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DAY OF GOODWILL

When is Day of Goodwill in 2023?

Day of Goodwill in 2023 is on the Tuesday, 26th of Dec (12/26/2023).

Day of Goodwill is on the 360th day of 2023. There are 5 days left in the year.

Day of Goodwill Facts

  • Date: Dec 26, 2023
  • 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 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
TuesdayTueMar 21, 2023Mar 21Human Rights Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter
MondayMonApr 10, 2023Apr 10Family Day
ThursdayThuApr 27, 2023Apr 27Freedom Day
MondayMonMay 01, 2023May 01Workers Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25Africa Day
FridayFriJun 16, 2023Jun 16Youth Day
TuesdayTueJul 18, 2023Jul 18Nelson Mandela's Birthday
WednesdayWedAug 09, 2023Aug 09National Women's Day
SundaySunSep 24, 2023Sep 24Heritage Day
MondayMonSep 25, 2023Sep 25Heritage Day Holiday
SaturdaySatDec 16, 2023Dec 16Day of Reconciliation
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas Day
TuesdayTueDec 26, 2023Dec 26Day of Goodwill

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 23, 2023Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day