Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (Dec. 26). Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to people in need, today Boxing Day forms part of Christmas celebrations, with many people choosing to take advantage of Boxing Day sales. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in several Commonwealth nations. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on Dec. 28 if it falls on a weekday.
Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Christian festival Saint Stephen’s Day. In parts of Europe, such as several regions of Spain, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and in the Republic of Ireland, Dec. 26 is considered the second day of Christmas.
