While most Americans may think Boxing Day has to do with some sort of pugilistic event, in Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, the day after Christmas, December 26, is known as Boxing Day or St. Stephen’s Day.
“Since servants would work on Christmas Day, they would have their own celebration the next day. So, on December 26, they were allowed to celebrate,” Canadian resident and 76ers center Todd MacCulloch said.
While there are a number of definitions as to the origins to the holiday, most sources seem to point to the tradition of the priests opening the alms (charity) boxes placed in churches and then distributing the contents of the boxes to the poor in the community.
Compton's Encyclopedia says Boxing Day is a day of gift giving, derived from the custom of giving Christmas boxes of food, clothing, and other goods to employees, tradespeople, mail carriers, lamplighters, and others who had performed services throughout the year.
The public observance of Boxing Day takes place on a Monday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Banks and most offices are closed. And now, like most holidays, it is a time to spend with family, do charitable deeds and go shopping.
“You don’t really celebrate it. You hang out with your family, eat food and go shopping,” MacCulloch said. “Now, it’s a great shopping day where everything goes on sale - Boxing Day Blowout.”
