"Seinfeld"/Festivus Question

Cafe Society
1

My first kid was born in 1990 and that pretty much was the end of the light-hearted viewing of television situation comedies for me, so bear with my ignorance here.

What was the idea behind the invention of “Festivus” on the Seinfeld show? Was it supposed to be a winter holiday for non-Christians, non-African-Americans, and non-observant Jews? Or was it supposed to supercede Christmas, Kwaanza, and Hannukah altogether?

This merry holiday season, when the calendar has decreed that Hannukah is already over and Christmas is still two weeks away, has left me in a salutations bind…my usual “Happy Holidays” won’t work, because I am afraid someone will say “Hannukah is OVER ALREADY and we DON’T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, you ANTI-SEMITIC SON OF A BITCH!!!” So I’m left with a weak “Enjoy the rest of the holidays,” or, even worse, “Happy New Year.” (I used to say “Happy Solstice,” but people started breaking out the garlic and crucifixes when they saw me coming.)

So I’m kinda liking the idea of a catch-all holiday for EVERYONE.

2

Remember, it is a festivus for the restofus!
Now, let me air my grievances, Ike, explaining how you have disappointed me over the past year.
And prepare for the feats of strength!

3

I think it was supposed to supercede all of the holidays that occur this time of year, but especially Christmas:

From the horse’s mouth:

Don’t forget about the aluminum pole:

…and the Feats of Strength:

4

Look for Ben & Jerry’s Festivus flavor–that’s how I like to celebrate this special time (I am not making this up)

5

That series of quotes is great-- thanks for digging them up for us.

:slight_smile:

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**
[/QUOTE]

I think this should be reposted every year at this time, to remind us what Festivus is really all about. Kinda like that kid with the blanket on that one show who says that stuff on the stage to that other kid.

Happy

7

Hmm, apparently you can’t quote quotes from within a post.

Anyway, my previous post was supposed to include all of the dialogue from the show…

Happy

8

I think the “airing of grievances” is a masterstroke.

9

I know I will be celebrating Festivus this year with my family. I’m also going to be getting a Festivus pole this weekend for the office.

Isn’t the official date for Festivus on the 23rd of December?

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Oh, everyone on my block is CONSTANTLY trying to outdo each other with their Festivus poles. I just know if I get a ten-foot pole this year, my neighbor will show up with a 12-footer.

(Thank you, Terminus.)

11

Some more Googling turns up the SeinFAQ, which pretty much says whatever was in the script. It does confirm that Festivus falls on Dec 23.

Happy Festivus!

12

Dec 23? That’s when gift day falls in GameCube’s Animal Crossing game. I wonder…

13

Would the Festivus Airing of Grievances be a cool Pit thread or what?

I don’t know how appropriate it would be though, mods?

14

It’s Festivus miracle!!!

15

A donation has been made in the name of
THE STRAIGHT DOPE MESSAGE BOARD
to the Human Fund.

The Human Fund™
“Money for People™”

16

Actually, one of the guys I work with has a Festivus party every year…we use a giant aluminum tent pole from a marquee. I’m looking forward to next Monday night…my list of grievances is in preparation.

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[hyjack] My mother invented a springtime non-religious holiday called Chicken Day. I kid you not. The proper salutation is “Jolly Chicken Day.” Just another example of how horrifically similar my life is to Sienfeld. [/hyjack]

And a ditto on the Ben and Jerry’s Festivus flavor. Mmmm. Gingerbread ice cream. I like.

18

A few years ago, KTLA in Los Angeles actually played this episode on December 23rd. Another Festivus Miracle!

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I don’t think there would be a problem since that’s what the pit is for. I’ll email one of the mods, though. This is a cool idea!

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Let me know what they say JustPlainBryan.