American Reacts to Canadian Boxing Day Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- It has come to my attention that there is a holiday in Canada and other parts of the world known as Boxing Day, the day after Christmas. As an American who has never heard of this I am very interested in getting to the bottom of what this holiday is all about. If you enjoyed the video feel free to leave a comment, like, or subscribe for more!
Mailing Address:
Tyler E.
PO Box 2973
Evansville, IN 47728
When I was growing up we were very poor . There were seven of us living in a one bedroom house with no indoor plumbing , and a little wood stove in the kitchen. This was during the 1960's. Boxing day was as good as Christmas to us because our neighbours would bring us boxes of food, and small presents . To this day I still consider things like oranges and nuts, and pastries as Christmas food because that was the only time of the year we ever got them!
That's kind of a bitter-sweet story. I hope you're considerably more comfortable now.
Same for me, we were 8 plus mom and dad in 3 bedrooms, outdoor bathroom, cistern so we only had rain water which we pumped, drinking water we had to carry from the neighbours. I was born in 1956 so remember this from the 60s also.
My English nana said oranges were given at Christmas because they were hard to get and came from overseas. My nana was born in 1894.
@@laurabailey1054 That's right, Leonard Cohen alluded to that in his song, Suzanne.
I can relate to Lori and the wonder of ever receiving an orange only at Christmas. Even to this day the smell of an orange brings me back to Christmas when I was a child. I can also recall how my mother would save pennies all year so she could buy some Christmas candy for seven kids.
Boxing Day comes from England. The name comes from foods etc that were boxed up after Christmas from more well off homes to servants and others less well off. As a young adult it was the day (one day only!) when we could all go out and get stuff at 50% off, and merchants would use that day to clear out what didn't sell before Xmas.
I wasn’t aware.. I thought it perfectly reflected some of the stampede-fighting over the last object would be like in the stores on the 26th sales day
When I a kid we learned about that and put it somewhat into practice, in the form of parties that everyone, rich and poor, was invited to. Partied, ate, gave gifts and (adults) drank. They were open house parties and Boxing Day was still the holiday with no sales going on. Sadly the sales and open business resulted in the death of the parties.
@@ruby11 There are still families that carry on this tradition today with open houses and serve baked goods, cheese and crackers, veggi trays, meat trays for sandwiches or other finger foods to snack on. Similar to what some people serve Christmas Eve.
This is the real answer. It's a British tradition going back centuries. And here in BC, Boxing Day is a stat holiday (a paid day off).
@@debbiemorin6082 oh yes, there are still some, mainly in smaller communities. But it used to be an expected part of Christmas literally everywhere - it didn’t matter whether hamlet or big city, there wasn’t a neighbourhood devoid of households hosting it.
Boxing Day is actually called St. Stephens Day. It is the day where you give to the poor. In older times, people would have a party for their servants. They would 'box' up goods, foods and clothing for the poor. If you are familiar with the Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslas, This song is about St. Stevens Day. The King sees a poor man struggling in the snow and both he and his page walk to his home to bring him fuel and food. Now Boxing Day has become a commercial nightmare. We have lost our way in taking time to help the less fortunate.
My first piano Christmas song was Good King.... on the feast of Steven. Great explanation, brings back so many memories of my childhood and what was taught to us. I do not have a piano anymore but am playing in my mind. Happy Holidays Andyxxx
Helping the poor, or being nice to strangers, shouldn’t be just a day or the week before Christmas. It should be on our minds every day!
Stay safe, stay sane, stay Strong, Happy Holidays
@@sirdavidoftor3413 Sir David, the obvious, thank youxxx
Never heard of it referred to as St Stephen's day
@@carolmclean8513 No, it's fallen out of use.
Boxing Day in Canada became a national holiday in 1871, as it did with the UK. In the mid 80’s, stores used to risk being fined to open their doors on that holiday. In the early 90’s the government bowed to public pressure and allowed stores to open. Prior to that Boxing Day was traditionally a day to kick back and relax, from all the stress built up prior to Christmas. Laze around in pj’s, watch Christmas movies or sports, enjoy the gifts you got, the day before, stuff your face with leftovers and goodies. When I was young we would usually visit with friends or they would visit with us….all very laid back. People would also use that day to go skating, skiing, tobogganing or other winter activities.
In Newfoundland and Labrador it is still a shop closing holiday. Our sales don’t start until the 27th.
