In which country did Boxing Day originate?

Boxing Day is a secular holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. Boxing Day is on 26 December, although the attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place either on that day or two days later.

In some European countries such as Romania, Hungary, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, 26 December is celebrated as a Second Christmas Day.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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20 Comments

john duckett

The name is a reference to holiday gifts. A 'Christmas Box' in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a 'Christmas Box' (probably empty!!) from the master of the house. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give 'Christmas Boxes' to their families. Now of course nobody has the patience to wait until Boxing Day to give and receive gifts.

Kathryn Cavanagh

I am so pleased to read the explanation written by john duckett, one of the players, as the writer gave NO explanation as to the meaning or origin of the words. I was about to do so then read john's as decided to leave it at that. Perhaps those who pose the questions could also provide ANSWERS that are total and correct..!! Partial will never do.

earlepg

Ken Jackson, In the article, it mentions something about occurences in the 1700s. If that, or an even earlier, is a reasonable date, then it would seem reasonable to credit the start of Boxing Day to England.

Chris Braid

Could have done with an explanation! Thank you John Duckett! 😉

Marguerite LaHaye

Dec. 26 is also St. Stephen's Day. Perhaps we should give credit to King Wenceslas for starting the tradition of giving Christmas leftovers to the poor. The story does make a good makes Christmas carol, whether or not it's based on an actual event

Carrol Halliwell

john duckett, I wondered why there wasn't a more definitive answer. A day that the aristocracy presented boxed gifts to the help. Most likely filled with left-over food.

Shelley Durocher

Grant McIntosh, Skullfire was saying that he/she got it wrong, not that the given answer was wrong. It had nothing to do with complaining about the question itself. I honestly have no idea where you got that from the comment.

Peter de Loriol

john duckett, yes I would have wanted your full answer - alwaysbest to explain why something is called that

Ellie Zucchiatti

In Canada Boxing Day sales used to be good if you could brave the crowds after Christmas. Now the stores have adopted the American Black Friday sales. Customers line up in a very civilized manner and get great sales during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Deborah Koreneff

Boxing day originated, I believe, with the rich handing out leftover food to the poor the day after Christmas. Or so said my long-dead English grandmother. There is another idea that churches put up boxes for people to put money in, which were opened the day after Christmas and the money distributed to the poor. My grandmother also referred to tips given to tradesmen at Christmas (milkmen, dustman, etc) as their Christmas Box.

skullfire

Grant McIntosh, what does the author putting the wrong answer have to do with my nationality?

Louise C.

I never go anywhere near the shops on Boxing Day as it is worse than going shopping on Christmas Eve, have never understood why we celebrate Boxing Day, is it because family have had enough of each other by then and start boxing?

Cheryl Perkins

Boxing day has now become big business for the big box stores. Someone would have to pay me big dollars to go shopping on Boxing Day.

Rob Clark

Colin James Frost, you are wrong the act of union 1707 created the UK as a sovereign country. Whether you or I agree with the Act is irrelevant the UK is legally a country.