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The Origins of Festivus
Festivus was first mentioned on an episode of Seinfeld entitled "The Strike." Much to George's dismay, Jerry tells Kramer and Elaine of something George hated as a child...a holiday his father Frank created called "Festivus."
Kramer ask George's father about Festivus, and this dialogue takes place:
- FRANK: Kramer, I got your message. I haven't celebrated Festivus in years! What is your interest?
- KRAMER: Well, just tell me everything, huh?
- FRANK: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reach for the last one they had - but so did another man. As I rained blows opon him, I realized there had to be another way!
- KRAMER: What happened to the doll?
- FRANK: It was destroyed. But out of that, a new holiday was born. "A Festivus for the rest of us!"
- KRAMER: That musta been some kind of doll.
- FRANK: She was.
Later in the episode, complete with Festivus pole, the Costanza family celebrates Festivus, again to George's dismay. The regular gang is in attendance, and George's father Frank soon begins the "Airing of Grievances" where he tells everyone at the table all of the problems he's had with them over the past year. The scene soon turns crazy when Frank says it's time for the "Feats of Strength" and George is chosen to wrestle his father. Festivus is not over until someone is pinned!
> Watch Seinfeld Videos in the Extras Section
Festivus Events and Traditions:
The Festivus Pole
- The Festivus pole is an aluminum pole, plain and unadorned, that takes the place of the Christmas Tree. Frank Costanza "finds tinsel distracting."
> View a video of the "Festivus pole" from Seinfeld
Airing of Grievances
- If you've ever played the game "Outburst!" you will be familiar with the type of game that is "The Airing of Grievances". We can't have people insulting each other, so we changed it around a bit.
- The Airing of Grievances will split people into 3 teams. Each group will play a series of challenges that will be phrased like this:
- The problem with _____ is...
The group then attempts to name as many problems with that topic as possible, just shouting as much stuff out as they can. An example: "The problem with Michael Jackson is..." and answers might be things such as "he dangles babies over railings," "he wears a mask out in public," "he wears one glove and sings "Beat It"...you get the picture. Anything goes, and point are awarded for each item on the list the group says during the allotted time period (60 seconds) There is usually a bonus answer that someone has to be brave--or stupid--to say.
The team with the most points wins!
> View a video of the "Airing of Grievances" from Seinfeld
The Feats of Strength
- Originally a wrestling match, we have made this into a Foosball tournament. Each attendee is randomly matched up with a partner to play with. The Feats are played in tournament format (like the NCAA tournament) with NO loser's bracket (sorry, there's just not enough time).
The winners and second-place finishers are crowned Festivus Champions and receive special prizes.
> View a video of the "Feats of Strength" from Seinfeld
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