I used to work on Boxing Day in Canada in the late 80’s. It was at a gas station so we were allowed to be open
@@laurabailey1054 As a nurse or any essential service you are going to end up working on holidays, but they try to be fair about it. If you work over Christmas one year, ypu usually get it off the next year ( same with New Year’s ).
Stores still closed in Nova Scotia. Love boxing day.
As a parent I would say that Boxing Day is the true holiday as you can finally relax and take load off from the busyness of Christmas.
Don’t I wish. We almost never host Christmas, and both my family and my husband’s family like to see us. So often Boxing Day becomes Christmas 2.0 for us since it is often chosen for one of our family’s get togethers.
Boxing Day is an official Holiday that came from boxing up food and sharing it with others . Happy Boxing Day Everyone
As a Canadian, I like to take a week off from work from Christmas Eve to New Years Day. This usually works out well because of the vacation days given as paid holidays. I think this is true for many others.
I had no idea Americans didn’t have Boxing Day till now
I live in Halifax, and am literally on my way to the first World Junior's game of the tournament this afternoon :D Go Canada Go!!!!
Which national team is in town?
Boxing day memories include waiting hours outdoors in winter weather for vinyl record shopping at Sam the Record Man downtown Montreal just to save a couple of dollars (bucks)...sometimes followed by catching a recently released movie. We did this with pleasure and made a day out of it. I am glad we didnt have the online stuff then.
Ah, "Sam the Record Man", the best name in Canadian music.
The last Sam the Record Man is in Belleville, ON
Sam used to take 30% off the entire inventory BUT it was off the full retail price
BUT IT DID CREATE SOME EXCITEMENT FOR ON AVERAGE 10% offffffffffff
I remember standing in line in downtown Toronto at Sam The Record Man and A&A's which were beside each other on Yonge Street to buy discount records. Dont live in Toronto anymore but when I've been back Yonge St just isn't the same without their two huge neon signs.
I really hope Boxing Day isn't just about shopping! Our family hangs out (usually in our PJs) eating leftovers, doing puzzles (or little kids playing with their new toys), and maybe doing something outside like skating, a winter walk, etc. Maybe watching a Christmas movie together. For us, it is a low-stress, family-centred day together.
Agreed. When I was little, the only day you could get great sales was on Boxing Day. Now boxing week starts before Christmas, and there’s so many sales here with Canadian companies trying to pretend we do Black Friday as well, there’s no need to rush out on the 26th!
December 26th was my parents' wedding anniversary, so I always associated Boxing Day as a huge post-Christmas open house with lots of friends and family. People would drop in all day, and then family and very close friends would stay for a huge meal. It was a day of love, laughter and memories. As a teenager, it also meant an early GO train trip to Toronto to line up at Sam the Record Man on Yonge Street to spend my Christmas cash on incredible LP deals. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would do so in a heartbeat, if only to experience a gentler time once more.
I would also turn back time to the old way of doing Boxing Day. I don’t know if you realized it then, being that it was such a special anniversary day personal to your family, that the open house parties were an overall beloved tradition and an important part of the Christmastime celebrations for many families. It’s sad that the tradition is gone and I’ve never, ever bought a Boxing Day sale item - just to spite the fact. LOL
Oh man I miss Sam The Record Man
Boxing Day also gives you an extra day to see family you can’t, or don’t want to, see on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can spend Christmas Eve with your immediate family, your wider family on Christmas Day, and your in-laws or friends for brunch on Boxing Day. Most modern families can make good use of a three-day holiday.
When I was a kid, and I am 66, on Boxing Day we either hosted an open house or went to open houses. Nothing was open. It was a truly family day and allowed everyone to relax after the craziness of Christmas. Boxing Day sales started on Dec 27th. Even if it is not a charity day, I think the quieter more subdues nature of Boxing Day in my childhood are very special memories.
"The name derives from a time when wealthier people boxed up presents as offerings for the poor." Now it's like black Friday.
In Ontario, we have Boxing Day. It is a Statutory holiday that most people have off. I have always had it off work. It’s a nice day to wind down after Christmas if you want some more time to relax. When I was a teenager, I used to go shopping for all the deals!!!
I'm a Canadian and live in Alberta. Even though our province doesn't recognize it as a holiday, some employers do and choose to give their workers the day off with pay. I usually book the week between Christmas and new years off as well. My employer gives us the day off with pay. We usually use it to unwind, relax, buy a few things, and watch movies.
