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You are here: Home / Language / How Did Boxing Day Originate and How Did the Holiday After Christmas Get its Name?

How Did Boxing Day Originate and How Did the Holiday After Christmas Get its Name?

February 8, 2020 by Karen Hill

Beginning in the Middle Ages, Boxing Day was known as St. Stephen’s Day in honour of the first Christian martyr.

Although unknown in the United States, Boxing Day is still observed in Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

It’s called “Boxing Day” because on the day after Christmas, the rich folks boxed up gifts to give to their servants and tradespeople, while the churches opened their charity boxes to the poor.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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