«Christmas box» redirects here. For the genus of shrubs, see Sarcococca.
| Boxing Day | |
|---|---|
Boxing Day crowds shopping at Toronto’s Eaton Centre. |
|
| Also called | Offering Day[1] |
| Observed by | Commonwealth nations |
| Type | Bank holiday, public holiday |
| Date | 26 December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
|
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December).[1] Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to poor people, today Boxing Day forms part of Christmas celebrations, with many people choosing to take advantage of Boxing Day sales. It originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in several countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on 28 December if necessary to ensure it falls on a weekday. Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Christian festival Saint Stephen’s Day.
In parts of Europe, such as several regions of Spain,[2][3] the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia,[4] Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and Ireland, 26 December is Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered the second day of Christmas.[5]
Etymology[edit]
There are competing theories for the origins of the term, none of which is definitive.[6]
The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need, or in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown; it may reference the alms box placed in the narthex of Christian churches to collect donations for the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era wherein alms boxes placed in churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen,[7] which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide. On this day, it is customary in some localities for the alms boxes to be opened and distributed to the poor.[1][8]
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestation from Britain in 1743, defining it as «the day after Christmas day», and saying «traditionally on this day tradespeople, employees, etc., would receive presents or gratuities (a «Christmas box») from their customers or employers.»[9]
The term «Christmas box»[10] dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:
A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.
In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect «Christmas boxes» of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.[11] This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys’ diary entry for 19 December 1663.[12] This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century, there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors, although not on Boxing Day, as many would not work on that day.[13]
In South Africa, vendors who normally have little interaction with those they serve are accustomed to knocking on the customers’ doors to ask for a «Christmas box», being a small cash donation, in the weeks before or after Christmas. This practice has become controversial, and some municipalities ban staff from asking for Christmas boxes.[14]
Date[edit]
Saint Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday, also falls on 26th December.[15][16]
Unlike the contemporary understanding of Boxing Day itself, the bank holiday or public holiday associated with the observance always falls on a weekday. Where 25 December falls on a Saturday and 26 December falls on a Sunday, the Christmas Day substitute holiday always takes place on Monday 27 December, while the Boxing Day substitute holiday always takes place on Tuesday 28 December. When Christmas Day is a Sunday, the Boxing Day holiday is still on the 26th, while Tuesday 27 December is the substitute holiday for Christmas Day.[17]
Status by country[edit]
In Australia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in all jurisdictions except the state of South Australia, where a public holiday known as Proclamation Day is celebrated on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.[18] Both the Boxing Day Test cricket match held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begin on Boxing Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day (French: le Lendemain de Noël) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks, and postal services are closed. In Ontario, and other Canadian provinces, it is a provincial statutory holiday.
In Hong Kong, despite the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997, Boxing Day is a general holiday as the first weekday after Christmas.[19][20]
In Ireland, when the entire island was part of the United Kingdom, the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of Saint Stephen as a non-moveable public holiday on 26 December.[21] Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day. In County Donegal, particularly in East Donegal and Inishowen, the day is also popularly known as Boxing Day.[22][23][24]
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday. On these holidays, people who must work receive 1+1⁄2 times their salaries, and a day in lieu is provided to employees who work.[25]
In Nigeria, Boxing Day is a public holiday for working people and students. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is always a holiday on Monday.[26]
In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by royal proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.[27][28]
In Singapore, Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students; when it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday. However, Boxing Day is no longer a public holiday.[29]
In South Africa, 26 December is the Day of Goodwill, a public holiday.[30]
In Trinidad and Tobago, Boxing Day is a public holiday.[31]
In the UK outside Scotland, 26 December (unless it is a Sunday) has been a bank holiday since 1871. When 26 December falls on a Saturday, the associated public holiday is on the following Monday. When 26 December falls on a Sunday, the public holiday is the following Tuesday, Monday being the public holiday associated with Christmas Day. The same practice is observed in Canada.[32]
In the British overseas territory of Bermuda, the costumed Gombey dancers perform throughout the mid-Atlantic island on Boxing Day, a tradition believed to date back to the 18th century when slaves were permitted to gather at Christmastime.[33]
In Massachusetts, US, Governor William F. Weld declared in 1996 that every 26 December is Boxing Day, in response to the efforts of a coalition of British citizens to «transport the English tradition to the United States»,[34] but not an employee holiday.[35]
Shopping[edit]
In the United Kingdom,[36] Canada,[37] Australia,[38] Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand,[39] Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday. Boxing Day sales are common and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In the UK, it was estimated in 2009 that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales (a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008, although this was also affected by the fact that the VAT was about to revert to 17.5% from 1 January, following the temporary reduction to 15%).[40]
Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.[37] Many stores have a limited quantity of big draw or deeply discounted items.[41] Because of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, many choose to stay at home and avoid the hectic shopping experience. Local media often covers the event, mentioning how early the shoppers began queuing up and showing videos of shoppers queuing and later leaving with their purchased items.[42] Many retailers have implemented practices aimed at managing large numbers of shoppers. They may limit entrances, restrict the number of patrons in a store at a time, provide tickets to people at the head of the queue to guarantee them a hot ticket item, or canvass queued-up shoppers to inform them of inventory limitations.[41]
In some areas of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or by informal agreement among major retailers, to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day. In these areas, sales otherwise scheduled for 26 December are moved to the 27th.[43][44] The city council of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, which was the largest city in Canada to maintain this restriction as of the early 2010s, formally repealed its store hours bylaw on 9 December 2014.[45]
While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve, branding it as «Boxing Week». Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers held early promotions due to a weak economy.[46] In 2009, many retailers with both online and High Street stores launched their online sales on Christmas Eve and their High Street sales on Boxing Day.[47][48]
Comparisons to Black Friday[edit]
