Boxing Day falls just after Christmas every year and is celebrated in many countries. But why do we celebrate Boxing Day?
Scroll down to learn more about this.

In which countries is Boxing Day celebrated?

According to Almanac.com, Boxing Day is celebrated in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and other Commonwealth countries. All the offices are closed in these countries as it is a national holiday there on this day. Boxing Day is not celebrated in the United States. Boxing Day is not celebrated in the United States.

Origins of Boxing Day

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Boxing Day has its origins in Britain where it was considered to be a gift-giving day, and tradespeople and servants used to be presented with gifts in the form of Christmas boxes, which usually contained money or goods in return for their service.

However, another story says that churches used to open their donation boxes for the needy just the day after Christmas.

Boxing Day in Ireland

According to Almanac.com, in Ireland, Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephan’s Day, named after a missionary saint in Sweden who was fond of animals, especially horses. The organization Habitat for Horses says that in many countries, for hundreds of years, people have taken their houses to the church on December 26th (the day just after Christmas) to be blessed.

Boxing Day Today

According to Almanac.com, Boxing Day today closely resembles “Black Friday” since it is now connected to shopping and athletic activities, particularly those involving horses (see “Boxing Day in Ireland” above). A well-known holiday athletic event, despite its name, does NOT involve boxing!

Boxing Day is related to Charity and giving to those who are in need.