To some extent, by today Boxing Day has become a mini version of US Black Friday - a day to spend gift money received for Christmas. In my youth, it was more a day to exchange unwanted gifts at stores for items better desired or needed. Of course, the idea of 26th Dec being a day for giving to the poor is so long established that the day - also known as the Feast of Stephen - is remembered in old Christmas carols (Good King Wenceslas looked out, remember?). 🎄
Boxing day used to be Black Friday. Great sales. Then Black friday hit Canada and now they are both watered down sales that aren't worth the effort.
Good King Wenceslas was a Chechian king ... and our Jr Canadian hockey team just lost their game to the Chechians. How do I know this?? Had two great exchange students stay at our place for a school year in Canada. They taught me many things, one being St Stephen ... and I was able to tell them Terry Fox was Canadian. ( They knew about him but thought he was an American)
I think it depends on what province you live in. It's still a celebration mostly in Newfoundland.
@@bernadettemcpherson8155 LOL, our hearts broke tonight watching the game. LOL
We "box" treats and presents to give to the poor. Also, Canadians return gifts to the store if they don't fit, are the wrong colour,, are in some way unsuitable. Originally it was St. Wenseslas who inspired this day, (and St. Stephen) Giving boxes of goodies came from the tables of ancient kings to the poor. That's where it all started
When I was growing up until some time during the early 1980’s, Boxing Day was a day for open house parties (at least in BC where I came from). For the day and into the night people would host the parties while the families would go out visiting from one home and onto the next. The goal was to spend time with the people you didn’t see Christmas Eve or the days leading up to , even sometimes getting to invite others to come with - for gift exchange and plenty of eating, meeting new friends and lots of partying. For children, some of the parties had a bit of a “magical” element about them. Then came along the Boxing Day sales and by the time the parties sadly fizzled to expiry, the sales had begun to morph into Boxing week as it is now.
Same here, B.C. was for delivering gifts to friends or those needing a bit more.
Wait a minute, are you saying there's no Boxing Day in the States?!? I learned something new today, thanks.
LOL this is definitely good ole Canadian satire. 99.9% of that was a joke.
I've never gone shopping on Boxing Day, just enjoyed an extra day off.
No, the USA does not have Boxing Day.
Yep they have Black Friday. But Boxing Day was a way for us to give to the poor what stuff we do not need or no longer use. But now it more of going back to return items you got more then one of, or something you do not like. then get what you like at a huge mark down or cleanest.
So yes, boxing Day is sortof like black Friday. All the stores have big sales and huge discounts to get rid of the overstock that didn't sell for Xmas.
Boxing Day was a holiday to give gifts/money to poor people. This isn’t just in Canada. Now it is probably more an equivalent to US Black Friday. Our tradition is not bathing, brushing teeth, not getting dressed, picking food from the fridge and, drinking before lunch! Good times. Good times.
What's so funny is many Canadians used to cross over to Buffalo to shop for cheaper US deals, but it stopped around the 90's as the dollar exchange was no longer worth it.
Who remembers the CD sales on Boxing Day in the 90’s…Toronto was pure sweet chaos.
We give food etc before Christmas to those who need it. They are given in food boxes most often. Gifts for children are also collected, new and wrapped.
I for one never ever go near a shopping place ever on Boxing day. This is the day to unwind after Christmas. And yes eat left overs as anyone will that did have a Large Christmas meal.
PS before I opened your page today, I just knew it would be about Boxing Day. I love watching everyday. Started watching other countries that you also talk about. I also watch your twins site as well. Really enjoy. Thank you!!
Boxing Day has changed over the years. As a child it was anther day my father had off work. Often it was a day for friends to get together at an open house at a neighbour’s home. It was also a day retailers would clear out Christmas stuff for 50%. In the 90’s the really big Boxing Day sales really kicked in, especially with electronics. It’s a great time for kids and teens to shop with Christmas money. Now retailer now have Boxing Week sales or even pre-boxing day sales the week before Christmas. As for charity or it being a day to give to less fortunate people. We have the Christmas Cheer Board in Winnipeg that gathers gifts, food items and money to make sure the less fortunate people and families have a good Christmas. Over the months before Christmas people can buy toys to drop off at places around the city as well as food or money. The Cheer-board has a huge wear house and people volunteer to makeup food baskets and wrap toys that get delivered to people in need. So, I think that kind of charity is done before Christmas more than on Boxing Day now
I concur. In the late 1990's and early 2000's Boxing Day sales for electronics were better than Black Friday. I've bought stuff like a DVR (normally $3600) for $160, and Blu-Ray players for $4.
