Festivus

Festivus is no longer just a joke holiday; it is becoming increasingly popular every year, with more and more people joining in the celebrations in the United States (and beyond!).

History

Festivus is a great alternative to Christmas, when it comes to the end of year budgeting. Not only do we have to worry about gifts, but there are also all the other expenses that come with the holidays. Do you feel the pressure of society and stereotypes? Then join in the Festivus fun!

Festivus was founded by American writer Daniel O’Keefe, but was popularized by his son Dan after he featured it in an episode of Seinfeld called “The Strike” which aired in 1997. His dedication to the unique holiday didn’t stop there; in 2005 a book was published entirely dedicated to the date.

Interesting facts

• Festivus was originally conceived in honor of the first date with Daniel O’Keefe’s future wife.
• The family had been celebrating the date since 1966, with turkey and ham always present on the table.
• It is believed that during the celebrations all the discontent and disappointments from the past year should be thrown out.
• Dan was unsure whether to include the holiday in the episode or not.
• Those who worked on the episode regretted not calling it something else.

How to take part

To take part in Festivus, you can watch the iconic episode of Seinfeld, or just pay attention to individual passages. It’s even more fun if you’ve never seen it before! Then you can recreate some of the rituals shown in the episode with friends or family. You can also gather together and invent your own traditions – write them down on a nice piece of paper! Or why not spread the word about the holiday on social media and get more people talking about it?

When is Festivus celebrated in 2023?

Festivus is observed on December 23 each year.

Observations