Festivus - An Actual Holiday Celebrated on December 23!

Festivus started out as a joke, but has turned into an actual holiday. Daniel O'Keefe, a screenwriter for the Seinfeld television show shared his O'Keefe family traditions that were invented as a celebration of his father's first date which eventually led to marriage. The family held the original Festivus event in February starting in the 1960's, but after the Seinfeld Festivus episode the date changed to December 23. The strange secular holiday has become a way to celebrate the holidays without pressure or commercialism.

Each December 23rd each year, everyone who celebrates "Festivus" follows the traditions explained in the Seinfeld Festivus show.



The December holiday celebrates the winter holiday season without all of the usual traditions. No trees, no gifts, etc. The memorable Seinfeld line..."Festivus for the rest of us" was something the writer's O'Keefe family had said.

Festivus traditions include decorating with an aluminum "Festivus Pole," telling others how they have disappointed you throughout the year during "Airing of Grievances," and wrestling with one another during "Feats of Strength." Calling everyday events "Festivus Miracles" is also a part of the Festivus tradition.

So Happy Festivus to everyone out their celebrating the non-holiday holiday...I'd personally rather sit by my lit Christmas tree than wrestle beside a pole, but holiday cheer comes in all shapes and forms!


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