Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on December 26 in several countries, mostly in the Commonwealth. It originated in the United Kingdom and has a long and disputed history. Some say it was named after the boxes of donations that were collected in churches and distributed to the poor on the day after Christmas.

Others say it was named after the boxes of gifts or tips that were given to servants, tradespeople, and employees by their employers or customers. Whatever the origin, Boxing Day is now a day of giving, shopping, and hunting in different parts of the world.

Why is it called Boxing Day?

The name Boxing Day comes from a time when rich people used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Traditionally a day off for servants, these boxes would often contain money to thank people for their hard work. They would then go home on Boxing Day and share these boxes with their families.

Another possible explanation is that the name comes from the alms boxes that were placed in churches during the Advent season for the collection of monetary donations from parishioners. Clergy members distributed the contents of the boxes to the poor on December 26, which is also the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr and a figure known for acts of charity.

The term Boxing Day is of British origin, and the Oxford English Dictionary traces its earliest print attribution to 1833, four years before Charles Dickens referred to it in “The Pickwick Papers”

Boxing Day in the United States

The United States does not officially celebrate Boxing Day, but some states have adopted it as a public holiday. These include Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. However, most Americans are unaware of the meaning or traditions of Boxing Day. Some may confuse it with the sport of boxing or the act of returning unwanted gifts. In fact, Boxing Day has nothing to do with either of these things.

One of the reasons why Boxing Day is not popular in the United States is that it coincides with another holiday: Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. It was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies, as a way of affirming the identity and values of the black community. Kwanzaa is based on seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each day, a candle is lit on a special holder called a kinara, and a principle is discussed and celebrated.

Another reason why Boxing Day is not widely celebrated in the United States is that it falls right after Christmas, which is already a major holiday with its own traditions and customs. Americans tend to spend Christmas Day with their families, exchanging gifts, eating festive meals, and attending religious services. The day after Christmas is usually a day of rest and recovery, or a day of taking advantage of post-Christmas sales and discounts. Some Americans may also travel to visit relatives or friends during the holiday season, making Boxing Day less relevant or convenient.

Boxing Day in Germany

Germany is one of the European countries that observes Boxing Day as a public holiday. However, it is not called Boxing Day, but rather the Second Christmas Day, or Zweiter Weihnachtstag. It is also known as Saint Stephen’s Day, or Stephanstag, in honor of the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his faith. On this day, Germans continue to celebrate Christmas with their families, friends, or neighbors. They may also attend church services, visit Christmas markets, or enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing or sledding.

One of the traditions that is unique to Germany on Boxing Day is the Wren Hunt, or Wrennacht. This is a ritual that dates back to pre-Christian times, when the wren was considered a sacred bird that represented the old year. On Boxing Day, young men would hunt and kill a wren, and then parade it around the village on a pole, singing songs and collecting money or gifts. The wren was then buried or burned, symbolizing the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.

Today, the Wren Hunt is mostly a symbolic and playful event, and no real wrens are harmed. Instead, a fake wren is used, or a different bird, such as a crow or a sparrow. The Wren Hunt is especially popular in rural areas of Germany, where it is seen as a way of preserving the ancient folklore and customs.

Boxing Day in India

India is another Commonwealth country that celebrates Boxing Day as a public holiday. However, it is not widely observed or recognized by most Indians, as it is overshadowed by other religious and cultural festivals that take place around the same time. For example, Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of Sikhism, on December 26.

Hindus celebrate the festival of Dhanurmas, which marks the beginning of the auspicious month of Margashirsha, on December 26. Muslims celebrate the festival of Mawlid, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, on December 26.

For those who do celebrate Boxing Day in India, it is mainly a day of giving and receiving gifts, especially among the Christian minority. Some Christians may also attend church services, visit orphanages or old-age homes, or volunteer for charitable causes. Boxing Day is also a day of shopping and entertainment, as many stores, malls, cinemas, and restaurants offer special deals and discounts.

Some Indians may also enjoy watching or playing cricket, which is a popular sport in India and other Commonwealth countries. In fact, Boxing Day is one of the main days in the cricket calendar, with many international matches taking place on this day.

Controversies and Hidden Facts

Boxing Day may seem like a harmless and festive holiday, but it also has its share of controversies and hidden facts. Here are some of them:

• Boxing Day is one of the main days in the hunting calendar for hunts in the UK and some other countries, such as Canada and Australia. On this day, many people participate in or watch fox hunting, which involves chasing and killing a fox with a pack of hounds and a group of riders. Fox hunting is a controversial and divisive practice, as many animal rights activists and groups oppose it and want to see it banned. They argue that fox hunting is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated, and that it causes suffering and death to the foxes and the hounds. Supporters of fox hunting, on the other hand, claim that it is a tradition, a sport, and a way of controlling the fox population and protecting livestock. Fox hunting is illegal in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but it is still legal in England under certain conditions.
• Boxing Day is also a day of protest and activism for many people around the world, who use it as an opportunity to raise awareness and demand action on various social and environmental issues. For example, in 2004, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, killing over 200,000 people and displacing millions more. The disaster occurred on Boxing Day, and since then, many people have used the date to remember the victims and survivors, and to call for more aid and support for the affected regions. In 2019, thousands of people in Hong Kong took to the streets on Boxing Day to protest against the government and the police, and to demand more democracy and human rights. The protests were part of a larger movement that started in June 2019 and lasted for months, with violent clashes and arrests.
• Boxing Day has some interesting and surprising facts that are not widely known or publicized. For example, did you know that Boxing Day is also National Candy Cane Day in the United States? Or that on Boxing Day in 1973, the horror movie The Exorcist was released, becoming one of the most successful and influential films of all time? Or that on Boxing Day in 2006, former US president Gerald Ford died at his home in California, making him the only president to die on this date?