Boxing Day

Boxing Day* takes place on December 26^th or the following Monday if December 26^th falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Boxing Day began in England, in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day was a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes.

There seem to be two theories on the origin of Boxing Day and why it is celebrated. The first is that centuries ago, on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses, from their employer, for a job well done, today. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, “Boxing Day”.

The second thought is that Boxing Day comes from the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season, where people would put some money during church services. Their contents were distributed amongst the poor by the clergy the day after Christmas.

Major customs:

Boxing Day Hunts. Traditionally Boxing Day was a day for fox hunting. Horse riders dressed in red and white riding gear, accompanied by a number of dogs called foxhounds chased the fox through the countryside in the hope of tiring it out. Eventually the hunters hope the fox will be so tired that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it.

Many animal welfare campaigners object to fox hunting saying it is cruel to kill a fox in this way, while many participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in England, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control.

In November 2004, MPs voted to ban hunting with dogs in England and Wales. As from 18 February 2005 hunting with dogs became a criminal offence (although it is still legal to exercise hounds, chase a scent and flush out foxes to be shot).

Family Time. Traditionally, Boxing Day is the day when families get together. Whereas Christmas is often celebrated in the narrow family circle, Boxing Day may be the time for a larger family reunion. It is a day of watching sports and playing board games with the family. Many families will go on walks in the countryside together on this day.

Shopping. In recent times, some shops have broken from tradition and started opening on Boxing Day to start the New Year sales. Hundreds of people now spend Boxing Day morning in queues outside shops, waiting to be the first to dive for the sales racks as the doors opened.