The Second Christmas Day

The Second Christmas Day History

Second Christmas Day, also known as Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day, is celebrated the day after Christmas in various European countries. This observance serves as an opportunity to extend the Christmas festivities, allowing more time for family gatherings, relaxation, and the continuation of certain religious practices. Second Christmas Day is marked by various customs and events, which often include outdoor sports and charitable acts inspired by the holiday's namesake, St. Stephen the Martyr.

The tradition of Second Christmas Day is rooted in European history and remains an important aspect of holiday celebrations for many people across the continent. In the European Union, this observance plays a significant role in prolonging the spirit of goodwill and togetherness associated with the holiday season. For individuals whose work commitments prevent them from fully celebrating Christmas Day, having the extended time off allows them to better connect with family and friends and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

In the European Union, Second Christmas Day is observed with varying levels of prominence depending on the country and its customs. In nations like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the day is recognized as a public holiday with many businesses and services closed or operating on reduced hours. Festivities often include attending church services, spending time outdoors enjoying leisure activities, or organizing large family meals. Second Christmas Day takes place on December 26th.

Top facts about The Second Christmas Day

• Annandagsbandy is the Swedish tradition of playing bandy games on Second Christmas, or St. Stephen’s Day.
• Ingmar Bergman won an Oscar for Fanny and Alexander. Set in the 1800s, it reflects Swedish Christmas celebrations today and is a national favourite.
• Klä julgranen means literally, to dress the tree. in Swedish, Julhandla is Christmas shopping and Julpyssla is to decorate your house, lots.
• Swedish food includes dishes like Jansson’s Frestelse: which means, Jansson’s Temptation. It is a baked casserole made of potatoes cut into matchsticks, onions, bread crumbs, cream, and pickled sprats and part of the Julbord (buffet) of Christmas food. Other dishes include Julskinka, baked ham and Sill, pickled herring.
• The Swedish Christmas is definitely unique, even throughout Scandinavia. Like Christmas everywhere, it's a very family-centered holiday. - Marcus Samuelsson, Swedish chef and restaurateur

In the News and Trending in the EU for The Second Christmas Day

The Second Christmas Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Sing carols with your family and friends. Second Christmas Day is traditionally a day of carol singing.
• Make a feast. Food is very important during Christmas. Swedish dishes create a smorgasbord, a buffet offering a wide variety of hot and cold dishes. Usually you can find Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, home-made liver pâté and wort-flavoured rye bread (vörtbröd).
• Visit relatives, the Christmas period is long in Sweden, so it is a time when people travel far to see friends and relatives.
• Read some Rimma (rhymes) that you received with your presents. Each gift must be accompanied by a poem for the recipient with rhyming couplets.
• Watch a Christmas-themed movie. Our favourites include:
  1) Fanny and Alexander (1982), this film depicts a family in Uppsala, Sweden during the 1900s and is a national favourite.
  2) Home Alone (1990), this 90s classic features a youthful Donald Trump
  3) Elf (2003), Will Ferrell’s modern Christmas classic