# The true origins of Festivus **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 23, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402 "2004-12-23T23:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/1 "2004-12-23T23:07:00Z")
The [real story](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/19/fashion/19FEST.html?ex=1104842379&ei=1&en=7a48c655209ef2ac) behind the holiday for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![JustPlainBryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@JustPlainBryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustPlainBryan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/2 "2004-12-23T23:28:55Z")
A heartwarming tale, to be sure. I celebrate Festivus every December 23rd, and keep Festivus in the heart all year long. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/3 "2004-12-23T23:39:24Z")
That is completely wonderful. Next year I’m going to see if I can get the **jillelope** to do Festivus instead of the usual Orgy of Capitalism. In fact, I have an idea for an improvement: I think the Festivus Pole shold be _stolen_ instead of bought. We’ll see if she goes for it. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/4 "2004-12-24T00:07:24Z")
Kramer: She must have been some doll. Frank: She was! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/5 "2004-12-24T00:23:41Z")
We had a festivus pole at work. It was pice of conduit stuck in a roll of wire someone found in the warehouse. Tho we did tape candy canes to it. We had “presents” under it - a candle that looked like a beer can, an empty water bottle, an epmpty pop can, a slinky, etc. No wrestling or anything else tho. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/6 "2004-12-24T00:39:02Z")
[frank]I’m very disappointed in you all.[/frank] ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/7 "2004-12-24T00:53:50Z")
“Will there be an airing of the grievances and feats of strength?” omfg, I’m dyin. I forgot this part of festivus. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/8 "2004-12-24T01:46:18Z")
> [@Linked Article](#): > > The holiday evolved during the 1970’s, when the elder Mr. O’Keefe began doing research for his book “Stolen Lightning” (Vintage 1983), a work of sociology that explores the ways people use cults, astrology and the paranormal as a defense against social pressures. Hey…I’ve got that book! Under the circumstances, it bears another read. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/9 "2004-12-24T01:50:18Z")
Today is my daughters birthday. We try very hard to keep it from being overshadowed by Festivus. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/10 "2004-12-24T02:53:42Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > We had a festivus pole at work. It was pice of conduit stuck in a roll of wire someone found in the warehouse. Tho we did tape candy canes to it. > We had “presents” under it - a candle that looked like a beer can, an empty water bottle, an epmpty pop can, a slinky, etc. > > No wrestling or anything else tho. > > Brian Highly irregular. ‘Buffing the pole’ is not allowed either. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/11 "2004-12-24T06:53:15Z")
“Shut up and fight you father.” ---
**Author:** ![fc1114](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@fc1114](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fc1114)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-origins-of-festivus/281402/12 "2004-12-24T23:55:53Z")
It’s a Festivus miracle!!