Friday, December 18, 2009

Festivus - The Holiday for the Rest of Us.


Festivus is a holiday that was never known until the episode of Seinfeld “The Strike.” Festivus was not a holiday until “The Strike” aired on December 18, 1997. In the episode, Kramer goes back to his job after being on strike for 25 years, and goes on strike again. Now to Festivus, George gets a letter from his dad that says ‘Happy Festivus’ and Jerry told everybody about it.

Festivus is a holiday celebrated by people who are frustrated by the commercialism of Christmas and Hanukkah. Festivus occurs on December 23. It is celebrated with an aluminum pole instead of a Christmas tree. The dinner starts out with each person telling everybody else in the family how disappointed they are in them.

One company in Wisconsin manufactures and sells Festivus poles. There are several books written about Festivus, also. Festivus also used to be a name for a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, it is now retired. One of the governors of Wisconsin had a Festivus pole in his house and is now part of the Wisconsin Historical Museum.

WATCH THE STORY OF FESTIVUS NOW!!!