Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26 each year. It is typically associated with the countries that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is also a holiday in Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The day is celebrated in Croatia, Finland, Hungary, and Romania as St. Stephen’s Day. Although its exact origins are uncertain, Boxing Day emerged in nineteenth-century Britain as a tradition of generosity and social appreciation. The earliest known use of the term “Boxing Day” dates to the mid-1700s, with the Oxford English Dictionary citing its appearance in 1743. By the mid-1800s, it became customary for employers to give workers a “Christmas box” containing small gifts, money, or holiday treats as a gesture of thanks after the holiday. Over time, the practice broadened beyond service and charity relationships to become a general day of giving—an opportunity to share with those who worked through the holiday or supported others during the year. Although it is impossible to know precisely how the Boxing Day holiday began, it is clear that the spirit of the day was devoted to giving. Extend Your Holiday by Embracing Boxing Day Traditions
11 December 2025
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