Tyler learning about Boxing day from a Loading Ready Run video is awesome.
You need to watch more Loading Ready Run videos.
You should check out the Body Break commercials with Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod. "Keep fit and have fun!"
I was shocked that many of my friends exchanged their gifts and got what they wanted on Boxing day. Thanks for teaching me the origin.
I remember that in the 1970s, in Winnipeg, stores opened for sales on December 26. Businesses and government offices and possibly grocery stores were closed but not retail stores. My friends would go to Eaton's or The Bay to buy things that were at least 50% off. These items were usually Christmas related, like wrapping paper, cards, ornaments, artificial trees, etc. Some people would stock up on items to give away the next Christmas. My first experience started later in the 80s when some friends invited me to join them. Getting up that early seemed more like a punishment! It was a shock to see hundreds of people lined up at store doors and then crammed in aisles picking over stuff that had been picked over before. Although, as a Winnipegger I love a good sale, I never did repeat the boxing day experience. There were always items left over the next day with way less people in attendance. I think it wasn't until the 1990s that all the other retailers got involved - due mostly because of the success of Black Friday in the USA.
No stores open here today, Boxing Day, but this whole week is described by the stores as "Boxing Day Sales" week. Its great that the retail staff get 2 days off !
Newfoundland and Labrador?
As a kid, we "boxed up" gifts that had to be returned for a different size or item, and get the sales!
True Canadian story. A few years ago a friend of mine saved up all of his Christmas money so he could buy his dream video card on Boxing Day.
I, of course, volunteered to keep him company. Wanting to be first in line we got up at 5:00 in the morning to bus to the store, bringing a chair thick blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate.
It was -30C, but we were first in line and sat there for an hour and a half waiting for the store to open.
We got the video card on super sale before they ran out. A Christmas miracle.
Today is Boxing Day but we are going to celebrate it tomorrow. We never do the whole "shopping for deals" thing unless we happen to be out in the store anyway. Then we'll buy leftover chocolates at a far cheaper price. Generally, we cook our Christmas Dinner on Boxing Day (for us, it's tomorrow) and then we'll divvy it up to the elderly on the street that don't have ones to celebrate Christmas with. Chocolate is usually placed inside and sometimes a gift or two. Just something to brighten their day up when they think the holidays are all over.
Years ago, Boxing Day was when people used to block up their things they got at Christmas and give used stuff to others or and send thank you notes
Sadly, Boxing Day has evolved into Boxing Week. Still only the 26th off work but the shopping sales go on for a whole week. As a child, I always assumed it was the day we cut up and cleaned up the gift wrap and boxes lol. Also, it WAS the day we all returned our gifts or regifted (gave away) to those we didn’t see over the holidays. Returning gifts on Boxing Day was probably equal to the crazy door rushing shoppers who would fight over the last collector toy that went on sale. Some wise ones celebrate Christmas late so they can buy all the gifts during Boxing Week sales.
you got it! Boxing Day is Canada's Black Friday.
Boxing day in my family was always a day when we packed up food and gifts to take to charitable organizations. Then we would just relax and enjoy the day with anyone who wanted to drop by...lots of friends, food and drink and laughter :) Always a lovely day
Boxing day is my favourite part of the holidays. Christmas Eve is for church, Christmas Day is for kids, gifts, a huge meal, and boxing day is to relax, eat leftovers, play games, etc.
For some Canadians, it's a day to get over a hangover.
Maybe it's the same thing.. with big companies giving people that can't afford things at regular prices a deal?
Years ago, Boxing Day was a holiday and all the stores were closed. It was a day for visiting and /or staying home and playing with the children. The corporations changed that day with their sales . I won’t go shopping on that day because the stores have ruined that special day.
Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario only, so this year we get Monday and Tuesday off (if you are an office worker)
World jr's has been a boxing day tradition for me my whole life
Never knew Americans didn't know what Boxing Day is. You taught me something Tyler!
I just realized that we did a form of Boxing Day this year. Only our son could make it home for Christmas. So we did up packages of Christmas dinner and treats to send back with him, along with their presents, for the missing family members. Some years we have done plates of food and goodies to give to shut- in friends.
In my world, Christmas Day is spent mainly with my immediate family, whereas Boxing Day can be a day off to spend time with extended family and friends, or a chance to kick back and let those who worked hard preparing the Christmas festivities have a well- deserved rest.
