The Origins of Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a public holiday on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. It is also known as St Stephen’s Day in some places. Boxing Day originated in Britain and is observed in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other British Commonwealth countries. In modern times the public holiday of Boxing Day is associated with shopping sprees and outdoor sports such as horse racing. However, the origins of this day, lost to most of us over time, were quite different.

How and when Boxing Day originated is not entirely clear. Whilst it is said to have started on large estates and within churches back in medieval times, the more recent concept of it started back in Victorian times. There are at least two accepted versions of how Boxing Day originated. One thing agreed on is that the custom of Boxing Day accentuated the class divisions in society as it was originally associated with the rich giving cash or gifts to those less fortunate.

The most popular story accepted of how Boxing Day began is the relationship between upper class families and their servants. A household’s servants did not get the day off to celebrate on Christmas Day, but were expected to work, getting both the house and the meal ready for Christmas celebrations. The house had to be cleaned as usual, guests greeted and dinner prepared and served.

As a reward for this, servants were given some time off on 26 December, the day after Christmas. On this day servants were given a box, which they took to their masters. Depending on the quality of their service throughout the preceding year, gifts of money were placed in the servant’s boxes.

The other widely accepted version of the origin of Boxing Day is based within the churches. It is said that on the day after Christmas the clergy distributed the takings from Christmas Day and gifts of food from the members of the parish to the poor people living within their local community.

The Boxing Day holiday has since lost its true meaning and has become more commercial. Society does not place so much emphasis on class distinctions now, therefore it is unlikely employers distribute boxes to their employees on this day. However, the concept of a holiday does probably relate back to those earlier times. The holiday of 26 December is now regarded as a chance to recover from Christmas Day, and to indulge in shopping at Boxing Day sales. It is certainly a welcome extension to the Christmas Day holiday and a chance for those not working to relax a little longer.