Boxing Day is a special holiday in Canada, when many people head to the shops and malls to find great deals. It falls on December 26 each year and started in Britain, where well off employers would give boxes of goods to their servants to take home to their families after working on Christmas Day.
Currently, that day has evolved into an official holiday, with people flocking to stores in droves in search of deals on outfits, gadgets and a variety of other products. Boxing Day is observed in several Commonwealth countries, like Britain and Canada, so if you have the day off on the 26 of December, here are a few shopping venues you could explore in search of that perfect deal.
Neighbourhood Shops
Toronto has several interesting neighborhoods filled with mom-and-pop shops that you could explore. For starters, you could begin by exploring vibrant shopping districts like King West, Queen West and King Street East, along with the Distillery District. Each of these neighbourhoods has a distinctive appearance and character, boasting speciality shops, small boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores. Even if you are not really desperate for a deal, strolling by makes for a great window-shopping experience.
Yorkdale Shopping Mall
Brimming with several stores, Yorkdale Shopping Mall provides a feast for the eyes and senses. The massive shopping mall spans 1,845,725 square feet of retail space, making it Canada’s third-largest mall. With over 270 stores selling everything you could ever think of, from high-end designer clothes to small boutiques, you are bound to find an item on sale. Most recently, Quebec’s department store icon Simons opened shop at Yorkdale. The two-level, 118,00-square-foot fashion space makes it the second-largest location in the GTA and the third largest in Ontario.
Toronto Eaton Centre
The Eaton Centre boasts stunning, picturesque glass ceilings known for its iconic glass skylight and flying geese. The Eaton Centre connects to the PATH system, another attraction that draws crowds, including millions of visitors from Canada, the GTA, and the world. In the wake of the Hudson Bay closure, many smaller shops have opened, delighting the public. For starters, you could explore the Tim Hortons store selling a wide range of outfits, including hoodies, mugs and sweaters, all of which are much beloved icons of the Canadian winter, without coffee and doughnuts on the side.
Fairview Mall
Fairview Mall has been in Toronto since 1970 and is one of the oldest malls, boasting over 180 stores. One of the most unique things about Fairview Mall is that it is increasingly attracting more customers from the Asian community. It boasts two Chinese bakeries, three bubble tea shops and a T&T Supermarket selling a variety of Asian specialities; that’s not to undermine the host of other noodle shops. Although Boxing Day sales don’t apply to food items, you can shop at Fairview’s other stores for sales on all your favourite brands like Aldo, Apple, Aritzia, Hugo Boss and much more.
Scarborough Town Centre
Scarborough Town Centre has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Revamped and looking fresher than ever, it is a testament to the vibrant community of Scarborough with a host of trendy shops and outlet stores. You can also shop for furniture sales at the much-loved Swedish furniture store IKEA, which offers a small-city format. If you are looking for fashion sales, you will find several here in stores like GAP, H&M, Aldo and Fairweather.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
