Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26, has nothing to do with pugilistic competitions despite its name. It is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas and is officially called ‘Day After Christmas.’ It is a day when gifts are given and received in the form of a ‘Christmas Box’.
It is more traditionally celebrated across Commonwealth nations, Europe and USA. If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, the celebrations will be held the next day.
In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. It is also known as both St Stephen's Day and the Day of the Wren or Wren's Day in Ireland. In many European countries, notably Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.
In most countries, it is a statutory/federal public/bank holiday. In the United States, Boxing Day is celebrated as a public holiday mostly in the southern States.
In the United Kingdom, Canada, and some States of Australia, the day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the United States. The festive shopping remains a huge hit with every household in most of the countries that celebrate Boxing Day.
By established norms, Australia holds the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (it will take on India on Friday this time round). It also marks the commencement of the popular Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
It is more traditionally celebrated across Commonwealth nations, Europe and USA. If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, the celebrations will be held the next day.
In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. It is also known as both St Stephen's Day and the Day of the Wren or Wren's Day in Ireland. In many European countries, notably Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.
In most countries, it is a statutory/federal public/bank holiday. In the United States, Boxing Day is celebrated as a public holiday mostly in the southern States.
In the United Kingdom, Canada, and some States of Australia, the day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the United States. The festive shopping remains a huge hit with every household in most of the countries that celebrate Boxing Day.
By established norms, Australia holds the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (it will take on India on Friday this time round). It also marks the commencement of the popular Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.