One mystery that has puzzled millions around the world is the true meaning of Boxing Day and why it is called so.
To begin, Boxing Day has no connection to the sport of boxing, despite the common assumption many might have had at some point.
Celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas, Boxing Day is widely observed in Commonwealth countries like Malta, the UK, Canada, and other Western nations.
The origins of Boxing Day are debated, but the most widely accepted theory dates back to 17th/18th century Britain.
At that time, servants of wealthy families were given the day off on the 26th to spend with their own families after working hard on Christmas Day.
As a gesture of appreciation, their employers would present them with a ‘Christmas box’—a box filled with gifts, bonuses, and leftover food. This is believed to be the origin of the name “Boxing Day.”
In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Boxing Day is widely recognized as a major shopping holiday, highlighted by extensive sales and significant price cuts from retailers.
In addition to shopping, Boxing Day has become synonymous with football, particularly in England and Italy. On December 26th, Premier League and Serie A teams draw massive crowds to their stadiums for a day of festive matches.
In Malta, the charitable spirit of Boxing Day remains strong through the annual ‘L-Istrina’ marathon, held the day after Christmas. This event raises millions of euros to support those in need, with last year’s marathon collecting an impressive €5.27 million.
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