Festivus pole

A Festivus for the Rest of Us"
­ The origins of the Festivus celebration can be dated back to one (fictional) man's refusal to conform to the increased commercialism and consumerism which has saturated the December holiday season. This man's name is Frank Costanza­. During a routine outing to secure a Christmas gift for his son George, events transpired which would forever change the landscape of the holiday season.

In his own words: "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! [The doll] was destroyed. But out of that, a new holiday was born. 'A Festivus for the rest of us!'"


Festivus is held on December 23 each year. It was created as a response to the commercialism of the other December holidays. Its slogan is "A Festivus for the rest of us."

The Festivus celebration includes three major components:

The Festivus Pole

During Festivus, an unadorned aluminum pole is displayed, apparently in opposition to the commercialization of decorated Christmas trees, and because the holiday's creator, Frank Costanza, "Finds tinsel distracting."

The Airing of Grievances

At the Festivus dinner, the celebrant tells their friends and family all of the instances where they disappointed the celebrant that year. Airing of Grievances Worksheet

The Feats of Strength

The head of the family tests his or her strength against one participant of the head's choosing. Festivus is not considered over until the head of the family has been pinned. A participant is allowed to decline to attempt to pin the head of the family only if they have something better to do instead.