Why we celebrate Boxing Day after Christmas

Australian Community Media

Ever wondered why Boxing Day is a public holiday in Australia? Find out the surprising origins of Boxing Day and why it’s a uniquely Aussie and ‘Commonwealth’ tradition.

Transcript

00:00Christmas in Australia is all about family, a feast and festive cheer, but why do we celebrate

00:09Boxing Day?

00:12Boxing Day is a uniquely Aussie and Commonwealth tradition that originated in Britain during

00:17the Victorian era.

00:20It was known as a day when servants received Christmas boxes of gifts or leftovers from

00:25their employers after Santa's big arrival.

00:30Today also became a time to give to the poor, with churches distributing their alms boxes

00:36of charity donations on the 26th to help those in need.

00:41Today Aussies now spend it unwinding, hitting the sales and cinemas, or cheering on the

00:47Test Cricket or the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

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