The day after Christmas is generally a day to veg out and unwind after all the craziness of the festive season. Some hop on the couch to watch the Boxing Day cricket test or the Sydney to Hobart, some layout by the pool to work on their tan, some flock to the cinema to discover the latest new movie releases, while others stay in and sleep off that Christmas food hangover. For others, however, it is a day to head to the shops or take up a prime position in front of the computer to check out the annual Boxing Day Sale.
As one of Australia’s biggest retail sale events, the Boxing Day Sale is an event that bargain hunters look forward to every year. If you are hoping to score some epic savings on everything from items of clothing and smartphones to vacuum cleaners, Boxing Day is the day to do it. Australians spend millions on Boxing Day sales each year. It is basically our equivalent of America’s Black Friday Sale which has gained quite a bit of momentum over here in recent years.
So, what is Boxing Day and where did it originate? Read on to find out and discover what sort of Boxing Day savings you can score at Shiels.
What Is Boxing Day Overview:
- Boxing Day Meaning
- Where Did The Boxing Day Sale Originate?
- Boxing Day History
- The Best Shiels Boxing Day Sale Deals
Boxing Day Meaning
One of the biggest mysteries of this holiday is why it is called Boxing Day. It’s not as if any boxing matches take place on this day after all (to our knowledge, at least) and most of us wait until the New Year to box up our Christmas decorations…so, what does it all mean? There are conflicting theories about the origins of where the name ‘Boxing Day’ came from. One theory is that the name Boxing Day is derived from Britain in the early 1830s and that it signifies the first weekday after Christmas as well as the date that postal services resume after the holidays naturally resulting in an influx of packages.
Another theory is that it pays tribute to a British custom in which tradesmen would collect Christmas boxes and/or money as a way for people to show their gratitude for their services on the first weekday after Christmas. Similarly, other theories say the name comes from a practice in which wealthy European families would gift their staff boxes filled with Christmas goodies like presents and desserts following all the Christmas festivities. Or the charity collections that take place in Great Britain the day after Christmas which are often collected in special charity boxes.
Where Did Boxing Day Originate?
Boxing Day originated from the United Kingdom in the Middle Ages where it was a day to compensate servants who all had to work on Christmas Day. Today it is an event that is commemorated in many different ways all around the globe including Australia. While there is a lot more emphasis on Boxing Day in Australia and the United Kingdom, there are a handful of countries that observe this holiday the day after Christmas.
Most notably, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Nigeria and South Africa will have a public holiday on this day. In many places, if Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, it is customary to move celebrations to Monday the 27th. This is because in many cultures Sunday is traditionally a day of worship and a day that many people will attend church.
Boxing Day History
During the Middle Ages and some of the Modern Era in Britain, it was expected that servants like maids and servers would meet the needs of the people they worked for first. Naturally, this meant missing the days that were typically spent with family such as Christmas Day. To honour their commitment to their work, wealthy families would allow their servants the day after Christmas off to see their families. So, in essence, Boxing Day became the day that servants would spend time with their families and effectively celebrate their own Christmas. By the early 1700s, people’s values and customs had begun to shift, as did their religious beliefs. As a result, the activities that people got up to on Boxing Day also changed. With all the Christmas festivities over and done with, many people during this period used December 26 as a chance to unwind while others went and hunted for foxes. The day was then officially recognised as a bank holiday (public holiday) in England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 1871 when Queen Victoria added it to the Bank Holidays Act.
Naturally, countries that fell under the British Commonwealth including Australia would follow suit. It wouldn’t be until the late 1990s when the UK’s Prime Minister, John Major, amended Britain’s trading laws. These new laws would allow businesses to trade on Sundays, allowing Boxing Day to become what we know as today, a shopping holiday. Initially starting as a way for retailers to hock off all their excess Christmas stock by selling it at a heavily reduced price, the Boxing Day sales have now become so much more than that. With brands big and small slashing their prices, Boxing Day is not just a chance for people to get something nice for themselves after spoiling everyone else during the festive season, but it's also a chance to spend any Christmas gift cards and for some, exchange any unwanted Christmas gifts. In 2020, Aussies spent a record-breaking $3 billion on Boxing Day sales.
