Boxing Day

A petition has been set up to call upon retailers to close all shops this Boxing Day. The Change.org petition, set up by Ian Lapworth has gained more than 100,000 signatures and is well on the way of reaching its goal of 150,000 signatures.

Lapworth set up the campaign over a month ago in a bid for a less commercialised holiday season and to give staff a break over the festive period. Once the goal of 150,000 signatures is reached it will then be passed onto Prime Minister Theresa May in the hope that staff will be given the longer break that they deserve and spend time with their families.

"Whilst not everyone may see Christmas as a religious holiday, it should be respected as such, and retail workers (who work so hard on the run up to the big day) given some decent family time to relax and enjoy the festivities like everyone else," the petition says.

Thirty or forty years ago it was a different story. Shops would stay closed for longer periods over the holiday season. But in recent years, it has become the norm for retailers to extend their sales periods, opening ridiculously early on Boxing Day to compete for customers. Meaning staff must return to work, sometimes after only one day off.

One signatory, Ruth German added, "Christmas is for families not for retailers to make a quick buck. Give the hard working staff an extra day to spend with their families."

Although we agree with this petition, it would be unfair not to mention everyone else that has to work on key days such as Christmas and Boxing Day. For example, everyone working in restaurants, bars and clubs. They also don't get much time off over the festive period, with some having to work throughout the whole month with little time off.

Christmas has become so manic it's time for it to wind down a little and enjoy the simple things in life.