Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, and originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor. Now it is known as a shopping holiday, when there are sales on at many shops. It originated from the United Kingdom, but is celebrated in many countries. It has been a bank holiday in the United Kingdom since 1871. The origin of the term “Boxing Day” is not definitive as it has been said to come from many ages. It has been dated to the Middle Ages, where it is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in the narthex of Christian churches to collect donations to the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era where alms boxes were placed in churches to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which falls on the same day (see below for more details). It was in the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1830s, where the day was definted as “the first weekday after Christmas Day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box”.
It was a custom for tradesman to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.
Holidays & Special Events 