Festivus, celebrated on December 23, is a tongue-in-cheek alternative to the commercial side of the holiday season. Made famous by a 1997 episode of the sitcom 'Seinfeld', it features an unadorned aluminum pole instead of a tree, an 'Airing of Grievances' where people tell each other how they've disappointed them over the year, and 'Feats of Strength'. What many people don't know is that Festivus started as a real family tradition decades before it appeared on television.
History of Festivus
Festivus was created in the 1960s by Daniel O'Keefe, an editor and writer, as a family celebration. His family's version reportedly began in 1966 and involved its own quirky rituals, though not the famous pole.
His son, Dan O'Keefe, later became a writer for 'Seinfeld' and adapted the tradition for the episode 'The Strike', which first aired in December 1997. In the episode, the character Frank Costanza explains that he invented Festivus as a protest against the commercialism of Christmas. The show added the aluminum pole, chosen for its 'high strength-to-weight ratio', along with the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength.
The episode struck a chord. Fans began celebrating Festivus themselves, and over the years it has appeared in bars, workplaces, and even public spaces, where Festivus poles have occasionally been displayed alongside other holiday decorations. Some people celebrate it with humor; others use it as a light way to step back from the pressures of the season.
Why Festivus Matters
Festivus is a playful antidote to holiday stress and consumerism. It gives people permission to laugh, keep things simple and skip the pressure of perfect celebrations.
It's also inclusive in a lighthearted way: it's a non-religious celebration that anyone can join, regardless of their traditions.
How to Celebrate Festivus
- Put up a pole: an unadorned aluminum pole (or a broom handle) does the trick.
- Air your grievances, kindly: share funny, harmless complaints about the year.
- Hold Feats of Strength: try arm wrestling, a plank contest or a board game showdown.
- Host a simple dinner: keep the meal low-key and unfussy.
- Declare 'Festivus miracles': celebrate small, everyday coincidences.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a Festivus-themed gathering can be a fun, inclusive end-of-year event: set up a pole, invite colleagues to share funny (and kind) 'grievances' about office quirks such as the printer or the thermostat, and hold silly Feats of Strength like a paper-airplane distance contest. Keep it lighthearted and avoid personal criticism. In schools, older students might enjoy learning how a TV episode created a real-world tradition, as an example of pop culture influence. At home, families can hold a low-key Festivus dinner with a pole made from household items, share humorous complaints about the year and end with a game night. It's a great way to unwind before Christmas Eve.
Fun Facts About Festivus
- Festivus began as a real O'Keefe family tradition in the 1960s.
- It became famous through the 1997 'Seinfeld' episode 'The Strike'.
- The aluminum pole was added for the television version.
Festivus FAQs
When is Festivus?
Festivus is celebrated on December 23.
Is Festivus a real holiday?
It began as a real family tradition and is now celebrated by fans, though it's not an official holiday.
What is the Airing of Grievances?
A Festivus ritual where people humorously share how others have disappointed them during the year.
Why an aluminum pole?
The 1997 TV episode joked that it requires no decoration and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.