Who celebrates Festivus?

Who celebrates Festivus? Anyone who wants to have some fun and vent some frustration without spending too much money or following any religious rules. As Frank Costanza says, “It’s a Festivus for the rest of us!”

Festivus was conceived by author and editor Daniel O’Keefe, the father of television writer Dan O’Keefe, who wrote the “Seinfeld” episode “The Strike” that featured Festivus. The elder O’Keefe started celebrating Festivus with his family as early as 1966, and the date varied from year to year.

The name “Festivus” came from a Latin word meaning “excellent, jovial, lively”. The phrase “a Festivus for the rest of us” originally referred to those remaining after the death of O’Keefe’s mother in 1976.

The younger O’Keefe adapted some of his father’s traditions and added some new elements for the “Seinfeld” episode, which aired on December 18, 1997. The plot revolves around George Costanza’s father, Frank, who created Festivus as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas.

Since the airing of the “Seinfeld” episode, Festivus has gained popularity among fans of the show and people who are looking for a humorous and unconventional way to celebrate the holiday season.

Some people have adopted or modified some of the Festivus traditions, such as using a different type of pole, serving different dishes, or adding new activities.

Some celebrities, such as Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen and former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, have publicly displayed Festivus poles or tweeted about Festivus.

Festivus has also inspired books, websites, merchandise, and even petitions to make it an official holiday. It has been described as both a parody holiday festival and a form of playful consumer resistance. Journalist Allen Salkin, who wrote a book about Festivus, calls it “the perfect secular theme for an all-inclusive December gathering”.