Following the Christmas festivities, a day known as Boxing Day arrives on 26 December 2025. Many may know it as an extra holiday after Christmas, or a time for massive holiday discounts. But do you know what that day actually means and why we celebrate it? What are the origins of Boxing Day? And how do people celebrate this unique holiday.
If you’re curious about what Boxing Day actually is all about then you’re not alone. Every Christmas gathering in Malaysia there is bound to be that one person who asks out loud what this holiday is about, followed by awkward silence. Well, read on to be that one person who knows what this holiday is!
Everything you need to know about Boxing Day (26 December)
The varied origins of Boxing Day
One of the two leading theories behind this holiday is that it originated from the days of the English aristocracy in the 19th century. Lords of the manor would distribute boxes of gifts to the servants and the workers of the house the day after Christmas. This was a token of appreciation (what we call a bonus) for their hard work during the year.
Another theory is that Boxing Day was named after the boxes of donations placed in churches to be distributed after Christmas. During the Advent season, churchgoers would give monetary or physical alms for the poor. The church leaders would hand out the offerings to the poor on 26 December. This was part of Saint Stephen’s Day, a holiday to commemorate the death of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, a story recorded in the book of Acts.
This is why Boxing Day is also Saint Stephen’s Day in European countries like Hungary, Italy, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The two festivities are celebrated on the same day and is declared a public holiday.
The modern festivities of Boxing Day
Today, Boxing Day is usually a public holiday in many countries in Europe. It’s a day to rest after the chaotic Christmas festivities and a time to consume whatever is leftover from Christmas Day, preventing wastage. It is common for households to eat whatever is left from the previous night’s feast or to give it away to the needy.
In the UK and Canada, Boxing Day is also a day for shopping discounts. Many shops and retailers will offer dramatically slashed prices and will open as early at 5AM. It is common to see long queues of shoppers outside malls waiting to get their hands first on what they missed from their wishlist. Similar to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in America.
The significance of Boxing Day in Malaysia
While Malaysia doesn’t technically celebrate Boxing Day, many do take leave across the Christmas week anyway. Thus the holiday is celebrated in multiple ways. For most, it is a time for families and communities to gather around for yet another feast. Except, this time consisting of leftover food from their respective Christmas gatherings.
Like in the UK and Canada, Boxing Day sales exist in many malls across Malaysia. Inevitably there are those who are looking for even better prices than Christmas holidays, flocking to the malls for the best prices. It is also the time to get any last gifts for the year-end and return any gifts they may have otherwise not used. Boxing Day discounts are common for big retailers and beauty brands. Currently, there are major discounts set for outlets like Harvey Norman and AEON, and beauty brands like L’Occitane.
Meanwhile, for some Malaysians, it is a day of remembrance of the Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami of 26 December 2004. The waters struck the Northern coastal states of Langkawi and Penang hardest. 67 Malaysians lost their lives in the wake the floods, and memorials are usually held in the victim’s respective communities.
(Hero and feature image credit: Unsplash/Ma Boîte A Photos)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.