Christmas is approaching, and along with it comes a myriad of inquiries from the younger members of the family, such as “Why is December 26 referred to as Boxing Day?”
Older relatives might inquire whether Boxing Day is recognized as a public holiday in your region or which stores will be operational for the post-Christmas sales on that day.
Here are the answers to all your Boxing Day questions.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in Australia?
Indeed, Boxing Day is among the seven national public holidays. The remaining six are New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day.
If Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday or Tuesday.
What is Boxing Day and why is it celebrated in Australia?
Boxing Day is a popular international holiday that falls on the day after Christmas Day (December 26) and was traditionally when tradespeople, servants and the poor were presented with gifts.
These days, Boxing Day is more widely associated with shopping, end of year sales and sporting events.
The holiday appears to have originated in the United Kingdom and was brought to Australia when British colonisers arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
The origins of the name Boxing Day have been debated for centuries and to this day, no one can agree on the answer because the tradition simply goes back too far.
One common theory is that the ‘box’ in the name is a reference to church alms boxes where donations for the poor were collected.
As Boxing Day was traditionally a day dedicated to giving to the poor and those in need, the connection makes sense.
Another theory is that the name was a nod to the tradition of employers giving employees and tradespeople boxes of gifts on the day after Christmas, as they were typically expected to work on Christmas Day.
Neighbours put up sign in response to Christmas lights next door
When did Boxing Day start?
The tradition dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, although it’s unclear when it officially became known as Boxing Day.
Is Boxing Day celebrated around the world?
Because of its origins in the UK, Boxing Day is primarily celebrated in Commonwealth countries, including Australia.
Other nations that observe the holiday include Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Nigeria, the Caribbean Islands, and more.
Boxing Day trading hours vary from retailer to retailer, with many remaining closed or only operating for limited hours on December 26.
