Boxing
Day is a holiday celebrated the day
after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide. Though
it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is
primarily known as a shopping holiday. It originated in the United Kingdom and
is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the British Empire.
Boxing Day is on 26 December, although the attached bank holiday or public holiday may
take place either on that day or one or two days later (if necessary to ensure
it falls on a weekday). Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Christian
holiday Saint Stephen's Day.
In parts of Europe, such as Bulgaria, Catalonia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Scandinavia, 26 December is celebrated as a second Christmas Day.