Newfoundland also celebrates another Christmas holiday on December 23rd called Tibb's Eve. A lot of our outports are very Catholic, and didn't do much celebrating during advent (this period used to be as strict as Lent). So they'd get together with friends to drink and celebrate before the big event the next day, which you were expected to spend with family.
Some have started calling it "Tip's Eve", because it was expected you wouldn't make it to bed sober (you'd be tipsy, at least).
Public holiday in 8/10 provinces & federal government, includes federally regulated companies (like banks, airlines, railways, telecom companies).
Growing up we went to open house parties on Boxing Day. Lots of appys, roasted ham, beef and turkey served with buns. People drop by for a visit. Have some food and a cocktail. Then onto the next house.
Typically is it a buy-for-yourself shopping day as presents are already bought for Christmas.
The logic behind it is that a a company will keep its prices up for the Christmas rush and then drop them afterwards, hence why boxing day has been a spending spree for Canadians. We do not have the drastic sales on Black Friday here in Canada as there is in the U.S., hence why Boxing Day has been so popular. There are also a ton of items on sale that were not on sale for Christmas.
I live in BC & unless you would in a store, bar or restaurant you get Dec 26 off. As it has been made an official stat holiday if you have to work (somewhere people shop or eat) you get 1.5x pay. Some employers will offer a day off in lieu.
World Junior Championship (under 20 years old) United States Vs.Latvia at 4 today, Canada vs. Chech Republic at 6:30 tonight. The U.S. always has a strong squad, Canada is favoured to win it. Some players have been drafted by NHL teams, it's a show case event for those not drafted. Think of it as a high school senior, freshman college age players. Many an NHL career has been launched at this tournament
Boxing Day used to be an actual holiday in Canada until A&B Sound decided to turn it into a rather wild event where people camped out overnight to be the first in line for crazy sales! I remember getting up at 6 a.m. to get in line for amazing prices on TVs, computers, printers etc. Got a few good deals in the past. Now it’s just no big deal because they have Boxing WEEK sales now.
HERITAGE MINUTES!!!!!!!!!
Am I having Deja Vu, or do I see this comment on every post? 🤔
@@meco4068 I post it every time he uploads a views within 10 minutes (usually) lol
@@mitch019850 well, I fully support your efforts. Heritage Mintues is a great little series
One of the main traditional things done on Boxing Day was that people would leave gifts for various service people to thank them for their service over the year, like their postman, milkman, etc. Since people don't tend to have regular service people any more -- no milk delivery people, no people delivering coal or ice, and if you do have postal workers who "deliver" anything chances are it is a different person each week who pretends you're not home so they don't have to drop a box off at your door and instead leave you a pre-filled card telling you that you need to pick up items at the second or third or fourth closest post office (NEVER the closest). So it has become more of a day of rest for people following the previous day's activities, and stores put on their big sales now that they've won the right to stay open on holidays, to take advantage of people who want to trade in items, spend Christmas money, get the things they really wanted, etc. For the stores it is a final influx of cash, and a way to clear out leftover inventory that didn't sell for Christmas itself when they were selling at more regular prices, before they bring in the new model electronics, white goods, etc.
BTW, Boxing Day is celebrated in many countries with a British influence (Australia, Britain, New Zealand, etc), with the US being the odd duck since when they rebelled against the British, in mulitple ways they threw the baby out with the bathwater.
For some reason, i thought boxing day was also a thing in the US.
Boxing day, being after Christmas is when the stores put rebates on many different items to sell more and get rid of overstock from Christmas holidays. It's a money maker for companies for sure as pretty much all Canadians (myself include) indulge in the "incredible" rebates on items especially electronics, tools, furniture etc.
The best time to buy candy in early November as all the Halloween candy goes on clearance. Boxing day is when all the overstocked items from stores that didn't sell before Christmas go on clearance and you can get really good sales. Boxing day, is typically extended to Boxing "week" and during this time, due to the significant sales, stores typically won't allow returns during this time.
Tyler, you stumbled on the answer. It IS the same thing as our Black Friday!!!
It's pretty common where I am to get gift cards and cash from relatives at Christmas. Then from yur parents as a teen. Going shopping the day after everything opens again with friends, having lunch then a house party is tradition. Lots of people how from away and with the day off still, plus World Junior Hockey starts boxing day so it's a great day!
I didn’t even know the history of Boxing Day and I am a 47 yr old Canadian lol. Thanks! I like your videos.