In terms of seasonal or holiday shopping traditions, Boxing Day sales have been compared to the U.S. phenomenon of Black Friday sales – Black Friday being the Friday following the American Thanksgiving holiday in late November. In the late 2000s, when the Canadian and United States dollars were near parity, Canadian retailers began to hold Black Friday promotions to attract consumers who would otherwise travel across the border to visit United States stores. This may have been a contributory factor, since 2013, in a relative decline of traditional Canadian Boxing Day sales, when compared to sales on Black Friday.[49]
The traditional Boxing Day sales in the United Kingdom were never as large an event as the Black Friday sales are in the United States. However, many British retailers began to see an opportunity to import the Black Friday tradition into the UK, not to replace Boxing Day sales, but as an addition to their overall seasonal promotions. However, Black Friday and Boxing Day are close enough together that spending on one sale was likely to affect spending on the other. Ultimately, the result was a marked decline in traditional Boxing Day sales in the UK. The change was initially facilitated, although not necessarily by design, by the fact that many retailers had American ownership, such as Amazon. This phenomenon was furthered by a general decline in traditional high-street shopping, and a growing online marketplace, which is more internationalist by nature. This led, in 2015, to November retail sales in the UK overtaking sales in December for the first time.[50][51] In 2019, a retail analysis firm estimated that there was a 9.8% drop in British store traffic on Boxing Day in comparison to 2018 (the largest year-over-year drop since 2010), citing several factors, such as the weather, the increased prominence of online shopping, uncertainties in the wake of the general election, and the growing prominence of Black Friday sales.[52]
Boxing Day sales are not a prominent tradition in the United States, although many retailers often begin after-Christmas sales that day. It is typically the earliest starting day after Christmas for people to return unwanted gifts for exchanges or refunds, and to redeem gift cards.[53]
Sport[edit]
Boxing Day Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962
In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for all top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, and the NIFL Premiership – and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football matches on Boxing Day. Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day. Before the formation of leagues, several traditional rugby union fixtures took place on Boxing Day each year, notably Llanelli v London Welsh and Leicester v The Barbarians.[citation needed] The 2022 Premier League Boxing Day fixtures see the return to domestic top flight football for the 2022-23 Premier League season, following the six-week break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[54]
In Italy, Boxing Day football was played for the first time in the 2018/19 Serie A season. The experiment was successful, with Italian stadiums 69% full on average – more than any other match day in December 2018.[55]
In rugby league, festive fixtures were a staple of the traditional winter season. Since the transition to a summer season in the 1990s, no formal fixtures are now arranged on Boxing Day but some clubs, such as Wakefield Trinity, arrange a traditional local derby friendly fixture instead.
In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Test cricket matches are played on Boxing Day. For more details see Boxing Day Test.[56]
In Australia, the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is on Boxing Day.[57]
In horse racing, there is the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is the second most prestigious chase in Britain, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In addition to the prestigious race at Kempton, in Britain, it is usually the day with the highest number of racing meetings of the year, with eight in 2016, in addition to three more in Ireland.[58] In Barbados, the final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO world heritage site. This tradition has been going on for decades in this former British colony.
Boxing Day is one of the main days in the hunting calendar for hunts in the UK and US, with most hunts (both mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets) holding meets, often in town or village centres.[59]
Several ice hockey contests are associated with the day. The IIHF World Junior Championship typically begins on 26 December, while the Spengler Cup also begins on 23 December in Davos, Switzerland; the Spengler Cup competition includes HC Davos, Team Canada, and other top European Hockey teams. The National Hockey League traditionally had close to a full slate of games (10 were played in 2011[60]), following the league-wide days off given for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, the 2013 collective bargaining agreement (which followed a lock-out) extended the league mandate of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off to include Boxing Day, except when it falls on a Saturday, in which case the league can choose to make 23 December a league-wide off day instead for that year.[61]
In some African Commonwealth nations, particularly Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, professional boxing contests are held on Boxing Day. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.[62]
A notable tradition in Sweden is Annandagsbandy, which formerly marked the start of the bandy season and always draws large crowds. Games traditionally begin at 1:15 pm.[63]
Boxing Day Tsunami[edit]
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred the day after Christmas, and therefore has been referred to as «the Boxing Day Tsunami».[64]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Robb, Nancy (1984). Mid-winter festivals: anthology of stories, traditions, and poems. S.E. Clapp. p. 27.
St. Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day: Boxing Day, or Offering Day as it is sometimes called, derives its name from the ancient practice of giving boxes of money at the midwinter holiday season to all those who had given good service throughout the year. Boxing Day, December 26, was the day the boxes were opened. Later, it was the day on which the alms boxes, located in the churches on Christmas Day, were opened and the contents given to the poor.
- ^ «St. Stephens day, millenary explanations of a festivity». www.vilaweb.cat (in Catalan). Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ «Esteve (sant)». Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana (in Catalan). Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. 1987. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ «Druhý sviatok vianočný je aj dňom návštev» [The second day of Christmas is also the day of visits]. SME / MY Zvolen (in Slovak). 26 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Brown, Cameron (2006). Christmas Facts, Figures & Fun: Facts, Figures and Fun. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-904332-27-5.
- ^ «snopes.com: Boxing Day Origins». Snopes.com. 7 November 2000.
- ^ Collins, 2003, p. 38.
- ^ Faust, Jessica; Sach, Jacky (2002). The Book of Christmas. Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-2368-2.
Yet another legend is that Boxing Day started the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches during the Christmas season. The contents of the alms boxes were then distributed amongst the poor of the parish.
- ^ «Boxing Day». Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ «Christmas box». Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 1953 «Boxing day»
- ^ «Saturday 19 December 1663 (Pepys’ Diary)». Pepysdiary.com. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ «Boxing Day and it’s surprising facts». shoppersinusa. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ «Christmas box requests by City’s waste management staff prohibited | Cape Argus». www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ «Boxing Day». American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
- ^ «Radio 4 Christmas 2004 highlights» (Press release). BBC Press Office. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ «UK bank holidays». GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ «Public holidays». SafeWork SA. Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ «General holidays for 2007 – 2021». GovHK. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ «Labour Department — Frequently Asked Questions». www.labour.gov.hk. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ «History of Bank & Public Holidays». Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
- ^ Boxing Day tragedy in Donegal as man dies in crash (Donegal News, 26 December 2019). https://donegalnews.com/2019/12/boxing-day-tragedy-in-donegal-as-man-dies-in-crash
- ^ Donegal couple devastated after losing home in Boxing Day fire (Donegal Daily, 29 December 2017). https://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/12/29/donegal-couple-devastated-after-losing-home-in-boxing-day-fire/
- ^ «Boxing Day/St. Stephen’s Day — Which is more common in Donegal?». boards.ie. 24 December 2009.
