DECEMBER 26, 2023 | BOXING DAY | Xbox | Nintendo

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.

#BoxingDay

It’s not certain why the day after Christmas in these countries is called Boxing Day. Some say it’s because in Britain a Christmas present is called a Christmas box. On the day after Christmas, servants received a Christmas box from their master. Others say the holiday refers to using a box to collect money for the poor. These boxes were placed inside churches on Christmas Day and then opened the next day.

South Africa renamed the holiday to Day of Goodwill in 1994. Catholics know the day as St. Stephen’s Day. Ireland celebrates Boxing Day along with the Day of the Wren. Also, December 26th is considered the Second Christmas in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.

HOW TO OBSERVE BOXING DAY

In countries observing the holiday, government buildings are closed. Many businesses close for the day, too. However, in many countries, Boxing Day has grown in popularity. Many people exchange gifts or buy merchandise at reduced prices. Because it’s a holiday, many stores close early on this day. For those who aren’t out shopping, they are spending the day with family and friends. It’s a great day to eat the leftovers from Christmas dinner.

More adventurous types take part by wearing fancy dress and jumping into the North Sea. In other parts of the world, traditional Boxing Day Dips raise money for charity.

Participate in the holiday in several ways:

Give to charity.
Attend sporting events or watch on television.
Leave a larger-than-average gratuity.
Provide a special gift for employees.
Save by shopping sales.

Use #BoxingDay to post on social media.

BOXING DAY HISTORY

Since 1871, England, Wales, Ireland, and Canada officially celebrate Boxing Day annually.

A variety of explanations arise regarding the holiday’s origins. Some people point to the song “Good King Wenceslas” as the source of spirit, if not the day itself. According to the song, the 10th-century Duke looked out on his land on St. Stephen’s Day on December 26th and observed a poor peasant. He ordered food, wine, and wood for fuel to be taken to the peasants and called for all Christian men to bless the poor in the same way.

In the Church of England, it was traditional during Advent for churches to display a donation box. After Christmas, churches distributed the box’s contents among the poor. Aristocrats also traditionally gave boxed gifts to their servants and employees.

Most of the events taking place during the modern Boxing Day have little to do with the charity in the stories mentioned. Popular festivities include eating leftovers, soccer games, visiting, and drinking.

There are two types of families over the Christmas period. The family that gathers together for a wholesome afternoon of Monopoly, accompanied by cups of tea and M&S biscuits – and the family kickstarting World War Three over a vigorous battle to the death via the PlayStation.

Boxing Day sales for 2023 are kicking off everywhere, and Amazon has naturally jumped into the fray with deals on just about anything you could think of.

Obviously, we focus on games here and so we’ve started poring over everything Amazon has to offer in video games and other bits. It’s early days still, so thing will no doubt heat up as we get towards the actual boxing day, but for now here’s what we’ve found so far:

AMAZING BOXING DAY SALE 2023

Find all of the Amazon Boxing Day gaming deals here and all of the other tech deals here.

To make the most of Amazon’s deals for this year’s Black Friday sale, including better shipping options and exclusive deals, you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial HERE.

Whatever your itinerary during the Yuletide period, it goes without saying that gaming is a hobby (for some a career) valued by millions. The gaming world is so immense, that it has financially superseded both the music and film industries combined. According to a report from Statista, by the end of 2023, the gaming market is projected to reach a revenue of $249.60 billion (£196.94 billion) and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 9.32 per cent between 2023 and 2028, resulting in a projected market volume of US $389.70 billion (£307.57 billion) by 2028.

Stats aside, there’s no better way to make it through the grey January weather than by cocooning yourself away and escaping into another world. Be it via a VR headset, Nintendo Switch or Xbox, clocking off and switching on is a stimulating couple of hours well spent.

And this can be done either with friends or solo. Perhaps you’re feeling the need for some alone time after the frantic festive season or maybe you want to surround yourself with friends to keep morale high before the SAD blues settle in. Both guarantee downtime well spent.

Discover the best Boxing Day deals on all things gaming and kit yourself out in time for 2024.