Boxing Day was the day that servants received a box/ gift from the family. They also had the day off for the most part, after preparing a cold lunch for the family to service themselves. Often the gift was a new uniform. 💖
It makes me feel so old that people know Black Friday more than Boxing Day, since i have always been aware of Boxing Day, yet Black Friday was only acknowledged in Canada within the past 20 years.
I appreciate the reaction video to an old Loading Ready Run skit. I love their channel. If it wasn't clear, this video was never meant to explain Boxing Day, only joke about it. LRR generally makes funny videos, among other things.
Hi there Tyler, great video as usual. I didn't know the origin of Boxing Day, that's pretty cool. As a kid we used to give back on Boxing Day, normally canned/non-perishable goods to the food bank, I still continue this tradition to this day. I have done some Boxing Day shopping in the past and bought some Christmas gifts for the following year, I've also bought things that we didn't get for Christmas that we wanted/liked. I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas and we wish you all the best in 2023.
Years ago it was about boxing up items for the poor and originally came from Britain. When I was a kid we use to exchange items that didn’t fit or we wanted to return to store. Then the stores stopped all returns on Boxing Day and just sold everything didn’t sell before Christmas. Many others just stay home and enjoy holiday leftovers with friends and family you didn’t see before Christmas o and has also become a day to watch hockey tournaments like The Junior hockey tournament and also Spengler cup from Switzerland where teams compete from many countries. It’s a holiday where you can actually just choose what you like to do and gives you an extra day of socializing. This is why Boxing Day can be confusing for anyone as the meaning has changed from Province to Province and some provinces do have Boxing Day at all! I bet your more confused then ever now! Lol ! All in all it’s just an extra day to eat, drink, and be merry❤ and do as you chose whether you relax with friends or family watching sports or movies or just shop till you drop! I love your video’s as they always make me laugh at myself and my fellow Canadians and also chuckle at the Americans who are just baffled or do not know about Canadian Culture and often are amused by what they learn etc in a good way! This can work both ways as we learn about each other’s similarities and differences in a respectful and entertaining way. Keep up these video’s as they are awesome! 🎉
Lmao great video!
When I was young, no stores were open on Christmas day or boxing day, so the shopping only started in the latter 20 years of the 20th century.
I dont remember the shopping trend until at least the 80s.
Mostly done in the cities where stores started liquidating things they did not sell.
For our family, it is a day for relaxing , playing with our gifts (especially for moms & dads now that all the stress & work for xmas is done), hanging out with family & friends, getting all the boxes & wrapping cleaned up, LEFTOVERS, desserts, and eating our chocolate/candy from our stockings. (Everyone still gets Santa in our house from young to old)
None of our family goes shopping.
Boxing Day is a really cool day. Christmas can be a very busy and active day, but on Boxing Day you have a day to relax and enjoy the holidays, but more. As a kid you have all these great new toys to enjoy. As an adult you get to go out and buy many more great items on sale. Watching world junior hockey is a holiday tradition. Best of all there is lots of left over turkey and eggnog to enjoy.
Hi Tyler .... When I was a kid boxing day to our extended family and friends was a day to go visiting and that what most did. Back then stores were CLOSED on boxing day. We had the day AFTER boxing day sales. The times have changed for sure. Nice that you are so interested in learning about your neighbours to the north. Canadians, because of TV actually know more about USA. Take care and hope your holiday season is wonderful.
As a child growing up in Canada there was no shopping on boxing day. All the stores were closed. It was a time for us to continue celebrating Christmas with extended family and friends. Indoor activities might be playing games, cards, eating, drinking, and exchanging gifts. Outdoor activities might be ice skating or tobogganing.
Merry Christmas Tyler! When I was a young child, on the 26th, we had to wrap one of our gifts or toys to give to children not as fortunate as we were. These were collected by volunteers and distributed to needy families. When I was a teenager, stores would open on the 26th so we could return gifts that were defective, too big, the wrong color or just not what we wanted. Store owners would take advantage of the occasion to liquidate their surplus inventory of wrapping paper,s Christmas cards and ornements and light sets at half price (you were then all set for next X-Mas!). Now Boxing Day is a mad rush to stores for bargain shopping. Not as charming and less pleasant!
