Dec. 23 marks the annual celebration of Festivus, the unconventional holiday made famous by the television show Seinfeld and embraced by fans across the country as a lighthearted alternative to traditional holiday customs.
Festivus was first introduced to a national audience in a 1997 episode of Seinfeld, though the holiday was originally created in 1966 by author Daniel O’Keefe as a family tradition. The sitcom transformed Festivus into a cultural phenomenon, complete with its now-iconic symbols and rituals.
Unlike many holidays, Festivus is deliberately simple. Celebrations typically feature an undecorated aluminum pole, chosen for its “high strength-to-weight ratio” and lack of tinsel. The holiday also includes the “Airing of Grievances,” during which participants openly share their disappointments from the past year, and “Feats of Strength,” a friendly physical challenge that traditionally ends the celebration.
Over the years, Festivus has taken on a broader meaning for many who observe it. Supporters say the holiday offers a humorous way to push back against commercialism and holiday stress, encouraging honesty, laughter, and togetherness instead.
Festivus has also found its way into workplaces, social media, and community gatherings, with people using the day to share grievances in jest or post photos of aluminum poles and Seinfeld-themed decorations.
While it may not be an official holiday, Festivus continues to thrive as a pop-culture tradition, proving that sometimes a little humor and honesty are the perfect way to close out the year.
So let’s hear your Grievances!
