Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK and some other commonwealth countries. This public holiday is usually ripe with traditions.
Boxing Day origins
There are several theories that explain how Boxing Day acquired its name. Some historians claim that this day dates back over 800 years and that it refers to the collection boxes that churches put out after Christmas for the needy and poor.
Other theorists think that Boxing Day stems from the day that servants were given time off after Christmas to spend with their families - employers would give servants a box with food or other goods as a gift. A similar theory also states that on the day after Christmas, pre-World War II workers, such as postmen or delivery people, would collect tips from customers in a box.
Whatever the origins, it is clear that people celebrate Boxing Day in a number of ways.
Sport
The 26th December is also known as St. Stephen's Day. St. Stephen was the patron saint of horses, so it's no surprise to discover that Boxing Day is an important date in the calendar for horse racing events.
In fact, many sporting fixtures take place on Boxing Day, especially football, with both local and top-tier leagues playing matches. Another type of football match takes place on Scarborough beach every Boxing Day, where players dress up in fancy dress and the match is followed by a raft race around the harbour. The event was first organised in the 19th century to raise funds for the families of fishermen lost at sea.
Fox hunting has also been an important Boxing Day tradition for many years, and although the 2004 ban has seen this activity dwindle significantly in popularity, adapted legal hunts still take place with thousands of spectators turning up to the meets.
Charity swims
In more recent times, a new breed of sporting activity has fast become a fixture on Boxing Day. Across the country, many people don wet suits or dress up in costumes (notably Santa outfits) and take a bracing dip in the chilly sea. Most participants are raising money for charity.
Boxing Day fun runs are also common, with joggers often dressing up in costumes.
Local traditions
Some Boxing Day traditions are very specific to a local area. For instance, the Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester has held a barrel rolling contest on Boxing Day since the 1960s, while The Keynsham Mummers Play, with its 19th century origins, has been performed to the residents of Keynsham in Somerset every Boxing Day since 1977.
Shopping
Lots of people have taken to sales shopping on Boxing Day. Although the post-Christmas sales used to traditionally start in the New Year, this has been pushed forward to Boxing Day, or even earlier – we might even have a little sale of our own!
Family, eating and entertainment
Boxing Day was also traditionally the time that pantomimes started, although many now begin earlier in December. For many people, a trip to the pantomime, theatre or cinema on Boxing Day is still a popular pastime.
For the majority of people, however, Boxing Day is about chilling out with friends and family, playing board games, watching TV, or going for a stroll. While many of us will be eating leftover turkey, others will head to the pub or enjoy a meal out after the stresses and strains of Christmas Day!
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