# Boxing Day **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380 "2002-08-24T16:20:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/1 "2002-08-24T16:20:13Z")
In this thread I asked about [Christmas crackers](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=128829&highlight=christmas+crackers). These are things I know about, and have participated in using at Christmas parties. But what about Boxing Day? I know that it is the day after Christmas, and I’ve read the definition in the dictionary; but what do you _do_ on Boxing Day? ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/2 "2002-08-24T16:52:23Z")
Q: Why do geeks not know the difference between Halloween and Boxing Day? A: Because 31(hex) = 25(dec) ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/3 "2002-08-24T17:03:55Z")
You messed up a good gag - that’s 31(oct) = 25(dec) ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/4 "2002-08-24T17:51:44Z")
On Boxing Day, you sleep off the effect of Christmas dinner. Also, you play with your new toys, and go to Boxing Day sales. That’s about it, really. ---
**Author:** ![g8rguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@g8rguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g8rguy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/5 "2002-08-24T18:12:26Z")
That, and sing Boxing Day carols… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Toby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@Uncle\_Toby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Toby)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/6 "2002-08-24T19:05:49Z")
If you’re the lord of the manor you box up your leftovers and have them delivered to your poor but devoted retainers. Otherwise you might go to Matlock Bath and throw eggs and flour at people on homemade rafts. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/7 "2002-08-24T19:31:58Z")
Fortunatly, _The Great Escape_ is usually on the telly ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/8 "2002-08-24T19:48:59Z")
It is also called " St. Michael’s Day " because that is when you take that crappy sweater ,that your aunt bought you ,back to Marks and Spencer and get a refund.😉 ---
**Author:** ![EmbarrassingDad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/embarrassingdad/32/5441_2.png) [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/9 "2002-08-25T00:20:18Z")
[http://www.snopes2.com/holidays/christmas/boxing.htm](http://www.snopes2.com/holidays/christmas/boxing.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-day/125380/10 "2002-08-25T06:43:20Z")
As well as the activities mentioned Boxing Day is now associated with sport. There are many horse-race meetings as well as a full programme of football . Also ( although I am loath to mention it ) most of the fox-hunting packs meet and ride on this day.