Key Takeaways
- Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is considered as the beginning of the Christmas shopping sale.
- Boxing Day is the day after Christmas and is a holiday in the UK and Ireland.
- Both days are known as shopping holidays due to the discounts offered by stores.
The main difference between Black Friday and Boxing Day is that they fall on different days at the end of the year. Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, whereas Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, celebrated on the 25th of December. As a result, Boxing Day falls on the 26th of December, while Black Friday falls on the fourth Friday of November.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Although it is not a federal holiday, it is a public holiday in some states, and many people take a day off their annual leave on this day. Many organizations also close for the Thanksgiving weekend. Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and is considered as the beginning of the Christmas shopping sale. Many retail stores offer promotional sales on this day, and it was originally called Black Friday because so many people went out to shop that it caused traffic accidents and sometimes even violence.
In the UK, the term Black Friday was used to refer to the Friday before Christmas, but now they have also adopted the American usage of the term.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a holiday that falls on the day after Christmas, i.e., on the 26th of December. This holiday originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in some countries that were a part of the British Empire. It’s a national holiday in the UK and Ireland. When 26 December falls on a Saturday, the Boxing Day public holiday is moved to the following Monday, and if 26 December falls on a Sunday, the substitute public holiday is considered as the following Tuesday. In some European countries, this day is celebrated as a second Christmas day. However, in the United States, the 26th of December is not celebrated as a holiday, nor is it known as Boxing Day.
Boxing Day or the 26th of December is also the feast day of Saint Stephen, the patron saint of horses, and this day is also known for horse racing and fox hunts. The origin of the name ‘Boxing Day’ comes from boxes placed at churches on Christmas day to collect money for the poor, which were traditionally opened on the day after Christmas. It’s also said that this day is named after Christmas boxes (presents) that the rich people gave their servants. Although Boxing Day is considered a secular holiday, it is increasingly known as a shopping holiday since many shops offer discount rates on this day.
Similarities Between Black Friday and Boxing Day
Both Black Friday and Boxing Day occur at the end of the year, and shops offer many discounts on both days, making them known as shopping holidays.
Difference Between Black Friday and Boxing Day
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving, while Boxing Day is the day following Christmas. Black Friday falls on the fourth Friday of November, and Boxing Day falls on the 26th of December. Black Friday originated in the USA, whereas Boxing Day is not observed in the USA. Black Friday is a public holiday in only some states of the USA, while Boxing Day is a national holiday in England and Ireland. Black Friday has no religious significance, while Boxing Day is also the feast day of Saint Stephen.
In summary, both Black Friday and Boxing Day are holidays at the end of the year, with Black Friday occurring in November and Boxing Day in December. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, while Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. This is the primary difference between Black Friday and Boxing Day.
