AP Explains: What is Boxing Day?

[MULTIZ321]

AP Explains: What is Boxing Day?.

AP Explains: What is Boxing Day?

LONDON (AP) — In Britain and other countries like Australia and Canada, the day after Christmas is a secular national holiday known as Boxing Day. Here’s a brief look at some theories about how...

apnews.com

.


Richard

 

[PrairieGirl]

As an import to Canada some 30 years ago, Boxing Day was a totally new concept to me. For most folks I know, there is no "tradition" around it, It's just another day off work, making Christmas celebrations much more relaxing if you have to travel. There is lots of visiting with neighbours and friends.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Yes, Boxing Day in Canada allows for a longer holiday to spend more time with family. As a result, our Thanksgiving in early October, which falls on a Monday, is not the focal holiday that US Thanksgiving tends to be, since it is only a 3-day weekend. It tends to mark the end of summer "cottage" season. We have nevertheless started to embrace the Black Friday shopping sales and blitzes in November on the same day as the US.

Our Christmas holiday period tends to be the holiday that more closely resembles US Thanksgiving, where people travel (sometimes long distances) to be home with family, due to the extra day. It used to be that most retail stores were closed for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, most retail stores now are open on Boxing Day and it is more like a second "Black Friday".

 

[MULTIZ321]

Toronto shoppers opt for in-store Boxing Day deals despite online options.

Toronto shoppers opt for in-store Boxing Day deals despite online options - Toronto | Globalnews.ca

"It is the busiest day of the year, but we've really staffed up," said the marketing director of Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

globalnews.ca

Richard

 

[PrairieGirl]

Yes, Boxing Day in Canada allows for a longer holiday to spend more time with family. As a result, our Thanksgiving in early October, which falls on a Monday, is not the focal holiday that US Thanksgiving tends to be, since it is only a 3-day weekend. It tends to mark the end of summer "cottage" season. We have nevertheless started to embrace the Black Friday shopping sales and blitzes in November on the same day as the US.

Our Christmas holiday period tends to be the holiday that more closely resembles US Thanksgiving, where people travel (sometimes long distances) to be home with family, due to the extra day. It used to be that most retail stores were closed for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, most retail stores now are open on Boxing Day and it is more like a second "Black Friday".

Absolutely true! Being from the US, it took me a while to adjust to the "lack" of Thanksgiving as I knew it. Plus, marrying into a farming family, Thanksgiving had often been spent in the field for the final days of harvest when my husband was growing up. And the last few years have seen us harvesting in October as well. So what did I do? Turkey became a field meal, and it's not quite as hard as one might think.......now that we winter in Arizona I get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice - once at home and once down south. I've had enough Turkey for a few months, give me a prime rib for Christmas any day!