the practice of giving bonuses to service employees.
What are the popular activities on Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is mainly associated with sports today, with football and rugby matches held in the UK and cricket matches held in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The other popular sports on this day are horse racing and foxhunting and in 2005, the use of hounds in hunts was banned in England and Wales.
On this day, many people spend time with family and friends, gathering for meals and spending a relaxed holiday. Traditional foods on Boxing Day includes baked ham and mince pies with brandy butter. Apart from giving donations to the needy, the holiday of Boxing Day has evolved into a shopping holiday when people cash in on lucrative deals.
Boxing Day, celebrated annually on December 26, boasts a rich history evolving from charitable giving to a festive shopping holiday. Originating in the UK, it’s now observed in many Commonwealth countries, often as a public holiday. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
