Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, another holiday is celebrated around the world. Boxing Day

HARRISONBURG VA: (ROCKTOWN NOW) – As families around the Shenandoah Valley celebrate Christmas today, another holiday is coming. No, not New Year’s Eve, we’re talking Boxing Day! Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK, Canada and British Commonwealth nations such as Australia and New Zealand. The holiday originated in Great Britain, but other European nations have since adopted it. Boxing Day coincides with the Christian holiday Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered Boxing Day. St. Stephen was a deacon ordained by the apostles to care for widows and the poor.

Boxing Day dates back to 1871, according to Love to Know, and originated as a custom for tradesmen and women to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or gifts on the first weekday after Christmas in return for good service year-round. Many workers, especially domestic workers, had to work on Christmas Day, so Boxing Day gave them the opportunity to visit their own family. The workers took home boxes of food and other gifts. In the UK, Boxing Day is a public holiday imposed by the government. If it falls on a weekend, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday. Schools and many organizations are closed on this day. Shops tend to be open as Boxing Day sales are very popular.

As with most events, Boxing Day features some notable customs.

· Workers, especially those in service positions, are honored. It is customary to give a financial gift to people who provide services throughout the year. This includes postmen, sanitation workers, hair stylists and others.

· Contribution to the less fortunate. People often donate food to local food banks and support charities.

· Watch or attend sporting events. Boxing Day is also marked by sporting events such as horse racing and football, with the UK often hosting a full day of Premier League matches.

· Take a cool swim. Some people enjoy participating in Polar Plunges to raise money for charity. An annual event features people jumping into the English Channel, and similar jumps are held elsewhere.

· Go to the shops. Boxing Day is similar to Black Friday in the US. Boxing Day is full of reduced prices and great deals for shoppers eager to use Christmas gift cards.

· Meet friends and families. On Boxing Day, friends often get together to socialize and go out for dinner or drinks.

Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas and provides an opportunity to continue the merriment of the Christmas season.