What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is the name of a public bank holiday which is on 26th December, immediately following Christmas. Boxing Day is a common term used in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and countries in the Commonwealth.   

 

The Christmas Custom, Origin and History of Boxing Day
Why is the 26th December referred to as Boxing Day? No, people did not box or fight on this day! The box in Boxing day refers to collection boxes for the poor. A Christmas Box was also name given to a gift given at Christmas. This custom originated in England when many people were expected to work on Christmas Day. If they were lucky they were given the next day off work and presented with a Christmas Box by their employer. On this day of leisure many towns and villages enjoyed different sporting contests and Boxing Day is traditionally a day of many sporting events. This day of leisure is now spent by many at shops and stores which offer discount sales.

 

Boxing Day - Bank Holidays
British Bank holidays are Public Holidays and have been recognized as such since 1871. The term 'Bank Holiday' derives from the custom of banks being shut on these days and so no trading could take place. Although though banks are still closed on these days many shops today are now open for business. The only exceptions are Easter Sunday and Christmas Day when the law requires the larger shops to close.