Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day. Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday.
When Christmas day passes, the celebration continues in some countries. In the United Kingdom, as well as a number of other countries like Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada—Boxing Day is a bank holiday or public holiday that became official in 1871. Boxing Day is traditionally recognized on December 26, but if that day falls on a Saturday, the celebration moves to the following Monday. If December 26 is a Sunday, Boxing Day is observed on the following Tuesday.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
The term "Boxing Day" was first recorded in 1833, but the official origin of the name has never been determined. There are plenty of theories, which include:
The name is a reference to holiday gifts. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a gift from their employer. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give gifts to their families.
The name is a reference to charity drives. A box to collect money for the poor traditionally and placed in Churches on Christmas day and opened the next day, or Boxing Day.
The name refers to a nautical tradition. When setting sail, ships would carry a sealed box containing money for good luck. If the voyage was a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas, and the contents then given to the poor.
Popular Boxing Day activities
For some people, Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends. Many people will gather for meals, spend time outside, or simply relax at home and enjoy the day off. Traditional Boxing Day food includes baked ham, pease pudding, and mince pies with brandy butter, along with a slice of Christmas cake or another dessert.
To some extent, Boxing Day is considered a shopping holiday, with stores offering reduced prices for Boxing Day sales, similar to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.
Additionally, Boxing Day has recently become synonymous with watching sports. A number of leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland hold football and rugby matches, while Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are known for cricket matches on Boxing Day. Other sports that typically occur on Boxing Day include horse racing and ice hockey. Fox hunts are traditionally a part of Boxing Day activities; however, fox hunting with dogs was banned in the UK in 2004. Hunters still gather, dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn but now follow artificially laid trails.Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day
What is Boxing Day Test
Boxing day Test is a red ball cricket match played on December 26 (a day after Christmas). Traditionally, it is held at the Australia's iconic stadium Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) which is located Victoria state.
The first Boxing Day Test was played at MCG during the 1974-75 Ashes series between Australia and England. In 1980, Melbourne Cricket Club and Cricket Australia secured the rights to begin a Test match every year on Boxing Day (Dec 26) at the MCG. Since then, Australia host a cricketing nation for a Test match on December 26. In 2020, Australia cricket team will host India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Boxing Day Test.
