IMPORTANCE & HISTORY OF THE BOXING DAY-26th DECEMBER 2020

DMM DEPARTMENT

MB Enterprises

The happiness to enjoy some overwhelming shopping discounts on the Boxing Day, i.e. the next day of Christmas is always overwhelming for those who live in UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. These are the countries that celebrate Boxing Day on the 26th of December that originated from United Kingdom, and later spread in the Common Wealth countries, i.e. Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. The most commonly accepted explanation for the Boxing Day meaning relates to the phrase ‘Christmas Box’. This notion dates back to ancient times of the British aristocracy, as they were said to give their servants and employees an off day on 26th Dec, the next day after Christmas. They also used to give some sort of gifts and presents to their servants, known as the ‘Christmas Box.’ It is also known as the feast of St. Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr and an important figure known for acts of charity. The celebrations of the day takes place on the same date i.e. 26th December 2020. Stephens day, Celebrated and known as St. Stephen's day in Ireland, as it is the feast day of the honorable Saint. Another key concept behind Boxing Day, i.e. next day to Christmas, was giving charities and provisions to the needy. Regardless of the many stories that are associated with the Boxing Day, the meaning seems built on gift giving and charity when it was first recognized as a bank holiday in England in 1871. Since 1871, 26th December is celebrated in form of an official holiday, if it’s falling on a Saturday or Sunday, the next working day is a bank holiday.

COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF BOXING DAY BOXING

The Boxing Day in the West holds huge commercial value and importance associated to the retail sector. In England, the place where it originated from, Boxing Day, i.e. 26th December is celebrated in form of an official Bank holiday. However, for the shoppers, it is a huge day, as the Boxing Day sales starts early morning for people who buy their favorite products with huge discounts that can rise up to 80% of the original product price. For many countries it is

just a day after Christmas with heavy sales, however, in England and Australia the day is celebrated by playing their most favorite sports as part of the celebrations. For example on the Boxing Day 2018, there were Premier league football games played including Liverpool Vs Newcastle and Tottenham Vs Bornemouth. Whereas, in Australia, the day is celebrated usually with the start of the Boxing Day Test match that starts on 26th Dec and ends on 30th Dec, in Melbourne, Australia, i.e. just before the start of the Next Year.

Heavy significance is taken by the retail sector in form of promotions, heavy advertising of products on discounts, substantial rise in the sales volume, and high amount of media coverage. The day is celebrated as a huge symbol of joy in form of gifts and thanks to the Almighty for showering the blessings on the special day.

Another country in the Australian continent that celebrates the Boxing Day is New Zealand. Apart from the shopping discounts and offers it’s a day that is celebrated with something in common to the U.K. is horse racing, such as Auckland racing club. The three categories in which the celebrations of the Boxing Day falls is sports, shopping & family.

HOLIDAYS & FAMILY TIME:

Family get-to-gathers take place in form of parties, dining out with the family, prayers & sermons, giving charities to the needy, celebrating elegant food and having some great family time on the occasion of Boxing Day holiday. In some countries, celebrations can extend further to the start of the New Year as many people take their annual leave and go for holidays to their favorite holiday destinations.

26th December is a huge carnival for those who love sports, shopping & like spending some peace moments with their love ones.