- ^ «Working on public holidays». New Zealand Government. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «Holidays in Nigeria in 2017». Time and Date. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ «BY THE QUEEN — A PROCLAMATION — APPOINTING THURSDAY, 26TH DECEMBER 1974 A BANK HOLIDAY IN SCOTLAND …» The London Gazette. No. 46377. 18 October 1974. p. 9343.
- ^ «Public and bank holidays». mygov.scot. Retrieved 28 December 2022. Lists past and upcoming bank holidays, frequently updated.
- ^ «Holidays Act (Chapter 126)». Singapore Statutes Online. 30 December 1999. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ «Public holidays in South Africa». South African Government. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ «Public Holidays». Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ «Year Planner Calendar; 2010». hraconsulting-ltd.co.uk. 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ Johnston-Barnes, Owain. Gombeys dance on Boxing Day, The Royal Gazette (26 December 2017). Accessed 27 December 2017.
- ^ «Massachusetts celebrates Boxing Day», Associated Press, Sun-Journal, Lewiston, Maine, 26 December 1996.
- ^ «Massachusetts Federal and State Holidays 2017». Public Holidays Global Pty Ltd. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Terry Kirby (27 December 2006). «Boxing Day sales soar as shoppers flock to malls». The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ a b CTV.ca News Staff (26 December 2005). «Boxing Day expected to rake in $1.8 billion». Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ «Boxing Day sales to top $2bn: retailers». Special Broadcasting Service. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ^ «Boxing Day still big for bargain hunters despite pre-christmas retail sales». Stuff. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ «Boxing Day sales attract ‘record’ number of shoppers». BBC News. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b Ashleigh Patterson (25 December 2007). «How to become a Boxing Day shopping pro». Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ toronto.ctv.ca (26 December 2007). «Boxing Day begins with early rush of bargain hunters». Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ soonews.ca (22 December 2007). «Boxing Day, The Debate Continues». Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- ^ «Boxing Day madness: shoppers descend on stores looking for deals». CP24. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ «Council repeals Sudbury’s store hours bylaw». Sudbury Star, 10 December 2014.
- ^ CTV.ca News Staff (21 December 2008). «Boxing Day comes early as shoppers search for deals». Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ IMRG (22 December 2009). «Many retailers’ sales to start on Christmas Eve». Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ Telegraph (22 December 2009). «Boxing Day sales start on Christmas Eve». The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ Shaw, Hollie (23 November 2016). «Inside the shopping extravaganza that Black Friday has become in Canada». Financial Post. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Jones, Lora (21 November 2018). «Have eight years of Black Friday changed the UK?». BBC News. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Ruddick, Graham (26 November 2015). «What is Black Friday and who’s to blame for it?». The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Wood, Zoe (26 December 2019). «Boxing Day sales dip blamed on poor weather and Black Friday». The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ McCamish, Bethany (29 March 2021). «What Is The Best Shopping Day After Christmas? We’ve Got The Answer». The Money Manual. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ «How the 2022 World Cup will affect the 2022/23 Premier League season». talkSPORT. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ «Italy’s Boxing Day». Sporvision.com.
- ^ Qaiser, S Pervez (25 December 2017). «Boxing Day Test: Grand year-end event with rich cricket history». Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «About the Race». Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «Racecards – 26th December 2016». Racing Post.
- ^ «Hundreds of thousands turn out for Boxing Day hunts». The Daily Telegraph. London. 26 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ «NHL Hockey Schedule for December 26, 2011». Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ «National Hockey League CBA» (PDF). National Hockey League. p. 101—not digital page 101 but the printed 101. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ Millman, Joel (28 December 2009). «Season’s Beatings: ‘Boxing Day’ Takes a Pugilistic Turn». The Wall Street Journal (Asia ed.). Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Rosqvist, Berndt (22 December 2003). «Festligt och fullsatt på stora bandydagen» [Festive and packed with great bandy day]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ Special Report: Boxing Day Tsunami Anniversary (45‘ video). Sky News. 21 December 2014 – via YouTube.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boxing Day.
- The Origins of Boxing Day at Snopes
«Christmas box» redirects here. For the genus of shrubs, see Sarcococca.
| Boxing Day | |
|---|---|
|
Boxing Day crowds shopping at Toronto’s Eaton Centre. |
|
| Also called | Offering Day[1] |
| Observed by | Commonwealth nations |
| Type | Bank holiday, public holiday |
| Date | 26 December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
|
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December).[1] Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to poor people, today Boxing Day forms part of Christmas celebrations, with many people choosing to take advantage of Boxing Day sales. It originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in several countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on 28 December if necessary to ensure it falls on a weekday. Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Christian festival Saint Stephen’s Day.
In parts of Europe, such as several regions of Spain,[2][3] the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia,[4] Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and Ireland, 26 December is Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered the second day of Christmas.[5]
Etymology[edit]
There are competing theories for the origins of the term, none of which is definitive.[6]
The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need, or in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown; it may reference the alms box placed in the narthex of Christian churches to collect donations for the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era wherein alms boxes placed in churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen,[7] which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide. On this day, it is customary in some localities for the alms boxes to be opened and distributed to the poor.[1][8]
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestation from Britain in 1743, defining it as «the day after Christmas day», and saying «traditionally on this day tradespeople, employees, etc., would receive presents or gratuities (a «Christmas box») from their customers or employers.»[9]
The term «Christmas box»[10] dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:
A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.
In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect «Christmas boxes» of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.[11] This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys’ diary entry for 19 December 1663.[12] This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century, there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors, although not on Boxing Day, as many would not work on that day.[13]
In South Africa, vendors who normally have little interaction with those they serve are accustomed to knocking on the customers’ doors to ask for a «Christmas box», being a small cash donation, in the weeks before or after Christmas. This practice has become controversial, and some municipalities ban staff from asking for Christmas boxes.[14]
Date[edit]
Saint Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday, also falls on 26th December.[15][16]
Unlike the contemporary understanding of Boxing Day itself, the bank holiday or public holiday associated with the observance always falls on a weekday. Where 25 December falls on a Saturday and 26 December falls on a Sunday, the Christmas Day substitute holiday always takes place on Monday 27 December, while the Boxing Day substitute holiday always takes place on Tuesday 28 December. When Christmas Day is a Sunday, the Boxing Day holiday is still on the 26th, while Tuesday 27 December is the substitute holiday for Christmas Day.[17]
Status by country[edit]
In Australia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in all jurisdictions except the state of South Australia, where a public holiday known as Proclamation Day is celebrated on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.[18] Both the Boxing Day Test cricket match held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begin on Boxing Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day (French: le Lendemain de Noël) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks, and postal services are closed. In Ontario, and other Canadian provinces, it is a provincial statutory holiday.