In Québec, we do have two notable newer traditions though. 1- La Guignolée which is a charitable organisation that sends volunteers around to your house, all around town, in mid-December to collect non-perishable goods and toys. Other volunteers will sort and package these offerings to be distributed to families in need. I used to volunteer at collecting or at the sorting station when my boys were young so they would be aware that not everyone was as fortunate as they were. 2- Nez Rouge (Red Nose): organised volunteers, and there is no shortage of these, offer their time and their car during all of December to pick-up those who partied too much. They come in twos or threes, get you in their car and one of them will follow, driving your car back home too. It is a free service but most people give a big, huge tip. It is fun to participate and keeps our roads safer.
We have also had a Canadian version of Black Friday that occurs the week of Canadian Thanksgiving (in October, varies based on the date of the harvest moon). Its origins are ancient & based on giving thanks for the harvest just ended letting the gods know you are grateful & hopefully getting in their good books for the next growing season. This ancient tradition is celebrated under many different names throughout most of the world. It remains about giving thanks for the bounty received & is a community event. Only the US changed the date of one of the oldest traditions in the world to coincide with when they stole a country from its inhabitants & ended up killing most of them, some by disease, many on purpose. Americans are not alone in the atrocities that ended up giving many of us the countries we now consider home we all share that dark history, we don’t celebrate it. Back to sales, we get the same deals as you do on Black Friday (the name is spot on) but earlier. It’s a great chance to start the Christmas shopping. Since 2010 or so Canadian retailers started countering the run for the border with Canadian Black Friday which gives us two equally good sales before Christmas (Amazon goes all out on both although I find the best deals are during Amazon Canada’s October Prime Days). Boxing Day used to have amazing sales & lots of lining up minus the violence which seems to accompany Black Friday. It’s been going down hill for awhile and except for the odd non bait & switch offer or Amazon Prime Boxing Day, it’s hasn’t been worth the trouble in years. However even before Covid natural disasters started to bring back the giving & charity aspect of the day and many communities now have events organized on Boxing Day where you can drop off boxes of items needed in your area or to be sent in response to a crisis. There are options to donate funds as well. It’s a nicer way to end the holiday season giving to those in need (we have a lot of pre Christmas toy, food, clothing & blanket drives as well.
One other aspect of boxing day that I remember from my youth was that it was a day when people returned unwanted or damaged gifts to retail outlets for money back or item exchange. This I remember from the 50's and early 60's.
Before 1992 stores that opened on Boxing Day would be fined, where did you live??
@@cheryla7480 I lived in New Toronto Ontario and I do remember this, I was a kid and I may be thinking of the following day. I do know that stores were closed on Sundays.
And happy Boxing Day to you, Tyler. My fondest Boxing Day memories are of the Boxing Day harness races. Lots of people who don't usually go the track and are hunch-betting like mad, so you often get long odds on good horses. Then you go home and have the leftover meal. Alas, I have to miss today's 15-race program here. But I have my memories.
Over the years it has definitely evolved into a sort of Black Friday type of shopping holiday although it's always been known that there were little stock of the items people actually wanted thus the big lines hours before the stores opened before the era of online shopping. Nowadays Boxing Day is similar to Black Friday in that it doesn't last one day, it's more like a vague week long event, some places will start their deals on the night of the 24th. But there's still some nice charitable events too, that follow the concept of giving to the less fortunate or lonelier people like in elder homes where they will serve food and maybe give small gifts. One of my friends usually uses the day to make sandwiches or some type of lunchbox to gift to the many homeless in town.
Where I live in Winnipeg we have what is called the Christmas Cheer Board that gives food like a turkey and gifts for kids to low income families during the holidays.
In England, servants used to be provided with a sealed box into which all their tips for the year were placed . They were allowed to break into it and take the money and gifts of food leftovers from their employers to their families. In the name of St Stephen charitable gifts were given to the poor.
The Boxing Day shopping thing mostly became a thing in the last 20 to 30 years. When I was young on Boxing Day we would go and visit friends and family members, who were not present on Christmas. On Christmas, we would have our big meal at around noon, then for dinner we would have cheese, crackers and the like. Then after dinner we would go for a car ride and look at Christmas lights. I grew up on Vancouver Island. On Dec. 31, I will be 59, so I'm mainly talking about the 70's and 80's. Back then I don't remember Boxing Day Sales being a thing.
Happy Boxing Day Mr Bucket or Rumple of whatever your name is!! Lol!! I think your videos are awesome, no matter what your name!! I hope to see more of the vids you make with your brother! I’m missing those!!! They were super fun!!
