No Boxing Day? Say What?

I recently learned that Boxing Day isn't widely observed in the U.S.A.! For a Canadian, that's wild. Let me backtrack . . .

In Canada (and the Commonwealth in general), we call December 26th "Boxing Day." The name's origins are disputed. Some people claim it has something to do with alms boxes in which money was deposited for the poor, others believe it's named for the boxes of gifts (often Christmas leftovers) that the wealthy traditionally gave to poorer employees, and still others think it refers to packing up Christmas trappings in boxes after the holiday. Everybody agrees that it has nothing to do with punching people.

Today, it's a holiday in its own right. In Canada, federal employees get a day off, and some entire regions make it a formal day of rest for everybody. Well, almost everybody, because in retail, Boxing Day is like Black Friday in the U.S.A.! People line up outside shops – even in Canada's famous winter weather – to snag ridiculously good deals when the doors open, which is often super-early (I once lived facing a store that opened at 5 a.m.). Some areas forbid this . . . but that just moves the crazy sales to December 27th. And while Black Friday threatens to replace Boxing Day, merchants have been fighting back by declaring an entire Boxing Week.

So, if you're in Canada for Christmas, don't be surprised if you're kicked out of bed by your hosts in the wee hours to go stand in face-freezing weather to get a half-price TV. Me, I'll be sleeping in.

-- Sean Punch