"Bah, humbug! If you're feeling a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge or are just not into the cheeriness of season, Festivus may be the non-holiday for you.
The zany anti-holiday was born on the "The Strike" episode in the ninth season of TV comedy "Seinfeld," which first aired Dec. 18, 1997.
Festivus, according to "Seinfeld," is celebrated annually on Dec. 23. (In Tucson, however, Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association and KXCI got a head start with the Community Festivus dance held Sunday.)
"Seinfeld" fans will recall this this episode in which Frank Costanza — George's off-the-wall dad — is increased commercialism and consumerism of the December holidays. So the Costanza family celebrates Festivus, and George's boss joins the family for the so-called celebration.
The traditions of Festivus, include:
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- An unadorned aluminum pole to contrast with holiday materialism decoration.
- The "Airing of Grievances" sharing with others how they have disappointed you in the past year.
- A Festivus dinner.
- The "Feats of Strength," in which the head of the household must be pinned, as in wrestling.
The non-holiday has its own website, festivusweb.com and Facebook page, where you can find all sorts of festivus trivia, quizzes and even the history of the holiday.