In Hong Kong, despite the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997, Boxing Day is a general holiday as the first weekday after Christmas.[19][20]
In Ireland, when the entire island was part of the United Kingdom, the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of Saint Stephen as a non-moveable public holiday on 26 December.[21] Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day. In County Donegal, particularly in East Donegal and Inishowen, the day is also popularly known as Boxing Day.[22][23][24]
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday. On these holidays, people who must work receive 1+1⁄2 times their salaries, and a day in lieu is provided to employees who work.[25]
In Nigeria, Boxing Day is a public holiday for working people and students. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is always a holiday on Monday.[26]
In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by royal proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.[27][28]
In Singapore, Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students; when it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday. However, Boxing Day is no longer a public holiday.[29]
In South Africa, 26 December is the Day of Goodwill, a public holiday.[30]
In Trinidad and Tobago, Boxing Day is a public holiday.[31]
In the UK outside Scotland, 26 December (unless it is a Sunday) has been a bank holiday since 1871. When 26 December falls on a Saturday, the associated public holiday is on the following Monday. When 26 December falls on a Sunday, the public holiday is the following Tuesday, Monday being the public holiday associated with Christmas Day. The same practice is observed in Canada.[32]
In the British overseas territory of Bermuda, the costumed Gombey dancers perform throughout the mid-Atlantic island on Boxing Day, a tradition believed to date back to the 18th century when slaves were permitted to gather at Christmastime.[33]
In Massachusetts, US, Governor William F. Weld declared in 1996 that every 26 December is Boxing Day, in response to the efforts of a coalition of British citizens to «transport the English tradition to the United States»,[34] but not an employee holiday.[35]
Shopping[edit]
In the United Kingdom,[36] Canada,[37] Australia,[38] Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand,[39] Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday. Boxing Day sales are common and shops often allow dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest revenue. In the UK, it was estimated in 2009 that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales (a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008, although this was also affected by the fact that the VAT was about to revert to 17.5% from 1 January, following the temporary reduction to 15%).[40]
Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.[37] Many stores have a limited quantity of big draw or deeply discounted items.[41] Because of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, many choose to stay at home and avoid the hectic shopping experience. Local media often covers the event, mentioning how early the shoppers began queuing up and showing videos of shoppers queuing and later leaving with their purchased items.[42] Many retailers have implemented practices aimed at managing large numbers of shoppers. They may limit entrances, restrict the number of patrons in a store at a time, provide tickets to people at the head of the queue to guarantee them a hot ticket item, or canvass queued-up shoppers to inform them of inventory limitations.[41]
In some areas of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or by informal agreement among major retailers, to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day. In these areas, sales otherwise scheduled for 26 December are moved to the 27th.[43][44] The city council of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, which was the largest city in Canada to maintain this restriction as of the early 2010s, formally repealed its store hours bylaw on 9 December 2014.[45]
While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve, branding it as «Boxing Week». Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers held early promotions due to a weak economy.[46] In 2009, many retailers with both online and High Street stores launched their online sales on Christmas Eve and their High Street sales on Boxing Day.[47][48]
Comparisons to Black Friday[edit]
In terms of seasonal or holiday shopping traditions, Boxing Day sales have been compared to the U.S. phenomenon of Black Friday sales – Black Friday being the Friday following the American Thanksgiving holiday in late November. In the late 2000s, when the Canadian and United States dollars were near parity, Canadian retailers began to hold Black Friday promotions to attract consumers who would otherwise travel across the border to visit United States stores. This may have been a contributory factor, since 2013, in a relative decline of traditional Canadian Boxing Day sales, when compared to sales on Black Friday.[49]
The traditional Boxing Day sales in the United Kingdom were never as large an event as the Black Friday sales are in the United States. However, many British retailers began to see an opportunity to import the Black Friday tradition into the UK, not to replace Boxing Day sales, but as an addition to their overall seasonal promotions. However, Black Friday and Boxing Day are close enough together that spending on one sale was likely to affect spending on the other. Ultimately, the result was a marked decline in traditional Boxing Day sales in the UK. The change was initially facilitated, although not necessarily by design, by the fact that many retailers had American ownership, such as Amazon. This phenomenon was furthered by a general decline in traditional high-street shopping, and a growing online marketplace, which is more internationalist by nature. This led, in 2015, to November retail sales in the UK overtaking sales in December for the first time.[50][51] In 2019, a retail analysis firm estimated that there was a 9.8% drop in British store traffic on Boxing Day in comparison to 2018 (the largest year-over-year drop since 2010), citing several factors, such as the weather, the increased prominence of online shopping, uncertainties in the wake of the general election, and the growing prominence of Black Friday sales.[52]
Boxing Day sales are not a prominent tradition in the United States, although many retailers often begin after-Christmas sales that day. It is typically the earliest starting day after Christmas for people to return unwanted gifts for exchanges or refunds, and to redeem gift cards.[53]
Sport[edit]
Boxing Day Meet of the Blencathra Foxhounds in Keswick, 1962
In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for all top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, and the NIFL Premiership – and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football matches on Boxing Day. Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day. Before the formation of leagues, several traditional rugby union fixtures took place on Boxing Day each year, notably Llanelli v London Welsh and Leicester v The Barbarians.[citation needed] The 2022 Premier League Boxing Day fixtures see the return to domestic top flight football for the 2022-23 Premier League season, following the six-week break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[54]
In Italy, Boxing Day football was played for the first time in the 2018/19 Serie A season. The experiment was successful, with Italian stadiums 69% full on average – more than any other match day in December 2018.[55]
In rugby league, festive fixtures were a staple of the traditional winter season. Since the transition to a summer season in the 1990s, no formal fixtures are now arranged on Boxing Day but some clubs, such as Wakefield Trinity, arrange a traditional local derby friendly fixture instead.
