Everyone appreciates a good sale. As a result, specific dates and times have been set aside to allow shops to sell products at reduced prices. Boxing Day, as well as Black Friday, are the most well-known shopping days.
While Black Friday has been initially enjoyed primarily in the United States, it has since evolved into a global event. Boxing Day would be widely celebrated in Canada.
Key Takeaways
- Black Friday is an American shopping holiday that occurs the day after Thanksgiving, while Boxing Day is a British holiday on December 26th.
- Both holidays feature discounts and sales on various products, but Black Friday sales are more extensive and better advertised.
- Black Friday is associated with the beginning of the holiday shopping season, while Boxing Day marks the end and the beginning of post-holiday sales.
Black Friday vs Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on the 26th of December. It originated as a holiday to give gifts to poor people but now this day offers massive discounts on several products. Black Friday also offers sales. It is observed on a Friday that follows Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.
Black Friday is the day following the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, which has historically been a celebration in and of itself for several staff members.
It is traditionally a day replete with amazing retail prices and great deals, and it marks the start of holiday sales. Electronics, gadgets, and other Christmas presents are heavily discounted in stores.
The name goes back to the days when the wealthy would package gifts to help the poor. Boxing Day was historically a holiday for servants, on which they earned a particularly unique Christmas package from their rulers.
On Boxing Day, the workers would also return home to deliver Christmas cartons to their households.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Black Friday | Boxing Day |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrated on | The day after Thanksgiving | 26 of December |
| Place of Origin | The USA | The UK |
| Countries celebrated | USA, India, France | UK, Tobago, New Zealand |
| Activities | Shopping affair | Sports activities |
| Date of Origin | 1869 | 1833 |
What is Black Friday?
The day following Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. To launch off the festive period, retailers provide great deals on Black Friday. A day after Thanksgiving is referred to colloquially as Black Friday.
Because it marks the beginning of the holiday season, it is frequently the largest retail day of the year. This is a critical season for the economy, particularly for some retail outlets, such as jewelry shops.
Black Friday is a day of purchasing during the holiday season. Having a lucrative Black Friday is crucial for many retail outlets, especially stuffed animals and game shops.
Some retailers begin Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day, as well as pacts last all weekend. Surprisingly, the finest Black Friday deals aren’t on Black Friday.
Many vendors, including Amazon, are starting to offer sales early these days. Traditionally, black has been affiliated with times of economic stress rather than times of thriving business potential.
The very first Black Friday took place in 1869 when funder Jay Gould and rail line business tycoon James Fisk tried to sideline the gold market, causing financial anxiety and the industry to collapse.
A little more than half a century later, on October 29, 1929, some other stock market crash known as Black Tuesday signaled the beginning of the Great Depression.
About ten years later, Philadelphia traffic wardens used the term “Black Friday” to define the day after Thanksgiving as they had to work 12 hours on congested roads. Visitors descended on the city to begin their holiday shopping.
What is Boxing Day?
The phrase “Boxing Day” was coined in 1833, but its official origin was never ascertained.
The name alludes to holiday gifts. Boxing Day was customarily a day off for helpers as well as the day on which they earned a Christmas present from their supervisor.
On Boxing Day, the laborers would also return home to give presents to their family members. The name alludes to charity drives.
A collection box for the underprivileged that is traditionally positioned in churches on Xmas Day and set up the following day, or Boxing Day.
The name alludes to a nautical custom. Ships would set sail with a sealed box comprising money for better good fortune.
If the journey was successful, the box was provided to a pastor, decided to open at Christmas, and thus the components were distributed to the poor. Boxing Day is a period for some folks to devote to relatives.
Many individuals will assemble for lunches, spend time outdoors, or take a break at home and take advantage of the day off.
Baked salami, macaroni cheese, and crumpets with cognac butter are conventional Boxing Day dishes, along with a piece of Christmas pudding or another pastry.
Furthermore, Boxing Day has lately become equated with sports viewing.
Fox hunts have traditionally been part of Boxing Day festivities; nevertheless, fox hunting with animals was forbidden in the United Kingdom in 2004. Hunters continue to congregate, resplendent in red wildlife coats.
Main Differences Between Black Friday and Boxing Day
- Black Friday is celebrated on the day after Thanksgiving but boxing day is celebrated on the 26th of the month of December.
- The craze of Black Friday first originated in the United States of America whereas the grace of boxing day first originated in the United Kingdom.
- The main countries to celebrate Black Friday are the USA, India, France whereas the main countries to celebrate Boxing Day are New Zealand and the UK.
- The main activities that people carry out on Black Friday are mainly shopping whereas boxing day consists of a number of sports activities taking place.
- Black Friday first originated in the year 1869 whereas boxing day first originated in the year 1833.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
