Public Service Announcement: FESTIVUS IS UPON IS

December 23rd is right around the corner everybody. Is your Pole ready?

Continue reading for a telling of the history of festivus

Time to take you back…… buckle up and PICTURE THIS: 

The year is 1997….. Seinfeld decides to give us an early present— “Festivus,” a unique holiday introduced by George Costanza’s father, Frank. With its slogan, “A Festivus for the rest of us!” 

Thanks to some internet sleuthing here’s what I learned and what IMMA share with you.

Conception and History of Festivus:

Festivus was created by Daniel O'Keefe, the father of Seinfeld writer Dan O'Keefe, as an alternative holiday for his family. The tradition started in the O'Keefe household in the 1960s as a way to counter the commercialization and stress of Christmas. The original Festivus celebration was a simple, low-key affair, featuring an unadorned metal pole instead of a Christmas tree and a series of activities designed to encourage family members to air grievances and engage in feats of strength. While it was a private family tradition for years, Dan O'Keefe later introduced the concept to the Seinfeldwriters' room in the 1990s, where it was adapted into a comedic holiday for the show.

Festivus made its debut in the 1997 Seinfeld episode titled “The Strike,” where it became a central theme. The holiday's key components—the Festivus pole, the "Airing of Grievances," and the "Feats of Strength"—were all part of the episode's quirky depiction of the holiday. While the show's portrayal was comedic, Festivus quickly gained a life of its own in pop culture, with fans adopting the holiday and celebrating it in a similar spirit of irreverence. Today, Festivus is recognized as a tongue-in-cheek alternative holiday, often celebrated on December 23rd, as seen in Seinfeld, with gatherings that include family squabbles, feats of strength, and the display of an unadorned aluminum pole.

The Episode "The Strike" and Festivus:

In the Seinfeld episode “The Strike,” George Costanza reveals that his family has celebrated Festivus for years, and he invites his friends to participate. The holiday begins with the "Airing of Grievances," where people share their disappointments with one another. George, in particular, airs grievances about his father, Frank Costanza, who often becomes the focal point of the holiday's unusual rituals. Frank, portrayed as the creator of Festivus, is adamant about sticking to the traditions, much to the bemusement of those around him. This includes the central element of Festivus, the unadorned aluminum pole, which Frank insists is a symbol of “the struggles of the human spirit.”

As the celebration unfolds, the characters take part in the various Festivus rituals. One of the most memorable moments occurs when Frank challenges George to the “Feats of Strength,” which involves a wrestling match. The holiday culminates with a typical Seinfeld-style conclusion, as the characters continue to struggle with the absurdity of the traditions. Meanwhile, Kramer, who had previously taken a job working at a bagel shop that only operates during a strange strike, decides to embrace Festivus and take part in the festivities. The episode ends with the characters all involved in the farcical celebration, solidifying Festivus as an iconic piece of the Seinfeld universe.

(This article was compiled through the uses of the Seinfeld wiki as well as google)