It’s Boxing Day in Sydney – the day that launches a hundred boats and a million rabid shoppers.

After the orgy of consumer excess that is the festive season, you could be forgiven for being fatigued at the mere thought of shopping on the day after Christmas.

But in the age of unchecked materialism, plenty disagree.

Of course, the Boxing Day sales in Wagga have historically been a far more sedate affair than the city.

New state government laws drafted last year could change that.

Amid furious lobbying by business groups (not by consumers), the government opened up Boxing Day trading to all businesses in regional areas, where previously it was carte blanche only in designated Sydney trading zones.

Just a smattering of small businesses in Wagga took up the offer last year, many preferring to spend quality time with family and friends.

And who could blame them?

Being in business can be rewarding, but it can also be relentless.

Many small business owners work six or seven days a week and would be lucky to have a couple of weeks’ holiday a year.

Like marathon runners, they rush headlong towards Christmas and limp over the line exhausted when the big day arrives.

The Christmas/new year period is a precious few days where they can exhale and recalibrate.

And it’s not just the business owners that need a break – it’s their employees too.

The government’s caveat that employees can’t be forced to work on Boxing Day is patent nonsense.

Anyone who has ever worked in retail knows a line in the legislation won’t stop many bosses demanding their employees turn up.

Wagga man Steven Cook should be commended for taking a courageous stand on the issue.

People might now live in a “24/7 economy”, as business groups like to spruik, but more importantly, they live in communities with family and friends.

The real magic of Christmas isn’t in the gifts, it’s in the opportunity to relax with those you love without the pressures of the rest of the year. And everyone deserves a chance to savor that.