Late October through early January is full of many holiday traditions. From Christmas to Hanukkah and more, millions of people all over the world take part in various traditions related to religious or cultural customs. In recent years, you may have heard of Festivus, particularly as part of the phrase “Festivus for the rest of us,” especially if you faithfully watched the television sitcom Seinfeld. Unlike Christmas or Kwanzaa, this holiday is not associated with a religion or ethno-cultural tradition. This secular holiday is observed on the 23rd of December and stands as an alternative to the social pressure and commercialism associated with Christmas. Let’s delve into Festivus and find out what it’s all about.
Examining the Origins
Festivus was originally conceived by author Daniel O’Keefe, and it was observed by his family as far back as the 1960s. The name is taken from the Latin word festivus, which means “jovial and lively.” The word popped into O’Keefe’s head to honor the anniversary of his first date with his future wife, Deborah. After the death of his mother in 1976, O’Keefe came up with the phrase “Festivus for the rest of us” to indicate a celebration involving himself and other family members that survived her.
Entering the Public Consciousness
O’Keefe’s son Dan was a writer for the sitcom Seinfeld. Festivus entered the public consciousness when it was used as a major plot point for the December 1997 episode titled “The Strike.” In that episode, the character George Costanza received a card from his father wishing him a Happy Festivus. This piqued the curiosity of his friends, who later learn from the elder Costanza that he created the tradition as an alternative to Christmas and the commercialism associated with the season. Dan O’Keefe was initially reluctant about using his family’s tradition in the script, but the executive producers were enthusiastic about this unique celebration once they learned about it. Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Seinfeld, Festivus became more than an O’Keefe ritual. It was adopted to various degrees by different viewers, becoming a new December holiday tradition for many.
Practicing Festivus
The Seinfeld episode influenced all the customs associated with Festivus as a public celebration. Not all the practices originated with the O’Keefe family tradition:
- Festivus Pole: Invented for “The Strike,” this is an unadorned, aluminum pole that stands as a contrast to the Christmas tree. This pole was not a part of the O’Keefe celebrations, which involved putting a clock in a bag and nailing it to the wall.
- Dinner: In the TV show, a reddish meatloaf was featured as the meal. The O’Keefes typically enjoyed a feast centered around turkey or ham.
- Airing of Grievances: “The Strike” featured Frank Costanza enumerating his issues with the world and others over the past year immediately after dinner. Everyone talked about their disappointments throughout the year.
- Feats of Strength: Per the episode, the head of household challenges someone to a wrestling match. This tradition is not complete until the head of household is pinned.
- Festivus Miracle: On “The Strike,” such a miracle is declared by Cosmo Kramer as a response to multiple plot elements.
Adopting and Observing Festivus
After airing of “The Strike,” Festivus was adopted by viewers of various stripes. The holiday was publicly acknowledged by politicians, religious leaders, and even the National Football League. It was a trending topic on Twitter in 2010, and the search engine Google offered custom search results for the holiday that featured a pole in 2012. Symbols such as the pole have been adopted and erected in Wisconsin and Florida as emblems of separation between church and state.
While some view Festivus as a parody of Christmas, many have adopted it as a secular alternative. For them, it’s a time to gather with loved ones. It’s an opportunity to abandon the pressures of gift-giving and to acknowledge the past year in a humorous way.