In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Test cricket matches are played on Boxing Day. For more details see Boxing Day Test.[56]
In Australia, the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is on Boxing Day.[57]
In horse racing, there is the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is the second most prestigious chase in Britain, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In addition to the prestigious race at Kempton, in Britain, it is usually the day with the highest number of racing meetings of the year, with eight in 2016, in addition to three more in Ireland.[58] In Barbados, the final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO world heritage site. This tradition has been going on for decades in this former British colony.
Boxing Day is one of the main days in the hunting calendar for hunts in the UK and US, with most hunts (both mounted foxhound or harrier packs and foot packs of beagles or bassets) holding meets, often in town or village centres.[59]
Several ice hockey contests are associated with the day. The IIHF World Junior Championship typically begins on 26 December, while the Spengler Cup also begins on 23 December in Davos, Switzerland; the Spengler Cup competition includes HC Davos, Team Canada, and other top European Hockey teams. The National Hockey League traditionally had close to a full slate of games (10 were played in 2011[60]), following the league-wide days off given for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, the 2013 collective bargaining agreement (which followed a lock-out) extended the league mandate of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off to include Boxing Day, except when it falls on a Saturday, in which case the league can choose to make 23 December a league-wide off day instead for that year.[61]
In some African Commonwealth nations, particularly Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, professional boxing contests are held on Boxing Day. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.[62]
A notable tradition in Sweden is Annandagsbandy, which formerly marked the start of the bandy season and always draws large crowds. Games traditionally begin at 1:15 pm.[63]
Boxing Day Tsunami[edit]
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred the day after Christmas, and therefore has been referred to as «the Boxing Day Tsunami».[64]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Robb, Nancy (1984). Mid-winter festivals: anthology of stories, traditions, and poems. S.E. Clapp. p. 27.
St. Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day: Boxing Day, or Offering Day as it is sometimes called, derives its name from the ancient practice of giving boxes of money at the midwinter holiday season to all those who had given good service throughout the year. Boxing Day, December 26, was the day the boxes were opened. Later, it was the day on which the alms boxes, located in the churches on Christmas Day, were opened and the contents given to the poor.
- ^ «St. Stephens day, millenary explanations of a festivity». www.vilaweb.cat (in Catalan). Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ «Esteve (sant)». Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana (in Catalan). Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. 1987. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ «Druhý sviatok vianočný je aj dňom návštev» [The second day of Christmas is also the day of visits]. SME / MY Zvolen (in Slovak). 26 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Brown, Cameron (2006). Christmas Facts, Figures & Fun: Facts, Figures and Fun. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-904332-27-5.
- ^ «snopes.com: Boxing Day Origins». Snopes.com. 7 November 2000.
- ^ Collins, 2003, p. 38.
- ^ Faust, Jessica; Sach, Jacky (2002). The Book of Christmas. Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-2368-2.
Yet another legend is that Boxing Day started the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches during the Christmas season. The contents of the alms boxes were then distributed amongst the poor of the parish.
- ^ «Boxing Day». Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ «Christmas box». Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 1953 «Boxing day»
- ^ «Saturday 19 December 1663 (Pepys’ Diary)». Pepysdiary.com. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ «Boxing Day and it’s surprising facts». shoppersinusa. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ «Christmas box requests by City’s waste management staff prohibited | Cape Argus». www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ «Boxing Day». American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
- ^ «Radio 4 Christmas 2004 highlights» (Press release). BBC Press Office. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ «UK bank holidays». GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ «Public holidays». SafeWork SA. Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ «General holidays for 2007 – 2021». GovHK. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ «Labour Department — Frequently Asked Questions». www.labour.gov.hk. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ «History of Bank & Public Holidays». Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
- ^ Boxing Day tragedy in Donegal as man dies in crash (Donegal News, 26 December 2019). https://donegalnews.com/2019/12/boxing-day-tragedy-in-donegal-as-man-dies-in-crash
- ^ Donegal couple devastated after losing home in Boxing Day fire (Donegal Daily, 29 December 2017). https://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/12/29/donegal-couple-devastated-after-losing-home-in-boxing-day-fire/
- ^ «Boxing Day/St. Stephen’s Day — Which is more common in Donegal?». boards.ie. 24 December 2009.
- ^ «Working on public holidays». New Zealand Government. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «Holidays in Nigeria in 2017». Time and Date. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ «BY THE QUEEN — A PROCLAMATION — APPOINTING THURSDAY, 26TH DECEMBER 1974 A BANK HOLIDAY IN SCOTLAND …» The London Gazette. No. 46377. 18 October 1974. p. 9343.
- ^ «Public and bank holidays». mygov.scot. Retrieved 28 December 2022. Lists past and upcoming bank holidays, frequently updated.
- ^ «Holidays Act (Chapter 126)». Singapore Statutes Online. 30 December 1999. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ «Public holidays in South Africa». South African Government. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ «Public Holidays». Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ «Year Planner Calendar; 2010». hraconsulting-ltd.co.uk. 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ Johnston-Barnes, Owain. Gombeys dance on Boxing Day, The Royal Gazette (26 December 2017). Accessed 27 December 2017.
- ^ «Massachusetts celebrates Boxing Day», Associated Press, Sun-Journal, Lewiston, Maine, 26 December 1996.
- ^ «Massachusetts Federal and State Holidays 2017». Public Holidays Global Pty Ltd. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Terry Kirby (27 December 2006). «Boxing Day sales soar as shoppers flock to malls». The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ a b CTV.ca News Staff (26 December 2005). «Boxing Day expected to rake in $1.8 billion». Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ «Boxing Day sales to top $2bn: retailers». Special Broadcasting Service. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ^ «Boxing Day still big for bargain hunters despite pre-christmas retail sales». Stuff. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ «Boxing Day sales attract ‘record’ number of shoppers». BBC News. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b Ashleigh Patterson (25 December 2007). «How to become a Boxing Day shopping pro». Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ toronto.ctv.ca (26 December 2007). «Boxing Day begins with early rush of bargain hunters». Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ soonews.ca (22 December 2007). «Boxing Day, The Debate Continues». Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- ^ «Boxing Day madness: shoppers descend on stores looking for deals». CP24. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ «Council repeals Sudbury’s store hours bylaw». Sudbury Star, 10 December 2014.
