Celebrated annually on December 23rd, Festivus offers a reprieve from the traditional rules of the holiday for those who indulge their inner “Bah, humbug!” prefer to Instead of participating in Christmas celebrations. And with the challenges of the past few years, many may find the festivities a cathartic outlet.
Festivus started with the hit TV show. Seinfeld In 1997, George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander) revealed that his father, Frank Costanza (played by the late Jerry Stiller), conflated the commercial and religious aspects of the traditional December holiday. A holiday was created to contrast with
The holiday, full of strange traditions, quickly gained attention and became a pop culture phenomenon, with the tagline “Festivals for the rest of us!” Gaining widespread popularity.
In fact, Festivus’ roots may stretch back even earlier, to 1966, when Seinfeld Author Dan O’Keefe first heard his father recommend the vacation. But it was Seinfeld The event that solidified the holiday.
Unlike the traditional Christmas tree, Festivus is marked by a simple, unadorned pole. But perhaps the most famous tradition is the “grievance airing,” where people vent their frustrations and disappointments.
It’s a moment to let go of all the frustrations of the past year—a process that may feel necessary, especially after the turmoil of the pandemic. While it may be tempting to complain about everything that goes wrong, it’s important to do so mindfully.
After airing grievances, the Festivus tradition calls for a physical challenge—wrestling. It’s a lighthearted way to de-stress with friends or family, although it’s important to keep it safe and fun. It’s a quirky tradition that allows everyone to blow off steam and enjoy the day’s absurdity.
While Festivus provides an opportunity to vent, complain and vent frustrations, it’s important to balance it with a sense of humor and a bit of positivity.
Even Frank Costanza, creator of Festivus, managed to crack a smile once in a while. So, if you’re celebrating this unique holiday, go ahead—air your grievances, and challenge someone to a wrestling match, but try to leave a little space for gratitude and joy, even if it’s finding Why is it difficult to do?