Christmas Day has come and gone, and now you have a fridge full of leftover food, a recycling bin full of wrapping paper and presents sprinkled around your home. After all the anticipation for the big day, many of us often have no idea what to do with ourselves on Boxing Day.

Whilst it might be tempting, but also totally okay, to spend Boxing Day on the sofa in your pyjamas, the Christmas spirit doesn’t need to end with Christmas Day. There are plenty of festive frolics to be had, even from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you want to go into full hibernation mode, whip up a delicious Boxing Day brunch or get out and about, here are ten easy things to do on Boxing Day.

Go for a walk
Blow away the cobwebs and get your legs moving by going on a winter walk. Whether you head for a stroll through the park, a quick walk around the block or tackle a big hike, getting out and about in the fresh air on Boxing Day is a great way to stop you from feeling sluggish after Christmas Day.
Watch your favourite films
Feeling pretty exhausted after Christmas Day? If it feels as though your energy has been zapped, then why not take the day to cosy up and watch your favourite films? Whether it's your most-watched rom-com or beloved film series, get curled up and polish off that mulled wine.
Indulge in retail therapy
If you’re feeling brave, shopping the Boxing Day sales is a great way to grab a good bargain. With most shops open on Boxing Day, heading to your local shopping centre (or doing some online shopping) means you can make the most of the deals.
Play board games or do puzzles
Fun for all the family, games are an easy way to keep everyone entertained. Whether it’s a classic board game like Monopoly or Cluedo, or even a Mario Kart tournament, you’ll create plenty of memories and have a good laugh.
Go ice skating
If you fancy getting out of the house and doing a festive activity, try ice skating. Indoor skating rinks are really popular all year round, but lots of festive outdoor ice-skating rinks pop up throughout the winter at Christmas markets, in parks and at popular attractions.
See a show or pantomime
Going to a pantomime is a fun and exciting way for the whole family to spend Boxing Day. If pantomimes aren’t your thing, many theatres have other festive productions, like stunning ballet or even opera.
Visit your family
Trying to see all your family on Christmas Day can be tough, or perhaps you couldn’t spend the big day with your family – maybe you spent it with your in-laws instead. That makes Boxing Day a great time to catch up with your loved ones.
Have a self-care day
Everyone loves a good pamper, and if you’re feeling a little out-of-sorts after Christmas Day, a self-care day might be just what you need. After all the festive fun, and maybe one too many drinks, your skin can feel a bit lifeless and dull, so draw a bath, pop a face mask on, light a candle and start relaxing.
Spend time with friends
Maybe you’ve spent your Christmas surrounded by your family and fancy escaping for a day, so why not gather your friends together on Boxing Day? Whether you head down to the pub or have a ‘friendsmas’, catching up with close friends is always good fun.
Watch the football
Kicking back and watching an afternoon of (hopefully) exciting, action-packed football is a popular tradition for many people. Whether it’s supporting your favourite team or just enjoying the sport, there are loads of different games you can tune into.

What to eat on Boxing Day

We know what it's like to have a fridge full of Christmas leftovers but no idea what to do with it all. Here’s eight different ideas for creating a delicious Boxing Day menu using some of those leftovers:

make the perfect turkey sandwich – pile your sandwich high with your favourite leftovers, think turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing
whip up a turkey curry – if you want to add some spice to your Boxing Day, add some leftover turkey to a tasty curry
make sprouts fun – make them into a salad, a slaw or add them to your midweek recipes for added fibre boost
Boxing Day brunch – throw your leftover ingredients into an omelette, or even make an indulgent toasted breakfast sandwich
plate up a cheese board with your leftover cheese
re-fry your roasties – chuck your leftover roasties back in a pan with seasoning to give them an extra crunch fit for a Boxing Day buffet
make a vegetable casserole – add your leftover carrots, sprouts and more to create a delicious dish

FAQs

Why is it called Boxing Day?

It’s an unusual name, so it’s no wonder people often think “why is it called Boxing Day?”.

Boxing Day actually doesn’t have anything to do with the sport with which it shares its name. Instead, the name comes from when the rich used to box up gifts for their workers during the Victorian era.¹

Traditionally, the day after Christmas was a day off for workers who would receive a Christmas box from their employers. The workers would then head home on Boxing Day to give the box to their family.¹

When was Boxing Day invented?

Boxing Day became a common term when Queen Victoria sat on the throne in the 1800s. However, the earliest use of the term Boxing Day was actually in 1743 when it was defined as the ‘day after Christmas Day’.²

Do all countries celebrate Boxing Day?

Not all countries celebrate Boxing Day, but for some Boxing Day is a religious day. Countries like Ireland, parts of Spain, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland celebrate Boxing Day as a second Christmas Day, known as St. Stephen’s Day.³

The final say

The time between Christmas and New Year can always feel like a bit of a blur, and Boxing Day is no exception. Even if you might just want to spend the time binging on Christmas TV and polishing off the last of the mince pies, there’s plenty of festive fun to be had both at home and out and about.

Disclaimer

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments, or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Sources

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Boxing Day | Definition, Activities, & Facts | Britannica. In: Encyclopædia Britannica [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boxing-Day‌
Boxing Day, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary. Oedcom [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 17]; Available from: https://www.oed.com/dictionary/boxing-day_n
The Christmas encyclopedia : Crump, William D., 1949- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive [Internet]. Internet Archive. 2014 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://archive.org/details/christmasencyclo00will