Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Christmas & Boxing Day

It is no surprise to learn Canada celebrates Christmas on December 25th pretty much the same way as we do here in the USA - trees, decorations, gifts, Nativity scenes, time with family, etc. I would have been surprised if Canada did not celebrate Christmas.

But, I have been very happy to learn about Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26th and is not a holiday we celebrate here in the USA - this is what I've learned . . .

• Boxing Day is rooted in British traditions, it is most famously known as the country's biggest retail shopping day of the year, akin to Black Friday in the United States.
• The name originates from the custom of wealthy employers and business owners boxing up Christmas leftovers, gifts, or bonuses to give to their servants and working-class employees on the day after Christmas.
• Another historical tradition involves the opening of alms boxes in churches, where collected coins were distributed to the poor.
• Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday only in Ontario and for federally regulated industries across the country
  . In most other provinces, it is a public holiday, though rules vary. 
  It is not a statutory (paid) holiday in Alberta or British Columbia, where it is generally considered a normal working day.Canadians flock to retail stores and major malls (like the Toronto Eaton Centre or West Edmonton Mall) to take advantage of massive deep-discount sales. Many retailers continue these discounts throughout the rest of the week, often referred to as Boxing Week.
• It is a major day for sporting events, particularly hockey, as it traditionally marks the opening day of the IIHF World Junior Championship, a highly anticipated event for Canadian hockey fans.
• Many people still use the day to volunteer, donate, or hand out care packages to those in need.
• 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 is widely treated as a public holiday for resting, eating leftovers, and gathering with friends or watching sporting events like horse racing and soccer. 

I love the idea of a day to do something to help others AND spend time with family, too, so Boxing Day sounds great to this "Lost Canadian"! You will find out more about Boxing Day at this link.

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