So, the festive season is behind us, the turkey has been devoured, and you’re either braving the sales or lounging on the sofa… but why? What exactly is Boxing Day, and how did it get its name and why do we go to sales on it.
Contrary to what you might think, it has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. Instead, it’s a day steeped in a variety of traditions – from stoning to gift boxes and sailor superstitions. Here’s everything you need to know about this peculiarly UK holiday.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day falls on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and is a public holiday in the UK. It’s an extra day off before we all trudge back to work.But there’s more to it than just a bonus day off. Boxing Day is a National Bank Holiday, a chance to munch on your leftovers and binge-watch TV, but its actual traditions go back much further and are deeply rooted in history.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
There are numerous theories behind the name, so we’ve broken them down for you.
Giving to the poor
Some believe that Boxing Day began with churches collecting alms boxes of parishioners’ donated money, according to Britannica. The church would give these boxes of donations to the poor the day after Christmas. The name has stuck, but now, people typically donate to charity in the weeks leading up to the holidays
Victorian times:
Some say the name comes from a time during Queen Victoria’s reign when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants – a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.
The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families. The 26 December also has religious connections and is celebrated as Saint Stephen’s Day in Ireland and the Catalonia region of Spain.
In some European countries – such as Hungary, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands – Boxing Day is celebrated as a second Christmas Day.
Traditions:
Aside from lazing on the sofa, eating too much food, and chatting with family, there are a few other Boxing Day traditions. Fox hunting was a traditional Boxing Day sport until it was banned in 2004.
Shopping:
The sales used to kick off in January, but now they start even earlier on Boxing Day.
In Ireland, the day after Christmas is referred to as St Stephen’s Day, named in honour of the saint who was stoned to death for his faith in Jesus. As per tradition, many Irish folk engage in a custom known as Wren Boys, as reported by the Mirror.
This involves lads dressing up and marching around town, knocking on doors to solicit funds. Originally, this ritual was linked with the stoning of wren birds to death, symbolising St Stephen’s fate.
However, the actual stoning has been discontinued; instead, the boys simply dress up and march around town collecting money for charity. When it comes to Boxing Day cuisine, leftovers are the preferred choice, often accompanied by baked ham.