Should Boxing Day be a US holiday?

[Praying Colonel]

Those who have to work tomorrow, I salute you. I think we should have the day after Christmas Day as a holiday, too. What say you?

 

[Mercdesman]

I say I agree!!!

 

[Southernmiss]

The US definitely needs more national holidays and days off.

Though, many people I know save PTO to use between Christmas and New Years

 

[Micca]

Hell yes!

 

[lanejudy]

My office usually closes for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Since Christmas Eve was a Sunday this year we get both Monday and Tuesday off.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Yes, it should be!

 

[CynBeth]

My office usually closes for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Since Christmas Eve was a Sunday this year we get both Monday and Tuesday off.

They gave us Friday off for Christmas Eve I wish we had tomorrow instead.

 

[tvguy]

The US definitely needs more national holidays and days off.

Though, many people I know save PTO to use between Christmas and New Years

LOL, yeah 11 Federal holidays aren't enough. 12 in years that we inaugurate a President.
Not that I am bitter as someone who worked jobs for 42 where holidays were never days off. Didn't know any better I guess as my mom was a nurse in a hospital and holidays weren't days off for her either when I was growing up.

 

[sadiecatie]

Absolutely - I remember last year the 26th was off since Christmas fell on Sunday and it was so nice. My family hosted Christmas and everyone else left that morning to head home, and we just had a relaxed day at home. It was fantastic. This year we’ll be driving 10 hours tomorrow instead

 

[sam_gordon]

I answered "other", simply because there wasn't a "no". I've also worked in television and had to work holidays. We generally go to the movies on Christmas Day (saw Wonka today), so know others "work".

IMO, if you feel Boxing Day needs to be a recognized holiday, convince your company to give you the day off.
If you want the day after Christmas off, request it as a day off, like you would for July 5, the day after Thanksgiving, or the Tuesdays after Memorial Day/Labor Day.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Uhh…what are we celebrating on Boxing Day? Did anyone explain?

 

[tvguy]

I guess it could happen. They added June Teenth as a holiday in 2021, so apparently there is no concern about how many holidays there are.

 

[Imzadi]

Uhh…what are we celebrating on Boxing Day? Did anyone explain?

I don't think anyone cares. They just want the day after Christmas off.

 

[Southernmiss]

The United States is on the low end of number of national holidays compared to nations around the world.

Most everyone has 'essential' personnel in their families who must work holidays. Like others we adjust as many of our celebrations to other days/time as possible to include them. 2 of my own kids are healthcare workers, bil was a firefighter, we have military, nurses, etc. I work at a church, so religious holy days require extra work from me on Christmas and Easter, etc.

Admittedly, I do not take as many vacation days as I am allotted and still have about 3 weeks worth accumulated from this and previous years (especially the Covid year when I took very little vacay when travel and getting in crowds was discouraged).

But, Americans also are some of the most unhealthy population in the world because of our work ethics. My own father died on the job when working OT on a Saturday at age 38 of a heart attack.

If we were encouraged and had fill in personnel, even the essential workers could take more holidays.

So yes, I'm all for additional holidays on our national calendar, especially at December holiday time when people are very busy with preparing (we hosted 20+ last night) celebrating, and visiting multiple sets of family in town and out of town (we will go visit grandma #3 by driving 7 hours away later this week).

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Uhh…what are we celebrating on Boxing Day? Did anyone explain?

Boxing Day, December 26 is a UK holiday day. It got its name from the boxes of gifts that the UK aristocracy used to give to their servants, and the poor people in their local areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day

In Ireland and other European countries December 26 is known as St Stephens Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen's_Day
It is the second day of Christmastide and is celebrated in honour of one of the first Christian martyrs, Saint Stephen, who was stoned to death in 36 AD.

In Irish language it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the Wren Day. When used in this context, "wren" is often pronounced "ran". This name alludes to several legends, including those found in Irish mythology, linking episodes in the life of Jesus to the wren. People dress up in old clothes, wear straw hats and travel from door to door with fake wrens (previously real wrens were killed) and they dance, sing and play music. This tradition is less common than it was a couple of generations ago. Depending on which region of the country, they are called "wrenboys" and mummers. A Mummer's Festival is held at this time every year in the village of New Inn, County Galway, and Dingle in County Kerry. Mumming is also a big tradition in County Fermanagh in Ulster.

Nowadays Saint Stephen's Day is a popular day for visiting family members , going to the pub, going for walks on the beach, in a park or in the mountains. It has also become the Irish equivalent of Black Friday, with many big box stores and department stores have sales. There is also a big National Hunt Horse Racing Festival in Dublin, which many people go to.

In both UK and Irish December 26 is a Bank Holiday, which is the equivalent of a Federal Holiday in America.

 

[ozliz]

Boxing Day, December 26 is a UK holiday day. It got its name from the boxes of gifts that the UK aristocracy used to give to their servants, and the poor people in their local areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day

In Ireland and other European countries December 26 is known as St Stephens Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen's_Day
It is the second day of Christmastide and is celebrated in honour of one of the first Christian martyrs, Saint Stephen, who was stoned to death in 36 AD.

In Irish language it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the Wren Day. When used in this context, "wren" is often pronounced "ran". This name alludes to several legends, including those found in Irish mythology, linking episodes in the life of Jesus to the wren. People dress up in old clothes, wear straw hats and travel from door to door with fake wrens (previously real wrens were killed) and they dance, sing and play music. This tradition is less common than it was a couple of generations ago. Depending on which region of the country, they are called "wrenboys" and mummers. A Mummer's Festival is held at this time every year in the village of New Inn, County Galway, and Dingle in County Kerry. Mumming is also a big tradition in County Fermanagh in Ulster.

Nowadays Saint Stephen's Day is a popular day for visiting family members , going to the pub, going for walks on the beach, in a park or in the mountains. It has also become the Irish equivalent of Black Friday, with many big box stores and department stores have sales. There is also a big National Hunt Horse Racing Festival in Dublin, which many people go to.

In both UK and Irish December 26 is a Bank Holiday, which is the equivalent of a Federal Holiday in America.

Australia also has Boxing Day and lots of sales for those looking to shop. When I was a student in casual jobs I often worked a very long shift on Boxing Day if I could get it. Was great pay! Now I have an office job I am happy having the day off.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Yes, it would nice to have that extra day for recovery.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Yes.

 

[Babs Johnson]

No. Take it off on your own if your employer offers PTO. Or take it off without pay if allowed.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Should we start a petition to Congress?