What Is Boxing Day? What To Do On Boxing Day?

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However, Boxing Day is not even close to that situation. In fact, Boxing Day London is the celebration after Christmas (December 26) where locals and tourists spending their Christmas holiday in the England give out presents wrapped in boxes, hence, the name Boxing Day.

Well, there’s no need to worry because the name is a bit misleading.

Now, there are different stories regarding the history of Boxing Day. Although nobody really knew when, where, and why Boxing Day started, there are a lot of stories about it that would best describe how this event began.

One popular story about the origin of Boxing Day can be heard from the Christmas carol called, “Good King Wenceslas.”

According to the carol, Wenceslas, the Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century saw a poor man gathering woods in the middle of the storm as he was surveying his land on St. Stephen’s Day (December 26). Moved by what he saw, the King gathered up all surplus food and wine he has and brought it to the peasant’s house despite the blizzard.

There are also speculations that the Church of England might have started observing Boxing Day. This is because during advent, Anglican Parishes put up boxes where churchgoers can place their donations. These boxes are then opened after Christmas Day where its contents are distributed among the poor.

Another possible story about Boxing Day’s history is that aristocracy distributes presents or boxes to servants and employees as a tradition. What happens is when the servants return home, they open their boxes and experience Christmas day all over again when they see the gifts given to them. This practice became known as the Boxing Day.

Despite all those theories regarding how Boxing Day originated, British people nowadays do not see this day as a time for charity giving. Instead, part of what to do on Boxing Day includes eating leftovers from Christmas Day, drink, and watch TV. They also visit some friends and spend the entire day partying in pubs.

Meanwhile, Boxing Day shopping is also a popular tradition. As a matter of fact, England and Canada’s Boxing Day used to be a major shopping event in the 1980s. Today, shopping mall sales start early and Boxing Day is considered as that time of year where sales and revenues are dramatically high.

Today, Boxing Day has become an extended Christmas afternoon where people just relax and enjoy the remaining days of the holiday season.