Sometimes we experience flashbacks of the show. Like waiting in a line for an eternity and feeling overlooked, one of us might say, “Remember the Chinese restaurant episode?” Or when ordering soup when out to eat, we may chuckle and say, “No soup for you!” Or when walking to our car after shopping, we might think of the one about the parking garage when the characters couldn’t locate their car.
Fans of “Seinfeld” since it premiered in July of 1989, it’s not uncommon for us, a friend, or relative to mention a particular scene or more often a specific line in regular conversation. Just recently, I heard these lines at home. “These pretzels are making me thirsty,” “Step off,” and “You’re an anti-dentite”! Ha!
From my journal: August 24, 1996, Fountain Hills, Arizona
“Didn’t know many at the Triebers’ party…not much talk until someone asked, ‘What’s your favorite Seinfeld episode?’…got everyone talking and laughing.”
“Seinfeld” is still at the top of my all-time favorites. Perhaps you’re a fan, too. While there are so many memorable episodes produced over the nine seasons it ran, this time of year I always think of “The Strike” which aired on December 18, 1997. In it, Jerry dates a woman he refers to as “two faced” because she looks attractive sometimes and ugly other times. Kramer returns to his job at a bagel shop and goes on strike because his boss won’t give him time off for the holidays. George makes up a charity called the Human Fund to get out of buying gifts for his co-workers, and Elaine gives out a fake number to a guy at a party only to discover she’s written it on a Subway sandwich punch card and needs it back! These premises alone are funny but add to it George’s dad’s creation of the holiday he calls Festivus. Well, that puts this episode over the top, way over! And the funniest part to me is that people actually celebrate Festivus!
If you’re not familiar with Festivus or need a refresher…here’s the scoop. It is usually celebrated on December 23rd although some enjoy it anytime of year. A secular holiday, it was created as an alternative to the obligations, pressures, and commercialism of Christmas. Shunning tradition, George’s dad proudly states his holiday is, “A Festivus for the rest of us.”
There are five main components to this celebration. It all begins with a pole. An aluminum one that is low maintenance and needs no distracting tinsel hanging on it. Two inches in diameter and about 5 feet long, a Festivus Pole can be easily found at any hardware store. Once the pole is in place, participants sit down to a Festivus dinner, but before sharing a meal, there is a sharing of another kind. It is called the Airing of Grievances. Each person tells a friend or family member at the table all the times and ways they have disappointed them that year. Appetizing as that is, the next part is the Festivus meal. Simple, it consists of meatloaf on a bed of lettuce, nothing else.
After dinner, it’s time for Feats of Strength. This is when the head of the household chooses a friend or family member to wrestle. Yes, wrestle! This feat continues until the head honcho is pinned. And the fifth part is the Festivus Miracle. Anything easy to explain or awkward can serve as a miracle, and there only needs to be one per holiday. In “The Strike” episode when Jerry’s girlfriend barges into their gathering everyone shouts, “It’s a Festivus Miracle!”
If all of this doesn’t sound cheery enough, here are two more Fun Facts about Festivus. Fun Fact One, the origin of this holiday has roots in reality. Dan O’Keefe, a writer on the “Seinfeld” show decided to include Festivus in the episode when he recalled a similar holiday his father invented in 1966. His family’s celebration included both an Airing of Grievances and a wrestling match, just like on the show!
Fun Fact Two, there are reference guides available to help you make the most of this holiday! You can buy a copy of Festivus! The Book by Mark Nelson, a humorous guide to celebrating this zany holiday. It’s on Amazon for only $16. 95. Or you can purchase the definitive book by Dan O’Keefe himself. It’s entitled, The Real Festivus: The True Story Behind America’s Favorite Made Up Holiday for $27.97. And yet another option is to purchase a Festivus / Seinfeld Kit (RP Minis) which includes a 9-inch tall Festivus pole, a device with the voice of George’s dad describing the story of Festivus, as well as 5 Human Fund donation cards, and 2 decorative magnets, all for only $12.56. Quite a bargain!
Though Christmas is now in the rear view, perhaps next December if you’re in the festive spirit but want a break off from all hustle and bustle of Christmas, you may be ready for a change. You may decide to say, “No, Thank You,” to the traditional holiday and instead exclaim, “This year I’m celebrating Festivus! Yes, a Festivus for the rest of us!”
And if Festivus is already celebrated in your home, I’d love to hear about it!
A Journal Journey 