Boxing Day
Date & time: The day after Christmas, in Canada and in other Commonwealth countries.
Origin: Boxing Day is an old British Imperial holiday of nebulous origins, however, most theories on its origin revolve around the act of gift exchanges-whether it be a box of tools from feudal lord to lowly serf, or a slaughtered wren given to neighbor, friends and family in a box, symbolizing good fortune and bountiful harvests. The modern consumer component only developed more recently.
Purpose: Gluttonous consumerism
Projected level of violence: Medium. Perhaps because of the more docile Canadian temperament, Boxing Day does not have quite the anarchic reputation of its American Black Friday counterpart. However, a notable 2005 shooting in the Toronto Eaton Centre has shown Canadian consumers that Boxing Day is no laughing matter.
Size of consumer markdowns: Moderate. Though Boxing Day 2005 was estimated as the largest single day of retail economic transactions in Canadian history, Canadian deals simply cannot compete with the American retail holiday.
Official status: Boxing Day is a legal holiday and several provinces have enacted legislation to ban retailers from opening their doors on Boxing Day, putting a damper on the post-holiday consumer frenzy.
Black Friday:
Date & time: The day after American Thanksgiving, across the United States.
Origin: Most sources state that "Black Friday" is a reference to the chaos and heavy-traffic of the shopping holiday that slowly emerged in the latter 20th century and harkens back to when the stock market crashed in 1929-"Black Tuesday." The first concrete reference to Black Friday came in a 1975 New York Times article.
Purpose: Gluttonous consumerism!
Projected level of violence: High. Black Friday is legendary for the pushing, shoving and general disorder that characterizes stores as they open their doors to a flood of eager consumers. Between stampedes, fist fights and general anarchy, Black Friday is a notoriously violent day of disarray and confusion. Several blogs have even run recurring features with colorful titles such as, "Black Friday Injury Update."
2008 Woodie Awards
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Gordon Saulnier
posted 12/22/07 @ 2:10 AM EST
Boxing Day is celebrated in Canada as well. Boxing Day has much more of a history compared to "Black Friday".
Black Friday actually has more of a dubious origin than Boxing Day does. (Continued…)
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