Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Today is Festivus

Fest*i*vus \ N \ A fictional holiday popularized by Frank Constanza (played by Jerry Stiller) of Seinfeld.

The Origins of Festivus
Frank Costanza — Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
Cosmo Kramer — What happened to the doll?
Frank Costanza — It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born.....A Festivus for the rest of us!

Festivus Traditions
The Festivus Pole. During Festivus, an unadorned aluminum pole is displayed, apparently in opposition to the commercialization of decorated Christmas trees, and because the holiday's creator, Frank Costanza, "find[s] tinsel distracting." Local customs have changed and you may be able to decorate your pole with non-threating plain decorations

The Airing of Grievances. At the Festivus dinner, the celebrant tells their friends and family all of the instances where they disappointed the celebrant that year.

The Feats of Strength.
The head of the family tests his or her strength against one participant of the head's choosing. Festivus is not considered over until the head of the family has been pinned. A participant is allowed to decline to attempt to pin the head of the family only if they have something better to do instead.