December 26 is a day off for most workers where it's a state holiday. In places where it's not a public holiday, most families use up a vacation day, as most schools are closed. US presidents have given federal government workers either a full or half day off in some years.
Traditionally the day after Christmas is a day to help those poorer and less fortunate than yourselves. People would pack boxes (where the name comes from) with gifts and food to give to the homeless, orphanages, hospitals etc. These days people either donate to charity or help out at a homeless shelter etc.
People around the world celebrate Boxing Day on December 26. Although Americans don't recognize Boxing Day as a holiday, people in many other parts of the world, including Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Australia, look forward to the day after Christmas each year.
Boxing Day was once a day to donate gifts to those in need, but it has evolved to become a part of Christmas festivities. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in several Commonwealth nations.
Why is December 26th called Boxing Day in America?
Explanations for the origin of the name have varied, with some believing that it derived from the opening of alms boxes that had been placed in churches for the collection of donations to aid the poor. Others, however, have held that it came from the boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas.
In some years where December 25 falls on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, various presidents have issued executive orders declaring a one-time holiday on either Christmas Eve (December 24) or the Day after Christmas (December 26), to provide federal workers with a longer weekend.
It's typical for families to invite others over to enjoy a casual lunch made from Christmas Day leftovers. Many will also head out to stores to shop post-Christmas sales or make exchanges and returns. Traditionally, sporting events include horse races, foxhunting, and rugby, according to Britannica.
In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved a number of federal holidays to Mondays. The change was designed to schedule certain holidays so that workers had a number of long weekends throughout the year, but it has been opposed by those who believe that those holidays…
Which Australian state/territory has the most public holidays in 2025? The ACT and Victoria benefit from the most full-day public holidays in Australia, with 13 days off in 2025. The NT and SA both have 12 days off, with additional part holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Federal employees in the Washington, DC, area are entitled to a holiday on the day a President is inaugurated on January 20th for each fourth year after 1965.
What is the day after Christmas December 26th called in the United Kingdom and several other countries?
BOXING DAY. Every year on December 26th, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries celebrate Boxing Day. This annual custom began in the United Kingdom in the 19th century under Queen Victoria.
Do Americans celebrate Christmas on the 24th or 25th?
25 December is the main Christmas holiday for Americans, also known as “Christmas Day”. The evening of the 24th (“Christmas Eve”) is usually for any last-minute preparations like gift wrapping, decorating or baking.
A vacation (American English) or holiday (British English) is either a leave of absence from a regular job or school or an instance of leisure travel away from home. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances or for specific festivals or celebrations.
Winter Break: Around two weeks in late December to early January. Spring Break: A one-week break, usually in March or April. Summer Break: A long break lasting about 8-12 weeks, typically from late May or early June to mid-August or early September.
As Robert Hiscock, the writer behind a blog called Product of Newfoundland, explains, it's based on an old calendar error. "It's called Old Christmas Day because once upon a time we followed a different calendar, and that calendar was wrong," Hiscock told CBC News.
Boxing Day / St Stephen's Day / 26th December is also a public holiday in other countries such as the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (If Christmas is at the weekend, normally the next working day is made into a public holiday as a 'substitute' for Boxing Day).
The U.S. is one of the few English-speaking countries — and former British colonies — that doesn't celebrate Boxing Day. In fact, when Christmas falls on a weekday, it's just another day and employees head back to work.
In Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, December 26th is known as Boxing Day. This is because, traditionally, servants and tradesmen were given gifts in boxes from their masters and clients on that day. In modern times, Irish people often spend December 26th relaxing.
