Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kieran Isgin & Abbie Meehan

Why December 26 is called Boxing Day, and the origins of the unique holiday name

In 2022, Boxing Day will be marked as a bank holiday between Christmas and New Years, due to both official holiday's falling on weekends this year.

Today's holiday has been official celebrated since 1871, reports Manchester Evening News. However, it is a common misconception that Boxing Day gets its name from the sport of boxing, or something to do with boxes.

This isn't entirely untrue, but nowadays the holiday is known for its bargain shopping and post-Christmas discounts in various retailers.

READ MORE - Edinburgh issued urgent yellow weather warning for ice on Boxing Day

However, this shopping craze wasn't all the rage hundreds of years ago, when the holiday originated.

In the 1800s, during the reign of Queen Victoria, Boxing Day was focused on rewarding the poorer people of society in the UK.

At the time, the tradition dictated that servants could have the day off their work - which was an extremely rare occurrence in those days.

Masters of these servants would also delve out hand-selected presents as a way of showing their gratitude for their hard work. These presents were referred to as 'Christmas boxes' - which led to the day eventually being known as 'Boxing Day'.

This tradition on Boxing Day became more widespread in the UK thanks to the Church. They would collect money from worshippers, and donate it to the poor during the festive season.

Coincidentally enough, the money would be stored in a box, further adding to the Boxing Day moniker.

While much of this tradition took place centuries ago, the charitable aspect of Boxing Day is still very much alive today. Many people leave extra money for postmen or other domestic workers as an expression of thanks.

Now, many countries that used to form the British Empire celebrate Boxing Day too. These include Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore, South Africa, and Bermuda.

However, Boxing Day in these places is marked as a shopping event like Black Friday, and is noted as the day when sales kick-off.

READ MORE:

Marks & Spencer shoppers hail £17 Christmas jumper rivalling expensive cashmere

Edinburgh chef issues advice on correct way to cook Christmas dinner in an air fryer

Chef issues Christmas dinner prep checklist advice to save time on the big day

Martin Lewis urges Boots shoppers to get £433-worth of Christmas presents for just £140

Edinburgh weather forecast and likelihood of snow this weekend for Christmas

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.