- ^ CTV.ca News Staff (21 December 2008). «Boxing Day comes early as shoppers search for deals». Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ IMRG (22 December 2009). «Many retailers’ sales to start on Christmas Eve». Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ Telegraph (22 December 2009). «Boxing Day sales start on Christmas Eve». The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ Shaw, Hollie (23 November 2016). «Inside the shopping extravaganza that Black Friday has become in Canada». Financial Post. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Jones, Lora (21 November 2018). «Have eight years of Black Friday changed the UK?». BBC News. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Ruddick, Graham (26 November 2015). «What is Black Friday and who’s to blame for it?». The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Wood, Zoe (26 December 2019). «Boxing Day sales dip blamed on poor weather and Black Friday». The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ McCamish, Bethany (29 March 2021). «What Is The Best Shopping Day After Christmas? We’ve Got The Answer». The Money Manual. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ «How the 2022 World Cup will affect the 2022/23 Premier League season». talkSPORT. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ «Italy’s Boxing Day». Sporvision.com.
- ^ Qaiser, S Pervez (25 December 2017). «Boxing Day Test: Grand year-end event with rich cricket history». Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «About the Race». Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ «Racecards – 26th December 2016». Racing Post.
- ^ «Hundreds of thousands turn out for Boxing Day hunts». The Daily Telegraph. London. 26 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ «NHL Hockey Schedule for December 26, 2011». Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ «National Hockey League CBA» (PDF). National Hockey League. p. 101—not digital page 101 but the printed 101. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ Millman, Joel (28 December 2009). «Season’s Beatings: ‘Boxing Day’ Takes a Pugilistic Turn». The Wall Street Journal (Asia ed.). Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Rosqvist, Berndt (22 December 2003). «Festligt och fullsatt på stora bandydagen» [Festive and packed with great bandy day]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ Special Report: Boxing Day Tsunami Anniversary (45‘ video). Sky News. 21 December 2014 – via YouTube.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boxing Day.
- The Origins of Boxing Day at Snopes
День святого Стефана празднуется католической церковью во многих европейских странах 26 декабря, на второй день после Рождества. В ряде стран он является государственным праздником и официальным выходным днем.
Первый христианский мученик, архидиакон Стефан (St. Stephen), был одним из семи апостолов, избранных апостолом Петром для помощи нищим и проповеди христианства. Он принял мученическую смерть (Стефана забили камнями) приблизительно в 34 году новой эры. Известно, что одним из его мучителей был Савл — впоследствии ставший апостолом Павлом, светочем и столпом христианства.
Стефан был христианским первомучеником и пострадал за Христа в возрасте около 30 лет. По выражению Астерия, это был «начаток мучеников, учитель страданий за Христа, основание доброго исповедания, ибо прежде Стефана никто не изливал крови своей за Евангелие».
Будучи исполнен Духа Святого, святой Стефан с дерзновением убедительно проповедовал христианское учение и побеждал иудейских законоучителей в спорах. За это иудеи оклеветали Стефана, будто бы он произносит хулы на Бога и на Моисея. С таким обвинением святой Стефан предстал перед синедрионом и первосвященником.
Он произнес пламенную речь, в которой изложил историю еврейского народа и смело обличил иудеев в гонениях на пророков и в казни ожидавшегося ими Мессии, Иисуса Христа.
Во время речи святой Стефан вдруг увидел небо разверстым и Иисуса Христа во славе. Он громко провозгласил об этом. Тогда иудеи, затыкая уши, набросились на него, повлекли его за город и побивали камнями, а святой мученик молился за своих убийц.
Вдали, на возвышении, стояла Матерь Божия со святым апостолом Иоанном Богословом и усердно молилась за мученика. Перед смертью Стефан произнес: «Господи Иисусе, приими дух мой, Господи, не вмени им это во грех», — и затем предал Христу свою чистую душу.
Тело святого первомученика Стефана, оставленное на съедение зверям, тайно взял известный еврейский учитель Гамалиил с сыном своим Авивом и предал погребению в своем имении. Впоследствии они оба уверовали во Христа и приняли святое Крещение.
Источник иллюстрации / фото: Wordyou.ru
26 декабря 2022 года многие люди в мире торжественно отмечают День подарков, а также в четверг католики празднуют свой праздник — День святого Стефана.
Традиции праздника Дня подарков 26 декабря 2022 года
Boxing Day — большой праздник, отмечающийся в Великой Британии, Канаде, Австралии и Новой Зеландии. Событие проводится ежегодно на следующий день после Рождества.
День подарков не является государственным или профессиональным праздником. Существует предположение, что событие появилось после того, как люди начали ежегодно дарить друг другу деньги, а также подарки для тех, кто живет в малообеспеченной семье. Обычно сюрпризы делались накануне Рождества, но бедняки получали свои подарки в обычных коробках уже после. От этого и походить название «Boxing Day».
В наше время этот день значительно отмечается скидками в магазинах. Цены на новогодние подарки снижают вполовину. Это и становится главным приоритетом для шопоголиков 26 декабря. Но не все любят такие походы, поэтому для некоторых День подарков становится хорошей возможностью посидеть в кругу семьи.
В некоторых странах в этот день официально проводят спортивные соревнования. В Великобритании, недалеко от города Гилфорд, проводят конные скачки, а в Лондоне на стадионах устраивают автогонки.
История Дня святого Стефана 26 декабря 2022 год
Ежегодно на второй день после Рождества католическая церковь отмечает День святого Стефана. День считается официально выходным, так как праздник относится к государственным. Праздник отмечается в большей части государств Европы.
В Англии в этот день в церквах открывали коробки с пожертвованиями, и собранные деньги раздавали беднякам. Раньше именно 26 декабря хозяин отпускал своих слуг, чтобы те пообедали вместе со своей семьей.
На День святого Стефана в Нидерландах освящают сено. В стране святой Стефан считается покровителем животных, поэтому 26 декабря хозяева скота с особой благодарностью к ним относятся.
В Германии в этот день обычно начинаются готовиться к новогодним распродажам. Немцы считают День святого Стефана «днем отдыха» после отмечания Рождества.
