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DAY OF GOODWILL

When is Day of Goodwill in 2024?

Day of Goodwill in 2024 is on the Thursday, 26th of Dec (12/26/2024).

Day of Goodwill is on the 361th day of 2024. There are 5 days left in the year.

Day of Goodwill Facts

  • Date: Dec 26, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Boxing Day
  • Celebrations: Celebrations; charity, relaxing, shopping, partying
Day of Goodwill iImage Credit: PixaBay.com

Most countries call it Boxing Day, but to South Africans, it is the Day of Goodwill. However, the people of South Africa celebrated the holiday as Boxing Day until 1994 when its government decided to have a change. Celebrated on 26th December, this day serves as a recovery from the Christmas indulgences. The day of Goodwill is the third public holiday celebrated by South Africans in the month of December. As a day off to most people, it is considered a day of relaxation and compassion as people donate to charity.

History of the Day of Goodwill

The South African government renamed Boxing Day as the Day of Goodwill as a way to sever ties of a colonial past. When the apartheid finally ended, and Nelson Mandela took over the government power, the people of South Africa felt that it was worth celebrating the milestone. In 1994, the Day of Goodwill was established to mark the beginning of freedom of South Africans from the British colony.

How to Celebrate the Day of Goodwill

The Day of Goodwill is a time of giving to others. It is, therefore, the perfect time for you to donate some of the stuff you don’t use to charity. The fact that the holiday comes a day after Christmas, you can also give out leftover foods, drinks, and luxury items to the less fortunate in the society. Other people host parties for the homeless as a way to show generosity and compassion.

In the spirit of compassion, prepare a box full of gifts for needy children and drop it at a local charity organization.

The Day of Goodwill occurs in summer. It is, therefore, a perfect time to spend the day outdoors and soak in the sunshine. Most South Africans know this day as the Beach Day. So, gang up with family and friends and head to the beach. After a day at the beach, you can organize a small party or dinner to celebrate the day.

Since most retail stores will be running Christmas sales, take this day as an opportunity to go shopping. Assuming that you have already de-cluttered your house and given what you no longer need to charity, head to the shops and get new household items at unbelievably slashed prices.

Another great way to celebrate this day is by hosting a braai party with friends and family. Make the grill party extra special by including local meats such as sosaties, antelope, boerewors and kebabs.

If you are indoors, then be sure to watch a movie about compassion and giving to others. Some of the best titles include Pay it Forward, Freedom Writers, The Blind Side and It’s a Wonderful Life.

You can also opt to enjoy time off by spending quality time with family. Christmas can be overwhelming and therefore, relaxing with loved ones a day after the festivities is a pretty good idea.

Remember to share your thoughts about generosity and charity on social media via the hashtag #DayofGoodwill.

Why Celebrate the Day of Goodwill

South Africa underwent colonialism by two colonial powers; the Dutch and the Britons. The people of South Africa also suffered during the apartheid regime, and many lost their lives. Observing the Day of Goodwill is, therefore, a kind gesture of celebrating a free nation.

The Day of Goodwill is also worth celebrating because of the spirit of compassion it brings to the society. Through the celebrations, the needs of those living vulnerable lives are met. It is also a reminder that, we should not only give what we no longer use, but also ensure that we show sympathy for those in suffering.

Day of Goodwill Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Thu
  • Dec 26, 2013
  • Fri
  • Dec 26, 2014
  • Sat
  • Dec 26, 2015
  • Mon
  • Dec 26, 2016
  • Tue
  • Dec 26, 2017

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of South Africa in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
ThursdayThuMar 21, 2024Mar 21Human Rights Day
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter
MondayMonApr 01, 2024Apr 01Family Day
SaturdaySatApr 27, 2024Apr 27Freedom Day
WednesdayWedMay 01, 2024May 01Workers Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25Africa Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Youth Day
MondayMonJun 17, 2024Jun 17Youth Day Holidays
ThursdayThuJul 18, 2024Jul 18Nelson Mandela's Birthday
FridayFriAug 09, 2024Aug 09National Women's Day
TuesdayTueSep 24, 2024Sep 24Heritage Day
MondayMonDec 16, 2024Dec 16Day of Reconciliation
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas Day
ThursdayThuDec 26, 2024Dec 26Day of Goodwill

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day