The Best Shiels Boxing Day Sale Deals
With an aim to always provide our customers with the biggest range at unbeatable prices, naturally, you can always rely on Shiels for fantastic deals in the Boxing Day sale. For seven days only, score 50-70% Off* all jewellery under $3000 and 20-50% Off* some of your favourite watch brands including Seiko, G-Shock, Casio, Citizen and more. But that's not all for a limited time you will also score an extra 10% Off* storewide. Here is just a little taste of the great offerings included in Shiels’ Boxing Day jewellery sale.
Sterling Silver Diamond Stud Earring Set with 14 Brilliant Diamonds
Arranged in an elegant cluster setting, these diamond stud earrings are a perfect everyday piece. Whether you are wearing these earrings to work, to run errands or for a night out on the town, you will stand out with this subtle sparkle. Rock these stud earrings with some of the other silver jewellery in your collection, such as a diamond pendant or a stylish silver bracelet.
Sterling Silver Diamond Stud Earrings set with 14 Brilliant Diamonds
$79.99
$249.00
Delight onlookers with these breathtakingly stunning Sterling Silver Diamond Stud Earrings. Embellished with 14 brilliant cut diamonds, it’s sure to add that wow factor to your favourite ensemble.… read more
9ct Yellow Gold 3 Carat Diamond Ring with Brilliant and Tapered Baguette Diamonds
Perfect for the glamazon who likes the finer things in life, this gold ring boasting 3-carats worth of brilliant and tapered baguette diamonds is the definition of opulence. Wear this diamond ring with your best evening dress, along with a fashionable pair of gold earrings and a simplistic diamond pendant.
9ct Yellow Gold 3 Carat Diamond Ring with Brilliant Cut and Tapered Baguette Diamonds
$7,999.00
Dazzle wearing 3 Carats of Diamonds! This 9ct Yellow Gold Ring features 70 sparkling Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and 40 Tapered Baguette Diamonds set in a pear shape cluster to make you the stand out from the crowd.… read more
Sterling Silver 120 Gauge Diamond Cut 45cm Curb Chain
Slightly more pared back than other precious metals, silver is a great choice for Summer particularly when it’s silver chains. Ultra-carefree and versatile, chains are both a jewellery and wardrobe staple. Boasting classic diamond-cut gauge links, this silver chain is a piece that you will love and wear for many years to come. Add your unique touch with an elegant pendant, layer it with the other silver and white gold chains in your collection, or simply wear it on its own with a plain white tee.
Sterling Silver 120 Gauge Diamond Cut 45cm Curb Chain
$129.50
$259.00
This diamond cut curb chain in 45cm is perfect for when you just can't decide. Add your own unique touch with a pendant, or layer the sterling silver chain with other chains.… read more
9ct Yellow Gold Spinning Compass Pendant
Complete with a spinning compass design, this gold pendant is a truly unique potential addition to your wardrobe. Wrapped in subtle brushed gold, this pendant is a great piece of jewellery for everyday wear. Sitting elegantly in the middle of your decolletage, this necklace can be layered with the other pendants and necklaces in your collection or worn on its own with a classic tee or stylish camisole.
9ct Yellow Gold Compass Pendant
$128.99
Add a distinctive touch to your outfit with this 9ct Yellow Gold Compass Pendant that symbolises your love to travel and wander. Whether it's day or night, a fancy event or a formal place, this pendant is the best choice… read more
Sterling Silver Boxed Freshwater Pearl Pendant and Earring Set with 45cm Chain
Adorned with freshwater pearl stones that are the pinnacle of elegance, this sterling silver pendant and earrings set will certainly add a touch of regality to your look. As this set contains the June birthstone it would also make an ideal gift for any of the June babies in your life or simply someone with a thing for timeless styles that will never date.
Sterling Silver Boxed Freshwater Pearl Pendant and Earring Set with 45cm Chain
$199.00
A beautiful set of earrings and necklace with timeless elegance. Our Sterling Silver Boxed Freshwater Pearl Pendant and Earring Set with 45cm Chain is the perfect gift. The glossiness of the white freshwater pearl is the perfect complement to silver.… read more
Don’t miss out on Shiels’ epic Boxing Day Sale. Head in-store or online where you will be treated to a huge range of stock at unbeatable prices. Be sure to take advantage of our various finance options on offer through Afterpay, Zip, humm, Laybuy, Latitude Interest-Free and Klarna. Receive free shipping on orders $69 or more.
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