December is a month brimming with tradition, good tidings, cheer and parties with friends, co-workers and family. Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza are big holidays this month but did you know there is another holiday gaining popularity*? It is Festivus.
What is Festivus? Well if you were a Seinfeld fan in the late 90’s you may recall the episode “The Strike” when George Costanza’s father explains the origin of Festivus.
Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
Kramer: What happened to the doll?
Frank Costanza: It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born … a Festivus for the rest of us!
Kramer: That must’ve been some kind of doll.
Frank Costanza: She was.
Here is a video explaining the holiday. If you are not into that, skip below, for the highlights.
The Components of Festivus
Decorations: A single aluminum pole. Stand it up, somehow.
Religious or spiritual significance: None.
Gifts: None are required however if you do want to exchange gifts “Give something you do not want that you expect the recipient doesn’t want either”.
Airing of the Grievances: Inform people how they have disappointed you during the year. We take it a step further, hook up our karaoke machine, and crank up the volume. Anyone can walk up to the mike during the evening and unleash the hounds. For example, I discovered last year that Lesley found my wine charms annoying. Chris was encouraged to occasionally, move his hands from the 10 o’clock – 2 o’clock position when he drives.
Feats of Strength: The celebration is not over until the head of the family is pinned to the ground. We ignore that requirement and play for a giant recycled trophy with a strangers name engraved on the front. This year’s challenge is rock paper scissors elimination tournament.
You may be wondering why my husband and I decided to throw a Festivus party. (1) We have super fun friends and (2) We thought it would be a hoot. Turns out, it was such a success we are hosting our fifth annual party.
I believe Festivus qualifies** as a green holiday for a variety of reasons.
- All the “gifts” (and I use that word loosely) are repurposed or freecycled. We scour grandparents/parents basements, curb side items and garage sale finds in search of the perfect unwanted present.
- Our Festivus pole was recycled. It came from our neighbour garbage pile after he dismantled an old gazebo. I took it in broad daylight and every year the rust grows a little higher on the pole. It is quite a sight.
- There is absolutely no need for decorations like bows and paper. Gifts are unwrapped; in fact, they are best in grungy recycled bags and old boxes or simply handed over without any warm emotion or sentiment.
- Finally, our Festivus party is green because everyone consciously leaves the car at home and walks. A night with fewer cars on the road is good for the environment. <wink wink>
This is how we celebrate Festivus. I look forward to a night of laughter and great fun with friends.
Happy Festivus…for the rest of us!
* not really
** totally joking
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
So fun – what a riot.
Feel bad about the wine charm’s shot – but, I have to be true to myself – still not a fan!
Let the games begin ..
Don’t feel bad about the wine charms. I’ve got even BETTER ones this year. LOL
We have discovered that our daughters can make the best wine charms ever using short pieces of different-coloured pipe cleaners, intertwined in different colour combinations. Now we will just have to have a Festivus party to see if they are disappointing to others.
Fun!
Laughed out loud at the airing of the grievances. I would almost be afraid to know what habits I have that irritate people:) Wine charms are not one I would ever have suspected – I use them and always thought they were quite clever. I’ll have to take an informal survery now.
Thanks for sharing this fun festival, Laura. I never saw Seinfeld until a DVD copy someone gave me about a year ago, and this episode was not one of them. But too bad.
Happy Festivus.
Grievance: It bugs me that you are clever enough to tie in green to a post on Festivus. Does that count as a grievance? Am I an official Festivusian now? LOL
Finola – thanks for the pipe cleaner wine charm tip. I’m working on a super annoying wine charm craft this year.
Denise – LOL Love the grievance – you’ve got the Festivus spirit!
The kindhearted nature of our friends makes the Airing of the Grievances and the rest of the night so fun. Nothing nasty…it’s always a hoot. The key to a successful Festivus is inviting friends with the same sense of humour. We are really lucky.
p.s. “Festivusian” is brilliant.
I kind of thought when you said Festivus was “green”, you meant the party goers the day after.
Sounds like a hoot… I want in! I even know where to get those mentioned re-gifts
You certainly sound like you have a good grasp of the meaning (or lack of) of Festivus L.H. Awesome
My athiest husband recently told me that we should become a “Festivus” household! LOL Given how stressed everyone’s been this December, I’m thinking that he might be on to something…
See…Festivus really IS for the rest of us Pauline.
Sounds like you are all going to have a great time!