So, the festive season is behind us, the turkey has been devoured, and you’re either braving the sales or lounging on the sofa…but why? What exactly is Boxing Day, and how did it get its name?
Contrary to what you might think, it has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. Instead, it’s a day steeped in a variety of traditions – from stoning to gift boxes and sailor superstitions.
Here’s everything you need to know about this peculiarly British holiday.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day falls on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and is a public holiday in the UK. It’s an extra day off before we all trudge back to work.
But there’s more to it than just a bonus day off. Boxing Day is a National Bank Holiday, a chance to munch on your leftovers and binge-watch TV, but its actual traditions go back much further and are deeply rooted in history.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
There are numerous theories behind the name, so we’ve broken them down for you.
- The Victorians were the ones who made Boxing Day a Bank Holiday in 1871. Around the same time the tradition of giving servants time off to visit the family was growing. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants, their master would give them a box to take with them. It used to hold gifts, a bonus and sometimes leftovers.
- Sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck. If the voyage a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents then given to the poor.
- The earliest mention was in the 1830s where a ‘Christmas Box’ was the name for a Christmas present.
- It also relates to giving to the poor. Traditionally there was a box to collect money for the poor placed in Churches on Christmas day and opened the next day – Boxing Day aka St Stephen’s Day.
Traditions
Aside from lazing on the sofa, gorging on food, and catching up with family, there are a few other Boxing Day traditions. Fox hunting was a traditional Boxing Day sport until it was banned in 2004.
Shopping
A different kind of sport for Boxing Day, but just as exhausting – the sales. The sales used to kick off in January, but now they start even earlier on Boxing Day.
In Ireland, it’s known as St Stephen’s Day, named after the saint who was stoned to death for his belief in Jesus. In keeping with tradition, many Irish people participate in a custom known as Wren Boys, according to the Mirror. This involves boys dressing up and parading around town, knocking on doors to ask for money.
This ritual was originally associated with stoning wren birds to death, symbolising the fate of St Stephen. However, the actual stoning no longer takes place; instead, the boys simply dress up and parade around town collecting money for charity.
As for popular food on Boxing Day, leftovers are the go-to choice, along with baked ham.