What is Boxing Day? Your Guide to the Biggest Shopping Day After Christmas
The Ultimate Post-Holiday Shopping Event
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but in many parts of the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the true retail event of the year happens on December 26th: Boxing Day.
Far more than just the day after Christmas, Boxing Day has transformed into a national retail holiday, offering some of the deepest discounts and biggest savings of the entire year. If you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas, or you’re just looking for a deal, this is your day.
From Tradition to Transaction: A Brief History
While Boxing Day is now synonymous with shopping, its origins are far more traditional and philanthropic:
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The Original Meaning: Historically, Boxing Day was a day when servants, tradespeople, and postal workers would receive a “Christmas Box” from their employers. This box often contained money, gifts, or leftover food from Christmas dinner, allowing them a day off to visit family and celebrate.
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A Day for Alms: In a religious context, it was also a day when churches would open their alms boxes—which collected charitable donations throughout the year—and distribute the contents to the poor.
The name, quite literally, comes from the custom of giving or receiving a box. While the charitable spirit remains in many communities, the 21st-century iteration is largely defined by one thing: Sales.
Boxing Day Sales: The Retail Frenzy Explained
How did a quiet day of giving evolve into a massive shopping holiday?
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Inventory Clearance: Retailers use Boxing Day as a crucial opportunity to clear out all remaining seasonal and holiday stock. This rush to empty shelves results in aggressive pricing that often surpasses pre-Christmas sales.
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The Timing: Coming right after the main gift-giving holiday, shoppers are ready to spend cash gifts, use gift cards, or simply buy the big-ticket items they didn’t receive.
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The Comparison: Think of it as the Southern Hemisphere and Commonwealth’s version of Black Friday, but often with even more immediate pressure to move holiday-specific goods.
What Can You Expect to Buy?
The Boxing Day sales are famous for deep markdowns across almost every category:
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Electronics: The biggest deals are often found on TVs, laptops, headphones, and home appliances.
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Fashion & Apparel: Huge discounts on winter clothing, shoes, and accessories, often marking the start of the end-of-season clearance.
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Home & Decor: Seasonal decorations, bedding, furniture, and kitchenware see major price drops.
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Video Games & Media: Expect bundles and sales on games and consoles.
Whether you’re lining up before dawn for a doorbuster deal or scrolling through online offers from the comfort of your couch, Boxing Day is the premier opportunity to snag a bargain before the new year begins.