Do you like to kick back on the sofa amidst your piled-up gifts, blanket pulled up to your chin and old movies on TV?
For some, Boxing Day, aka the first day of Twixmas, is the start of a period of pure relaxation and indulgence: time to snaffle leftovers and quaff rich fortified wines.
For others, after a busy run-up at work, there’s the countryside to get out and explore – hopefully in greater comfort wearing that new piece of outdoor gear Father Christmas brought.
For people who kicked off celebrations early, Boxing Day is the green light to take down the Christmas tree and start cleaning in preparation for the new year. For those looking even further ahead, there’s no time like it to hit the sales and stock up on next year’s festive essentials.
A lot of what we get up to on December 26th is inspired by historical Christmas traditions. And some traditions are very new. Here we dig deeper…
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is celebrated on 26th December – the day after Christmas Day. It is celebrated in Great Britain and marked by the last public holiday of the year.
Other Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, also celebrate it.
Although it was given public holiday status in England and Wales in 1871, it didn’t become a public holiday in Scotland until 1974.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
While there’s no hard and fast evidence as to the origin of the name, there are popular theories that make complete sense.
Some say that it derives from the practice of opening alms boxes the day after Christmas. These donation boxes were placed in churches to collect for impoverished people in society.
Others believe it came from the boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas. In Victorian times, servants were required to work on Christmas Day. They were given the following day off instead. Employers presented servants and tradespeople with gifts on the 26th, to thank them for their service.
The practice of giving bonuses to service employees has continued, although it now usually happens before Christmas.
What is the feast of Saint Stephen?
Saint Stephen's Day, or the Feast of Saint Stephen, takes place on 26th December and is celebrated in many countries in Central Europe, Scandinavia and Ireland.
Saint Stephen was a Christian deacon in Jerusalem and the first Christian martyr. He was known for his service to the poor and was stoned to death in AD 36.
According to an Irish legend, when St Stephen was hiding from his enemies a wren betrayed him (see below, What is Wren Day), leading to his eventual demise.
What is Wren Day?
In some places in Ireland on 26th December, people still celebrate Wren Day.
Traditionally, people would hunt a wren and place it on top of a pole decorated with holly and greenery.
Boys, known as the 'wren boys' would then parade through streets. They would sing in exchange for food, drink and gifts from families.
Those who refused the wren boys were often threatened with having the bird – which was associated with bad luck – buried on their doorstep.
This tradition was also celebrated on the Isle of Man. Today, it is growing again in popularity there.
Why do people hunt on Boxing Day?
Saint Stephen was the patron saint of horses, hence why people gather for horse racing and for fox hunting on 26th December.
The ban in 2004 on fox hunting ended the traditional hunts in England, Wales and Scotland. However, there are exemptions. People can use dogs to simulate hunting in what's called ‘drag’ or ‘trail’ hunting.
More widely, this enthusiasm for sports on Boxing Day has grown momentum.
Why do people watch sports on Boxing Day?
Communal games on Christmas Day date back to medieval times. More recently, in the Victorian era, football would play on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Often it would be the only time a working person could get to a match.
Over time, as Christmas Day becomes more family orientated, football moved to Boxing Day. The last Christmas Day-game was Blackpool versus Blackburn Rovers in 1965.
Rugby and cricket are also played on Boxing Day.
Ironically, the combat sport of boxing generally shuts down over the festive period. Although, some African Commonwealth nations, w hold professional fights.
What should I cook for Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a great time to use up all the leftovers from your Christmas dinner. Traditionally, gentry would give their staff Boxing Day off so they could observe the festive holiday.
Therefore, cold cuts and food that required little preparation were popular.
More recently, meat would shine in warming and filling game or turkey pies that reflect the season. And with our love of Indian food, so grew the popularity of turkey curry.
What should we do on Boxing Day?
Today, many of our Boxing Day activities are very modern.
After indulging on Christmas Day, many people like to get out of the house for an invigorating Boxing Day walk.
More recently, we've come to understand better the wellbeing benefits of cold water. Boxing Day sea swims are now hugely popular.
They’re a good way to meet with friends who may not be your family, and to feel cleansed and re-energised after a day of indulgence.
However, looking back, the Serpentine Swimming Club has been holding its bracing 100-yard dash in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake since 1864.
When Sunday trading laws were relaxed in the 1990s, people were able to shop on Sundays and bank holidays. Today, people love to shop on Boxing Day to take advantage of cut-price goods.
- Wild swimming in Britain: water safety and how to get started
- Best wild swimming spots for seeing wildlife
Can you take your Christmas tree down on Boxing Day?
Tradition dictates that Christmas celebrations end on the 12th day of Christmas – 5th January. However, the Epiphany lands on 6th January – 12 days after Christmas.
The 6th January marks the Epiphany, the commemoration of the baptism of Christ. It also marks the day the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem to meet baby Jesus.
However, with people decorating their homes earlier than is traditional (some as soon as Halloween is out the door), some like to clear their home early to start cleaning and preparing for the new year.
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