How is Boxing Day observed? What is it? The complete scenario
Boxing Day, which is observed the day after Christmas, has nothing to do with sports, despite what the name might imply. The event is today observed as a “shopping holiday,” despite its origins as a day for giving gifts to the underprivileged.
It was recognised on December 26 and was made official in 1871. On the other hand, if that day happens on a Saturday, the holiday is celebrated on the following Monday, and if it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the next Tuesday.
Boxing Day was first observed in the United Kingdom, where it is said that Queen Victoria gave it its name. It is now observed throughout much of Europe, as well as in nations that were once British colonies, such as New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. These nations also observe a bank holiday or a public holiday on this day, and retailers offer Boxing Day bargains that are frequently compared to Black Friday sales in the US.
History
There are a number of ideas about the history and origins of Boxing Day, one of which is that it was a holiday for servants on which they would get gifts from their employers and deliver Christmas presents to their relatives. These boxes would contain presents, bonuses, and leftovers from the Christmas meals.
As a result, “boxing day” in this context refers to the day following Christmas when Christmas boxes are distributed to people in need. The first Christian martyr, noted for his service to the poor and stoned to death in AD 36, is commemorated on December 26 as St. Stephen’s Day in nations like Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Finland, and others in Europe.
What actually people do today?
While some individuals meet for leftover meals and enjoy their day off, others choose to spend it with family and friends. While a record number of people shop to take advantage of sales.
Boxing Day has a tenuous connection to sports because it is when the Boxing Day Test, a cricket match between the Australian side and any other nation currently touring in the nation, is played in Australia. The match begins on December 26. The renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), located in Victoria, hosts them.
In addition, a number of other athletic events take place on Boxing Day, including cricket matches in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as football and rugby matches in the UK.
Boxing Day sales in the UK and Australia in 2022
According to a survey conducted by Barclaycard Payments, shoppers in the UK are anticipated to spend 4% less on Boxing Day this year than they did last year, despite the nation experiencing the greatest inflation in decades and a cost-of-living crisis. According to reports, a person should spend a minimum of 229 pounds ($276.2) this year, which is 18 pounds ($21.7) less than in 2021.
While attributing the anticipated low sales to the cost-of-living crisis and inflation, Harshna Cayley, head of online payments at the credit card business, also added that “retailers should take heart knowing that shoppers still aim to make the most of the deals and discounts on offer.”
The report also predicts that at least 28% of individuals will sell some unwanted Christmas gifts on websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Research conducted by Global Data for Voucher codes predicts that spending on Boxing Day will total about 3.8 billion pounds ($4.6 billion), which is 4% less than it did the year before.
Notably, even though fewer products will be purchased overall because the country’s inflation rate is more than 10%, customers will spend more on each item.
As they celebrate their first COVID-19 restrictions-free sale since 2020, reports indicate that Australians will spend a staggering AU$ 23.5 billion (US$ 15.78 billion) on Boxing Day.
With consumers in key cities like Melbourne and Sydney more eager to spend money than in past years, the Australian Retail Association (ARA) predicts that the sales period will witness a rise of 7.9% from last year.
Paul Zahra, the chief executive of ARA, also emphasised the shift in buying habits, noting that less people are purchasing in-store now than they were in years past as more and more people choose to purchase online. He also mentioned that because of an “unseasonably cold summer,” shoppers may get significant savings on clothes.