What is Boxing Day?
Most of us know that Boxing Day is always the very next day after Christmas but what is the holiday for?
The holiday originated many centuries ago where traditionally on the day after Christmas, churches would distribute the contents of their charity boxes to the poor. Later on, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria made Boxing Day a formal holiday. It became the day when butlers, maids and cooks would be given a day off work and would receive small gifts (in boxes) from their bosses.
Today in Australia, Boxing Day has become the second day in a row of celebration with food and drinks after Christmas Day (usually leftovers or an easy BBQ). Sports are an integral part of the holiday, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race starts at noon and the Boxing Day Cricket Test Match attracts 160,000 people to the MCG and millions of viewers on TV.
The other major event on Boxing Day in a lot of Australian cities is the Boxing Day Sales. Although it is a public holiday, many stores still open their doors and offer shoppers post-Christmas deals and discounts. This has become one of the busiest trading days of the year.
Boxing Day has become an integral part of our Aussie Christmas celebrations, it gives everyone a chance to wind down after the fuss of Christmas and get ready to ring in the New Year. Whether you plan to spend it at the beach, at the shops or watching the cricket over a BBQ, we hope you enjoy your day!