Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: December 23rd, 2021. Today is Festivus Day which a lot of you might know what is thanks to the TV Show Seinfeld. But my family didn’t watch Seinfeld so we didn’t know about this Holiday. Did you?
Festivus – for the rest of us– always held on December 23rd.
Are you feeling a little left out! because you don’t celebrate Christmas or Chanukah and Kwanzaa just isn’t your thing. And, you don’t even know what or when Ramadan or Dilawi day are.
Then, come and experience the joy and the Miracle of Festivus. One might say that the Festivus Holiday is a miracle in itself.
Still not sure if Festivus is for you? Well, I would like to let you know Festivus is non-denominational. And, non-commercial/ I don’t know about you but I’m all for that. Everyone can partake in this Holiday. The Festivus slogan is “A Festivus for the rest of us!” Which means you, too.
The History and Origin of Festivus Holiday:
The Festivus Holiday was created by Daniel O’Keefe, who found reference to an obscure Holiday called Festivus. O’Keefe first celebrated this Holiday in 1966. He selected December 23rd, to celebrate the Anniversary of his first date with his future wife Deborah. His son Dan, a television scriptwriter, brought the Holiday to life on the Seinfeld show.
Festivus became popular as the direct result of a Jerry Seinfeld television show episode. The show first aired on December 18th, 1997. On the show, Festivus was created and celebrated by Frank Costanza, George’s father. During George’s childhood, the Costanza family celebrated annually on December 23rd. On this episode of the show, Cosmos Kramer encouraged George’s father to resurrect Festivus and its traditions.
Festivus Traditions:
No, there isn’t a Festivus Tree. Instead, an unadorned aluminum pole is the symbol of Festivus.
The Festivus Holiday is celebrated with a dinner. Meatloaf is the suggested main course, Man, oh man Charlie and David will not like knowing that. I will be a happy Camper to have a slice of Meatloaf. What about you?
Dinner is followed by a “Feats of Strength”.
Another popular Festivus tradition is an “Airing of Grievances”. This is where you can tell someone how disappointed you are over what they did or didn’t do during the past year. Doesn’t this sound like fun!? Just be kind because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
