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Original poster

To have no idea what people do on Boxing Day?

231 replies

cantthinkofausername26 · 13/12/2024 07:27

For the first time, ever, I have no Boxing Day plans. Boxing Day was always seeing my grandparents (now they have died) and in the last 20 years, seeing my inlaws. Sadly they have both recently passed away.
I have two kids 8 and 12, and no idea what people do on Boxing Day! Any ideas gratefully received.

OP posts:
SnowJamz · 13/12/2024 10:26

It’s my favourite day. Christmas Eve and Boxing Day we always keep just for our household.
Christmas Eve we play board games, watch films and the Santa tracker. Then Christmas Day itself is spent with other family. So Boxing Day is reserved for full relaxation. Get up whenever we want, leisurely breakfast and then kids have a bath and put on fresh pyjamas. Then we potter around, playing with new toys, sorting out the recycling etc. Just taking our time not having to rush.

All the other days before the kids go back to school we are either hosting people, at others houses or out at events. So I really appreciate the calm of Boxing Day.

StrawberryWater · 13/12/2024 10:25

It's when we do our main Christmas meal with wider family as Christmas Day is just me, ds and dh.

Toooldforlonghair · 13/12/2024 10:25

It's my Mum's birthday. We go out for lunch to celebrate even if she's not with us as it's become part of our Christmas celebrations.

GnomeDePlume · 13/12/2024 10:25

NooNakedJacuzziness · 13/12/2024 09:51

Sit in pants. Eat Chocolate Orange. Repeat.

I had to re-read that!

I will go to my allotment and sow shallot seeds. It's the traditional day for getting onion seeds started so I extend the tradition.

Zippedydodah · 13/12/2024 10:24

Head for a beach or a hilltop walk with the dog.
Take hotdogs in a flask, rolls, tomato soup, coffee etc and have a picnic.

bigkidatheart · 13/12/2024 10:23

Films, Food, Wine, New PJs on

Ohshutupalan · 13/12/2024 10:22

NooNakedJacuzziness · 13/12/2024 09:51

Sit in pants. Eat Chocolate Orange. Repeat.

No bra?

Webbedlife · 13/12/2024 10:22

Needanewname42 · 13/12/2024 09:43

Hands up I'm a Scot who didn't know there was a tradition of Morris Dancing on Boxing Day.

Is this in a hall or town center.

Is that a whole of England thing or certain regions?

I love a MN school day.🙂

Show quote history

Not everyone does it, but quite a few Morris sides dance out on Boxing Day, generally at a pub around lunchtime. It happens in various areas of England.

Doggymummar · 13/12/2024 10:22

I finished till Jan 6 on Wednesday and oh finishes today so we have lots of these lovely days to do with as we please. Yesterday I watched all the Gavin and Stacey's to catch up. Today I am still in PJ's on my second ovaltine and just watching Tiktok s. Who knows what tomorrow brings, who cares, chill out and do what you want when you want.b

Ohshutupalan · 13/12/2024 10:21

Oh how jealous I am that folk get the whole of the xmas period off. Nurse - working 13 hours xmas day this year so Boxing Day will be my day of celebration with my family.

GoldenLegend · 13/12/2024 10:19

AInightingale · 13/12/2024 08:35

I must be doing something wrong here because my Boxing Days usually involve a lot of binbags and wrestling with recycling.

Same plus cleaning!

Wordau · 13/12/2024 10:18

IdylicDay · 13/12/2024 09:34

Amazed at the amount of people who actually like to go for a walk. With me if I have to go anywhere more than half a km from my house I take the car. Never really got why people want to walk or what they get out of it. I think I'd rather clean the toilet to be honest.

You drive if it's more than 1/2 km? That's about a 5 minute walk? Do you do any exercise?

Walking is good for your physical health. I think that is a no brainer. Moderate exercise reduces your risk of numerous diseases.

It's really good for your mental health and treating anxiety. Especially walking in nature.

It's social, accessible and free. Most/many people can go for a walk once they're 4 or 5 years old up to their 80s. You can chat, you can explore nature, you can access spaces you can't get to by car - like a waterfall, a clifftop view, a forest.

Eyresandgraces · 13/12/2024 10:17

My favourite day.
Cold meat with bubble and squeak.
Look at your gifts properly.
Laze about.
Have a walk.
Watch rubbish tv.

mammaCh · 13/12/2024 10:14

We always stay at home, just us. Chilled. Eat a roast dinner. Loads of goodies! Usually a pjs day.
My kids are around the same age as yours. Play with their presents. Make sure they have a new game we can all do together.
I love it!

LuckySantangelo35 · 13/12/2024 10:05

Could you go for a run Op? @cantthinkofausername26

Onlycoffee · 13/12/2024 10:02

We just chill, eat chocolate and snacks, watch films, read new books etc

I'm sorry for your losses op. Good luck with your new boxing day traditions!

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 13/12/2024 09:58

We will go to see the hounds parade and a local tradition called rolling the barrel. Then for a good walk with sandwiches, sausage rolls and a flask.

ReignOfError · 13/12/2024 09:58

Ours varies a bit, but normally involves a walk and often a pub lunch. This year our youngest grandchild will have a new bike, so a group of us are going for a short cycle ride, and will gather here for lunch. Then we’ll go for a walk, and to the pub for a bit.

TonTonMacoute · 13/12/2024 09:57

Nothing! It's absolute bliss...

OrwellianTimes · 13/12/2024 09:54

Eat cheese, go on a beach walk, play family games, watch soppy movies.

SleepyHibernating · 13/12/2024 09:53

Book my summer holiday !😄

Zanatdy · 13/12/2024 09:52

We have another family day, same people come over, but we eat buffet not christmas dinner.

NooNakedJacuzziness · 13/12/2024 09:51

Sit in pants. Eat Chocolate Orange. Repeat.

SquigglePigs · 13/12/2024 09:50

When I was growing up it was the day to break out all the new toys having had a busy family Christmas Day. Break the day up with a walk and hot chocolate. Leftovers for lunch. Just a lovely chilled day.

For DH growing up they always went to the cinema in the afternoon as a family.

We always have people staying with us as we're too far from family for a day trip. It's quite like my childhood Boxing Day. Chilled, playing with the new toys etc. Me usually reading through the cookery books I generally get!

Trickabrick · 13/12/2024 09:48

Rainingandlookslikeitwillneverstop · 13/12/2024 07:30

Play with toys the kids got for Christmas:

board games as a family

Christmas film / Christmas special

long dog walk and then put the fire on

chill, drink baileys and relax and eat lots of crisps!

All this except the walk - we have a shower then put clean pjs on and have a proper chill day. It’s better than Christmas Day in my opinion!