Festivus: The Holiday for the Grumpy and the Grievous

Festival originated on Seinfeld in 1997, created by Frank Costanza to contrast traditional holiday commercialism

For those who find the typical holiday cheer hard to embrace, there’s an alternative celebration that lets you maintain your grumpiness—Festivus.

Celebrated every year on December 23, Festivus offers a reprieve from traditional holiday norms for those who prefer to channel their inner “bah, humbug!” rather than partake in Christmas festivities. And with the challenges of the past few years, many might find Festivus a cathartic outlet.

Festivus originated from the hit TV show Seinfeld in 1997, where George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander) revealed that his father, Frank Costanza (played by the late Jerry Stiller), had created the holiday as a way to contrast the commercial and religious aspects of traditional December holidays.

The holiday, full of peculiar traditions, quickly gained attention and became a pop culture phenomenon, with the tagline “Festivus for the rest of us!” gaining widespread popularity.

In fact, the roots of Festivus may stretch back even earlier, to 1966, when Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe first heard his father propose the holiday. But it was the Seinfeld episode that solidified the day in holiday lore.

Unlike the traditional Christmas tree, Festivus is marked by a plain, unadorned pole. But perhaps the most famous tradition is the “airing of grievances,” where individuals express their frustrations and disappointments.

It’s a moment to unload all the frustrations of the past year—a practice that may feel especially needed after the turmoil of the pandemic. While it might be tempting to complain about everything that's gone wrong, it’s important to do so mindfully.

After airing grievances, Festivus tradition calls for a physical challenge—wrestling. This is a lighthearted way to release tension with friends or family, though it's important to keep it safe and fun. It’s a quirky tradition that allows everyone to blow off steam and enjoy the absurdity of the day.

While Festivus offers an opportunity to vent, complain, and let out frustrations, it’s important to balance it with a sense of humour and a bit of positivity.

Even Frank Costanza, the creator of Festivus, managed to smile once in a while. So, if you’re celebrating this unique holiday, go ahead—air your grievances, and challenge someone to a wrestling match, but try to leave a tiny space for gratitude and joy, however hard it may be to find.