The holiday known as Festivus is quickly approaching and is eagerly awaited for an assortment of reasons. For starters, it costs virtually nothing. It involves only a pole of some kind — broomsticks are popular — and a gathering of two or more people. Those gathered sit together and the pole is passed for the traditional “Airing of Grievances.” The person wielding the pole tells everyone else all the ways they’ve disappointed him or her over the past year. This tradition dates all the way back to the year 1997, when the first Festivus was featured on the Seinfeld TV show.
Once the grievances have been aired, those taking part sit down for a meal and then there’s at least one more tradition. The head of the household, in a feat of strength, is wrestled to the floor. The holiday officially ends when that person is pinned. Many families are actually thankful the head of the household is mom. Different families celebrate in different ways as detailed in the popular book “Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us.” Festivus is commonly celebrated on December 22nd, the date on which the Seinfeld clan celebrated the first holiday.
###
JQ Lawrence/dba
Copyright © 2009
Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company
12-21-2009 01:13:36