В Чехии праздник имеет название «День святого Штепана». Обычно 26 декабря чехи ходят друг к другу в гости, дарят подарки и вместе строят планы на следующий год.
Источник: ТРИБУНА — материалы могут быть скопированы ресурсом на других платформах без ведома их авторов.
Праздник День подарков
В последнее время праздники идут чередой и им сопутствуют подарки. А вы знаете, что есть даже праздник День подарков?
Довольно часто такой праздник, как День подарков, путают с Днем Святого Стефана. И это неудивительно, оба праздника отмечаются в один день — 26 декабря и практически ничем не отличаются друг от друга.
Следует сразу заметить, что это два абсолютно разных праздника, где в одном чествуют святого, в другом отдают дань сложившейся послерождественской традиции.
Первое упоминание о Дне подарков, именно как о празднике, зафиксировано в Европе в средние века. Если быть более точным, то в католической Великобритании. Официальным праздником «Boxing day» стал относительно недавно, в середине прошлого столетия.
Помимо Англии, праздник широко известен и почитаем в Новой Зеландии, Австралии, Канаде, Кирибати и Самоа. В некоторых странах День подарков принял ежегодную фестивальную традицию и отмечается, как веселый карнавал с ярким костюмированным шествием. Также, праздник известен под названием «День коробок» или «Boxing day», что не меняет его сути и возникших еще в средневековье традиций.
История возникновения праздника День подарков
Существование нескольких версий возникновения Дня подарков исторически обосновано и не имеет в себе значительных противоречий, ибо точной причины появления данной традиции нет и быть не может.
Естественно, что происхождение праздника крепко привязано к какому-то историческому событию, но к какому именно доподлинно неизвестно. Поэтому, каждая из представленных ниже версий имеет право на существование. Основных предположений пять:
1. Рождественское утро всегда наполнял радостный смех детей, которые доставали из-под елки подарки, упакованные в красочные коробки. Рождество — это долгожданный праздник и мало кому из взрослых приходила в голову мысль именно в этот день убирать коробки от подарков. Как правило, уборка откладывалась на следующий день, то есть на 26 декабря, когда пустые коробки собирались и выносились из дома. Видимо однажды, остроумный сосед увидел соседа за данным занятием и в шутку поздравил его с Днем коробок. Благодаря данному факту, многие исследователи происхождения Дня подарка, именно эту версию считают основной.
2. По другой версии, День подарков получил свое название и сформировался, как праздник и отмечаемая традиция, после того, как одаренные подарками накануне, 26 декабря спешили снести неугодившие им подарки обратно в магазин и обменять их на более необходимую вещь. В данном случае, также присутствует логика. Нужно только представить утренний Лондон, с улицами полными людей, в руках у которых зажато по паре рождественских подарков. Естественно, подобное событие не могло не отразиться в истории, раз уже стало строгой традицией.
3. Ранее существовал обычай, благодаря которому простолюдины и нищие люди одаривались подарками от своих господ и просто сердобольных, состоятельных прохожих. Так как подобные дары делались не в Рождество, а на следующие сутки после него, то данную версию можно считать, как одну из правильных в таинственной истории возникновения Дня подарков.
4. Довольно тесно День подарков пересекается с другим католическим праздником — Днем Святого Стефана. Согласно исторической справке на второй день Рождества открывались коробки с пожертвованиями, принесенные в храм верующими людьми на кануне празднования Рождества, предназначенные для посильной помощи бедному и неимущему люду. Некоторые исследователи продолжают настаивать на том, что своими корнями День подарков уходит именно в эти события. Но, как было отмечено выше, это два абсолютно разных праздника.
5. Есть приверженцы и довольно забавной версии происхождения праздника День подарков. Они утверждают, что данная традиция возникла благодаря любви англичан к боксу. Дело в том, что на Рождество и после него, простолюдины собирались на площадях, где предавались народной английской забаве — боксу. Подобную версию косвенно подтверждает и исконно русская традиция сходится на праздник Масленицы стенка на стенку и с веселым задором выбивать друг другу зубы.
Традиции связанные с Днем подарков
В разных странах праздник День подарков отмечается по разному. Где-то он приобрел вид карнавала, где-то проходит тихо и незаметно. Одним словом, обязательного шаблона у праздника нет и он неограничен разнообразными правилами и рекомендациями, как тоже Рождество, например.
Как и на любой праздник, в День подарков принято одаривать своих родных, друзей и близких людей разнообразными подарками. Это может быть что угодно, от утюга до игровой приставки. Разве что, можно отметить одну сложившуюся традицию, наличие которой и делает праздник узнаваемым.
В День подарков принято раздавать милостыню и делать пожертвования для различных благотворительных организаций, ухаживать за старыми и больными людьми, помогать неимущим. То есть, творить благие дела и не оставаться равнодушным к тяготам своего ближнего.
Любопытно, что раньше, в этот день практически во всех странах, где принято отмечать День подарков, практически все население пускало себе кровь! В среднее века кровопускание было довольно широко распространено и считалось универсальным лекарством от всех болезней — панацеей. Данное заблуждение и породило традицию 26 декабря, на второй день после Рождества, пускать себе кровь. Считалось, что именно в эту дату кровопускание обещает силу, здоровье и долголетие. Более того, люди не ограничивались процедурой кровопускания только себе, ему подвергалась и домашняя живность.
День подарков в наши дни
Современный День подарков значительно отличается от своей исторической составляющей, в прошлом осталось кровопускание, забылись и другие, не менее интересные традиции. Однако, это праздник и в некоторых странах он достиг государственного уровня и считается выходным днем.
В Великобритании, например, если День подарков выпал на воскресенье, то обязательно компенсируется понедельником. И какова бы не была история возникновения праздника, главное, что он состоялся и продолжает радовать людей. День подарков — это традиция, взирающая на человека сквозь века.
| День подарков | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Коробки с подарками под рождественской ёлкой | |
| иначе | День коробок, Boxing Day |
| Отмечается | Великобритания, Австралия, Канада, Новая Зеландия, Кирибати, Самоа и др. |
| Празднование | 26 декабря |
| Связан с | Протестантским и Католическим Рождеством |
День подарков (англ. Boxing Day) — праздник, отмечаемый в Великобритании и в ряде стран Британского содружества наций: Австралии, Новой Зеландии, Канаде, а также в Кирибати[1], Самоа и др. «День подарков» отмечается в этих странах ежегодно 26 декабря.