I once read that Boxing Day got it's name in England centuries ago when wealthy people would box up their old clothes and possessions that they no longer needed after getting new ones for Christmas and the items were given to the poor. Prior to that it was called The Feast of Steven or St. Steven's Day
I can say as a canadian i have just lerned somthing new about boxing day also i have lerned things i did not know before wile watching this channel. We are lerning together :)
These days, at least in my city, lower income families can apply for a Christmas hamper for Christmas. They get a small turkey and food for a christmas dinner and usually has one gift for each child. They are delivered right before Christmas.
For me, Boxing Day is pie for breakfast, doing up yesterday’s dishes in my P.J’s, turkey sandwich and more pie for lunch (in my P.J’s), doing nothing in the afternoon (P.J’s optional), leftovers for dinner, more pie, and a relaxing evening in my P.J’s.
I went boxing day shopping once and never again. Not a fan of the giant crowds lol
When I was a kid, boxing day always meant celebrating with the cousins on my mom's side of the family. Xmas eve was with my dad's side, Xmas day was my parents and us, and then boxing day was mom's side. The origin story of boxing day is really nice
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated 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. Wikipedia
Date: Monday, December 26, 2022
Event Length: 1 Day
Also called: Offering Day
Observed by: Commonwealth nations
My family would have Christmas Day together, and then on Boxing Day all the extended family would get together at my aunt's house.
I was born early 70's in a little town in Quebec, and for me, boxing day was never a "holiday", it was just a version of what today's Black Friday is...it was just a day after Christmas with HUGE specials, like 50% to 75% off items. For my mom, it was called, stay away from stores cuz there's crazy people lolololoo
Nicely done. :). Wonder if there's already a video on the softwood lumber dispute and stumpage fees. It was a big deal in Canada, a lot of ppl were talking about it, but when I lived in the USA no one there had a clue.
News Years Day is a huge day in The Maritimes in Canada . I know in most places , it's New Years eve , but here in The Canadian Maritimes , it's New Years Day because of The New Years Levy . It is a huge party where you get a free moose milk and celebrate the day with food , music and friends . Check it out lad :)
I know Boxidus, I praise him everything the items I want are on sale ;)
But what Boxing Day means to me is 3 things.. 1) time and a half, you get paid extra for volunteering to work that day. 2) whatever you want is probably at its lowest price it’ll be so nows the time to get everything you want/need. 3) it’s a way for the corporations to clear out their products to make room for the new stuff coming in the new year.
Boxing day is not like black Friday - no one gets up early and lines up to get the deals - All the good stuff was bought just before Christmas. It's more like getting 70-90% off Christmas stock for next year or cheap gifts (save away for next Christmas), and exchange the stuff you don't want. The biggest Draw for boxing day is leftover Turkey and World juniors hockey, relaxing after the bustle of Christmas and just generally having a great time.
Canada's men's and women's teams won the Gold Medal 🏅 in this year's tournaments. Both won for the second consecutive year.
Here in BC there's a city that also has "Wrestling Day". It's pure tongue in cheek but it's also an official municipal holiday. It's on Dec 27th. No lie.
Boxing Day is a holiday where the Boxing Day sales starts and the stores are open and all the Christmas Stuff is 50% to 75% off to get rid of Christmas Cards, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations and Christmas trees. Other items are on sale. I live in Canada. People go shopping at stores.
I like to use Boxing Day to clean out my closets for clothes and items that I no longer like/use, so I can donate them to make room for my new items. Also, IIHF World Junior Hockey starts that day, so I often get together with friends/family to watch hockey and have a few drinks.
Wait, the US doesn't have boxing day? Dang. I had no idea. It used to be a huge deal, still is to a point. People plan Christmas, boxing day, and New year's
another good one dude
So the reason Boxing day is out savings day is because throughout november and december stores hike up prices on everything that people want to buy for christmas, like toys and electronics. But after christmas all the prices drop back down to normal. Savvy parents use the day to pick up anything they missed from the day before. Stores got wind of this wave of shopping and decided instead of making everythign normal priced, they'd put it all on sale, pulling in even more customers and makign more money.
When I was a kid in the 60's and 70's I couldn't understand what boxing (the sport) had to do with Christmas lol. We celebrate it as a time to relax with family and friends. We do not wait for boxing day to help the poor and needy.
You know, I think it would be a good day to go around and collect for the poor and homeless. Like a week before let people know you’ll come around then on Boxing Day you go around the city and people can give change, cans, old clothing or toys, etc