Stephen, the first Christian martyr and a figure known for acts of charity. Ireland celebrates December 26 as St. Although the practice of almsgiving on December 26 has faded with charity now being given in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Boxing Day name has endured. These days, December 26 is a popular holiday in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries for watching sports such as soccer and cricket, shopping and visiting friends. The other St. Stephen practiced mission work in Sweden and had a fondness for animals—especially horses.
This may be the reason that horse racing is popular on this day. Food on Boxing Day usually includes left over turkey from the day before. This can be eaten in sandwiches or as a meal with vegetables, roast potatoes and all the trimmings. See turkey leftover recipes. Some people like to have cold ham in a buffet style so the cook can also have a rest and spend time with the family.
See how to set up a great buffet table. Sporting events have taken place on Boxing Day for centuries. However, pugilism—fighting with gloved fists boxing! Foxhunting was once a tradition among wealthy British on Boxing Day. In , however, laws prohibited hunting with foxes and allowed hunts only in modified form. Charity and giving to the poorer among us is still a big part of Boxing Day. Some folks participate in charity runs. Boxing Day, on December 26, gave the wealthy a chance to repay their servants and tradespeople with paid time off and small gift boxes filled with trinkets or coins as a show of appreciation for their service during the holidays and throughout the year.
Servants and tradespeople also prepared gift boxes for their own families, too. Some historians attribute Boxing Day to the small boxes of alms placed near the church doors requesting donations to help the poor during Advent. On the day after Christmas, members of the church clergy would distribute the donations to needy citizens throughout the community. December 26 was chosen for these charitable acts because the day was dedicated to St.
Stephen, a patron saint known for good works and his status as the first Christian martyr. Ironically, during modern times, Boxing Day is synonymous with holiday shopping, good times, and sports. Rather than boxing, soccer and cricket matches are the sports of choice that bring everyone together for more holiday fun. In the UK, sports are often played on Boxing Day, especially football matches and horse racing. There is a cricket test match on Boxing Day each year in Australia, where they play against another country.
Fox hunts were also a big part of Boxing Day traditions, but in , the activity was banned in the UK. Hunters still gather, dressed in their finest coats, but now follow designated artificial trails. Traditionally, the holiday was celebrated by giving to the needy and less fortunate, but over time, Boxing Day has evolved and been commodified in several different ways.
Saint Stephen Day recalls the patron saint, based in Jerusalem, who helped the poor but was stoned to death, making him the first Christian martyr for the faith. In , the Oxford English Dictionary, an acknowledged guardian of the correct use of the English language, makes the first reference to Boxing Day in print.
Boxing Day is known nowadays for its fantastic deals, discounts, and sales. Here are similar holidays around the world. Big sales jump off on Boxing Day a la Black Friday. Friends and family gather to eat together and to attend sporting events like horse racing and soccer.
Boxing Day in Jamaica comes with a rasta vibe. People party at the beach and attend Caribbean-flavored pantomimes usually performed in a Jamaican patois.
Jamaicans also go to actual boxing matches on Boxing Day! Boxing Day refers to the gift boxes filled with trinkets or money that tradespeople, servants, messenger boys, postmen and others in the middle or lower classes received from the wealthy as a show of appreciation for their work at Christmas time and the rest of the year.
Boxing Day is a public or bank holiday with time off for most non-essential personnel. If Boxing Day lands on a weekend, the following Monday is a bank holiday. While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know. Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day. Christmas Day is a holiday that traditionally celebrates Jesus Christ's birth.
It is on December 25 in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom observes Remembrance Day to remember those who sacrificed their lives during wars and conflicts, including World War I. The first Sunday in Advent is the start of the liturgical or church year for many Christians as well as the Christmas season for people in the United Kingdom UK. Sign in. Is Boxing Day a Public Holiday?
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