Boxing Day 2013 Today, Shopping Ensues
Boxing Day 2013 arrived Thursday with people around the world seeking after-Christmas deals on items.
The annual shopping holiday arrives each year on the day after Christmas, unless Dec. 26 falls on a Sunday. In that case, Boxing Day is moved to Dec. 27 in many places.
The secular holiday is celebrated in the U.K. as well as in many places settled by the English.
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Although it is not celebrated in the U.S., the Dec. 26 event is observed in locations that include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and is known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday is in the U.S.
In the U.K., Boxing Day is one of the many holidays recognized by banks, government offices, and the post office.
In London, many retailers opened early on Thursday, while some even offered deals and savings online early on Christmas Day.
The traditional English holiday extends the Christmas giving season, and has become the day of the year with the greatest amount of returns.
In the U.K., it is estimated that sales on retail websites would increase 19 percent on Christmas Day, according to the BBC.
However, Boxing Day sees people actually head to stores across the country.
While the origin of the holiday is unknown, it is believed that Boxing Day may have arose after servants who were required to work Christmas Day having the following day off.
Furthermore, Boxing Day would mark the day servants and tradesmen would receive gifts from their superiors. It was customary for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday following Christmas, possibly leading to the name of the holiday.
Many social media sites have been flooded with messages from those celebrating Boxing Day, with Happy Boxing Day becoming a trending topic on Twitter Thursday.
"To my peeps across the pond, Happy Boxing Day," Xavier tweeted.
Alex shared a photo of a crowded shopping center, tweeting, "High noon Boxing Day at Eaton Centre."
Some Twitter users posted about their curiosity surrounding Boxing Day, including Donna who quipped, "Is it called boxing day as a suggestion of the best way to settle the inevitable Christmas day arguments?"
Meanwhile, another tradition also takes place in the U.K. on Dec. 26- the Feast of St. Stephen. The event commemorates the preaching and devotion of Saint Stephen who was one of the seven original deacons of the Christian Church.
The day after Christmas is also a day where people prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations, including devising their New Year's resolutions.
Moreover, Kwanzaa kicks off on Dec. 26th.
