For most of us, the day after Christmas is a day to relax and enjoy the company of friends and families, play with our newly acquired toys, try on new clothes, play games and watch the new movies just received from Santa.
However, for many around the world, the day after Christmas is a frenzied shopping extravaganza eagerly anticipated by hearty hearted bargain hunters. In Canada, England, New Zealand, most of Australia and many other countries around the world, it is Boxing Day.
Boxing Day, Dec. 26, is a holiday in countries that have primarily a Christian populous. Originally, the day was a celebration honoring St. Stephens. St. Stephens day was originally celebrated on Dec. 27. In Greece, Boxing Day is celebrated on Dec. 26, but that varies in other countries.
Traditionally, Boxing Day was a day when the wealthy gave gifts to those less fortunate than themselves after the religious Christmas festivities.
In these modern times, Boxing Day is a day for bargain hunters to head back out to the stores in anticipation of great deals on merchandise.
Many stores open early and cut prices on holiday inventory. Here in the United States, Boxing Day is not celebrated, but there are plenty of shoppers that charge back into the malls and shops seeking deals on everything from Christmas decorations to automobiles.