When Christmas is over, there must be time to rest after the giant feast; that is when Boxing Day comes into play. Although it is supposedly a holiday adjoining the religious Christmas, December 26 in most Commonwealth countries is actually the day of massive shopping sales.

In Canada, provinces of New Brunswick, New Foundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island outlawed almost all commerce during the day, since it is supposed to be devoted to post-Christmas relax. It is the second day of Christmastide, and in the liturgical calendar it is recognized as Saint Stephen’s Day. This version of the holiday is especially celebrated in Ireland. Citizens of the United States do not observe Boxing Day; some states, however, recognize the Day after Christmas.

The derivation of the name “Boxing Day” is uncertain, since it has supposedly two explanations. One is that medieval landlords used to give boxes full of treats to their servants, who were subsequently allowed to go home on December 26. The other explanation concerns the tradition of putting out metal boxes in churches and thus collecting money for charity on the day after Christmas. First use of the term “Christmas box” is from the 17th century. Nowadays, Boxing Day is a secular holiday that has developed late in the 20th century. For example in Scotland, it had been proclaimed an additional bank holiday only in 1971, taking effect in 1974. Although the term “Boxing Day” had already appeared in print in 1833, the holiday was not definitely shaped until fairly recently. Nowadays, it is the Commonwealth version of the more popular American Black Friday.

In many places, Boxing Day is primarily the time to shop on post-Christmas sales. Nevertheless, many Commonwealth citizens enjoy sporting events instead. The most elitist tradition of all is fox hunting, held in the UK and Canada. These countries also organize prominent horse races, such as the King George VI Race in Surrey, England. Moreover, Great Britain enjoys football and rugby matches. Canada, on the other hand, holds special ice hockey showdowns, such as the beginning of the IIHF World U20 Championship or the Spengler Cup. Australia and New Zealand play Test cricket matches, but yacht races are prominent in the former, too. Overall, the media is rather preoccupied with the sporting events, rather than tragic reports from the shopping-sale battlefield.

Boxing Day is a public/bank holiday in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most of Canada (excluding Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia). It ought to be the time to unwind and rest after the stressful holidays, and it mostly is. Luckily, Boxing Day sales are not as popular and dangerous as the American Black Friday. December 26 can be simply a post-Christmas, peaceful observance.