If you’re picturing solemn charity work or church services, stop right there. Modern Boxing Day is mostly about three things: eating cold turkey sandwiches, watching football, and returning the awful sweater your aunt gave you. Seriously, the sales start on Boxing Day—it’s our version of Black Friday, except we’re slightly more polite about it (and still grumpy from the night before).
Here’s the real tradition: you wake up at 10 a.m. with a mild headache from the Christmas sherry. You shuffle to the living room, still in your pajamas, and stare at the mountain of wrapping paper. Then, someone shoves a plate of leftover pigs in blankets into your hands. “Happy Boxing Day,” they mutter. It’s magical.
And the Fox Hunts? (Spoiler: Not Happy)
Historically, Boxing Day was also when the aristocracy went fox hunting. That tradition is controversial now (and largely banned in the UK, despite some loopholes). Today, most people prefer to watch football or go for a walk in the park. The only “hunting” we do is for discounted electronics at the shopping center. Much safer.
There’s also the Boxing Day Test in cricket (because of course cricket is involved). And massive horse races. Really, it’s a day for sports and couch-lounging. I’m surprised we haven’t declared it a national sport day.
Why the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day
