Why is the day after Christmas called Boxing Day? Meaning explained
BOXING DAY is the perfect opportunity for Brits to put their feet up and relax following the chaos of Christmas Day - but where does it get its name from?
The UK Bank Holiday has nothing to do with the sport of boxing and the origins of its name are very different as we reveal here.
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day falls on December 26 and when it falls on a weekend, as it does in 2021, the Monday after it is declared a public holiday, too.
So this means Monday, December 27, 2021, is a bank holiday across the UK.
Boxing Day is primarily a British tradition, and the UK has exported it to Australia, Canada and New Zealand, where it has primarily become a day dedicated to shopping and sporting events.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
There are a few competing stories for the origin of the name, but none are definitive.
The first is that the day after Christmas was when servants of the wealthy were given time off to visit their family, as they were needed to work on Christmas Day.
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Each servant would be given a box to take home with food, a bonus and gifts.
Another theory is that in the Victorian era, churches often displayed a box for parishioners to donate money.
Also, it was customary for tradespeople to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or gifts on the first week day after Christmas as a thank you for good service over the year.
The day is also known as St Stephen’s Day, remembering Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr as told in the Bible in the book of Acts.
How is Boxing Day celebrated?
Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, particularly those not seen on Christmas Day itself.
It is also a day to eat left over turkey, and make bubble and squeak sandwiches.
In modern times the day has become associated with sports - particularly football and rugby. Local rivals are often pitted together, especially in lower leagues.
The day used to be synonymous with hunting.
The 2004 foxhunting ban put an end to this, although many places still carry out drag hunts (the dogs chase a scent that has been laid out) to keep up the tradition.
Boxing Day is also a time when the Brits show their eccentricity by taking part in all kinds of bizarre traditions including swimming the icy cold English Channel, or legging it into the sea, fun runs and charity events.
December 26 is a big day for sales too.
Dramatic price reductions lure out millions of shoppers who even queue for hours before the shops open.
Where else is Boxing Day celebrated?
Boxing Day is mostly a Commonwealth tradition, with the likes of Canada, Australia and New Zealand celebrating the day alongside their companions in the UK.
Banks, post offices and many other businesses and organisations are closed on Boxing Day. However, stores and pubs are generally open, although they may open later and close earlier than usual.
December 26 is also a national holiday in Ireland, but there it is known as St Stephen's Day.
This day has come to also be known as the "Day of the Wren" (pronounced "Day of the Ran").
On the Day of the Wren, groups would go from door to door in their neighbourhood wearing old clothes and straw hats and playing music and dancing.
Depending on where you are from, these groups are either called Mummers or Wren-boys.
This tradition has died out in all but a few small spots of the country in recent years.
The saint, who was stoned to death for believing in Jesus, is also the patron saint of horses which could be where the hunting association came from.