История и празднование
Английское словосочетание «Boxing day» обычно переводят на русский язык, как «День подарков», однако буквальное значение — «День коробок». Здесь нет большого противоречия, ибо подразумеваются здесь именно те коробки, в которые традиционно, перед тем как подарить, эти подарки собственно и кладут.
Существует несколько версий, как произошло название праздника:
- 25 декабря католики всего мира отмечают один их главных христианских праздников Рождество Христово. Согласно рождественским традициям, в ночь с 25 на 26 декабря, Санта-Клаус (сказочный дед, который в Рождество дарит подарки детям) кладёт под новогоднюю ёлку подарки. Утром, когда все просыпаются, то начинают открывать коробки в которых находятся праздничные подарки. Если семья большая и многодетная, то дом наполняется пустыми коробками, которые дети не всегда спешат прибрать, ибо их внимание приковано к содержимому… Видимо поэтому, этот день и стали называть в англоязычных странах «днем коробок», но при переводе на ряд языков сочли, что название «День подарков» более благозвучно.
- Существует другая версия, что название празднику дали коробки с которыми получатели подарков спешат в магазин дабы обменять подарок, если он пришелся им не по вкусу (торговые точки, как правило, предусматривают такую возможность).
- Находятся люди, которые считают, что буквальный перевод «День бокса» и название это появилось от того, что собравшиеся на празднование Рождества люди предавались народной английской забаве — боксу.
- В старину, среди представителей аристократии было принято 26 декабря одаривать подарками вассалов и прислугу, которые получали выходной в этот день, ибо в Рождество прислуживали на празднике у хозяев.
- 26 декабря купцы выдавали всем, кто работал на них (продавцам, слугам, приказчикам…) своеобразные Рождественские премии — коробки с вкусной едой и лакомствами. Некоторые считают, что это положило название празднику[2].
Существует еще несколько версий происхождения названия этого праздника и выделить сейчас единственно правильную вряд ли возможно. Собственно в странах, где отмечается «День подарков» особенно на этом и не зацикливаются. Достаточно того, что это выходной день и одна из добрых католических рождественских традиций.
«День Святого Стефана»
«День Святого Стефана» — католический праздник-аналог «Дню подарков», отмечается в этот же день, имеет схожие традиции, поэтому день почитания Стефана Первомученика и «День подарков» нередко путают друг с другом[3].
См. также
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День подарков на Викискладе? |
|---|
- Новый год
- Дед Мороз
Примечания
- ↑ Фестивали и праздники в Кирибати / Travel.Ru / Кирибати
- ↑ День подарков (Великобритания, Австралия, Новая Зеландия, Канада) — Boxing Day
- ↑ en:St. Stephen’s Day
Интересный и прекрасный праздник подарков или День коробок (Boxing Day) — торжество родом из Великобритании, отмечаемое также в Австралии, Канаде и Новой Зеландии, странах Южной Африки и даже на Багамах. В календаре эта дата отмечена 26 декабря, на следующий день после католического Рождества.
Народ, живущий в этих странах, любит День подарков, поскольку к этой знаменательной дате магазины и торговые центры всегда готовят глобальные распродажи и огромные скидки. Покупку обычно откладывают до сегодня, чтобы купить желаемое за полцены.
Как возник День подарков 2022
День коробок или Boxing Day официально признали как значимый праздник еще в прошлом веке, а самые ранние письменные сведения о нем датируются 1830 годом. Есть теория, что корни данной традиции уходят значительно глубже — у средневековой знати существовал обычай выплачивать своим слугам своеобразную «годовую премию» за работу – единоразовую оплату на следующий день после Рождества. Также, в храмах 26 декабря устанавливались специальные коробки, в которые прихожане «бросали» пожертвования для малоимущих людей. Служители церкви потом раздавали их «по назначению».
Как и в далекие времена, сейчас этот день также начинается с обычая одаривать бедных людей подарками в коробках или жертвовать деньги, а принимать и приносить дары близким и родным обычно принято в канун Рождества. Эти два праздничных дня подряд — Рождество и День подарков — стали основой для образования традиции собираться семьями.
Традиции и мероприятия в день подарков
В День подарков, 26 декабря, практически во всех магазинах и торговых центрах стартует сезон больших скидок. Рабочий день у них начнется очень рано, но уже к открытию ко входу стекаются нетерпеливые покупатели, стремящиеся как можно ранее приобрести желаемый товар с привлекательным ценником. Но не только распродажами привлекателен этот праздник – его любят и ценят за возможность провести еще один день в кругу семьи, не торопясь доедать рождественский ужин.
Австралийцы в этот день обычно проводят еще и спортивные турниры, на это значимое событие съезжается много гостей, так как по интенсивности эти соревнования практически идентичны церемониям дня ANZAC. Сидней, например, собирает спортсменов для прохождения ежегодной гонки на яхтах, называемой Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, а в городе Мельбурн проводится тестовый матч на основном поле для крикета.
Католики, к слову, также отмечают праздник, аналогичный Дню подарков 26 декабря. Он называется днем Святого Стефана, который имеет схожие с Boxing Day традиции.
Чем заняться в День подарков
Совершенно реально при желании принять участие в спортивных соревнованиях, отправиться на конные скачки короля Георга VI (на ипподроме Кемптон-парка, Суррей) или посетить автогонки на стадионе «Уимблдон» в Лондоне. Можно присоединиться к купальщикам и нырнуть в волны океана – такие купания также являются традиционными для Дня подарков.
Все проводимые 26 декабря мероприятия рассматриваются как благотворительные, поэтому не стоит упускать возможность поддержать доброе начинание. Если есть желание сделать что-то конкретное для помощи нуждающимся, то неплохо будет пожертвовать какую-то сумму денег в церкви или побыть донором — сдать кровь в больнице. Этот день является одним из самых подходящих для того, чтобы делать добрые дела – их свершение оставляет необыкновенный шлейф удовлетворенности на долгое время.