Festivus for the rest of us

    Being a fan of Seinfeld, there are some things that the show has given us that became actual holidays or even quotes that were memorable. One memorable thing was a holiday that was made up by one of the writers, because when he was a child, it really happened to him. It's called.... Festivus.

   In an episode called "the strike", it seems during the holidays, George Costanza gets a card from his parents that celebrates a holiday created by his father called "Festivus." Costanza's father created the holiday after he was trying to buy a toy doll for George. Instead of having a tree, they would have an aluminum pole that requires no tinsel or decorations.

   There's also a famous saying called: "Festivus for the rest of us." What does it mean? I don't know, but it's fun to say. How did this holiday happen? Well, a couple of years after the show ended, someone decided to make this holiday a real holiday. Starting before Christmas Eve, December 23rd is not only a day for luminaries, but also to air your grievance.

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   There's even a book about the holiday and how it was created. All from an episode of Seinfeld. The writer of this episode said that his father, Daniel O'Keefe created the holiday because it was a commeration of his first date with his wife Deborah, or something like that.

    If you ever have heard of the Human Fund, it's a fake charity created by George Costanza because he feels it's best to steal money from his boss. I think it's best to say.... Costanza's an idiot. However, he is found out when the accounting department cannot find any charity called the Human Fund and he has to tell his boss the truth and that he celebrates...Festivus. 

   Apparently, Dan O'Keefe, the writer of the Strike episode, wanted to make his father's idea of a holiday into something that would turn into the 'feasts of strength afterwards.' What are the feats of strength? After you finish your meal, it seems the father, Frank Costanza decides to fight George until he is pinned down and surrenders. 

    You also know what else happens in that episode, Kramer goes back to his old job working with Bagels until he strikes again. After learning what Festivus is all about, he wants to take the 23rd off. Without that happening.... he goes on strike. Elaine also meets a good-looking guy at a Hannukah party and gives him a fake phone number.

  

   Jerry even meets a nice girl at the same party only...she's very different the next time they meet. Elaine also gets an ugly surprise, or what Kramer calls "A Festivus miracle" when two guys she knows tries to explain the fake number situation using their business number as the fake. It seems the two men want to date her as well. Jerry eventually breaks up with his girlfriend.

   So....what does "Festivus for the Rest of us" truly mean? Well... it actually has a meaning. It means.... "Joyous holiday and feast day." I guess it means enjoying the day and eating food. Like every day, this particular day is a holiday. You don't have to celebrate it, but it does mean a holiday that only can be explained through the eyes of a Seinfeld writer. And Frank Costanza would agree that it's the one holiday where you can fight your son in the feasts of strengths.