Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

On Festivus

by BooMan
Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:26:01 PM EST

I was always attracted to the idea of Festivus, and I'm not surprised to see more and more people taking it seriously.

"My parents -- my mother is Jewish, my father is Christian -- have a Christmas tree set up," said Casuso, 22. 'They think I'm crazy. But I have a Festivus pole set up in the house. I also have a huge banner hanging up that says `Happy Festivus!' And I took all the gifts from under their Christmas tree and put them under my Festivus pole."
The Broward College student is now among the Festivus followers who, like [George] Constanza and his family on the show, feature a pole instead of a tree, air grievances instead of exchanging gifts and compete in feats of strength like wrestling instead of holiday hugs.

There's even a book about the holiday.

Allen Salkin, author of Festivus: the Holiday for the Rest of Us, says the first thing he had to do in writing his book is convince doubters that Festivus is as real as any other holiday.
"Christmas is a holiday built around the birth of Christ," Salkin says. "But certainly there were no Christmas trees in Jerusalem. Kwanzaa was created in what, 1966? That's real. So I don't get what isn't real about families who chose to put up a pole and celebrate feats of strength and air grievances. It's quirky. But that's what we do with holidays -- make them personal by adding quirky touches."

My concern with the viability of Festivus really comes from the airing of grievances part of the tradition. The feats of strength part is good. When you get old you can just arm-wrestle. But I just don't know whether you can have a centuries-long tradition that involves getting the extended family together so they can air their grievances with each other. I mean, we already have Chanukah and Christmas.

On Festivus | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

I thought airing grievances was what we do on thanksgiving. I like the feats of strength thing, but with three boys I'm pretty sure I'd embarrass myself. I could probably take my mom though, with the emphysema and all.

by Second Nature (denn1214 at gmail) on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:29:04 PM EST

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

But what does one do on Festivus Eve?

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:43:13 PM EST

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

That's when you erect the pole, of course.

by Second Nature (denn1214 at gmail) on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:44:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

And, after erecting the pole, you go boycott a bagel shop.

by BooMan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:51:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

In a George Bush economy a metal pole is what most can afford.

by americanforliberty on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 01:17:38 PM EST

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

"But I just don't know whether you can have a centuries-long tradition that involves getting the extended family together so they can air their grievances with each other. I mean, we already have Chanukah and Christmas. "

the difference is that the airing of grievances at Xmas and hannukah is incidental, not indigenous, to the holiday. It comes from family members seeing each other in a group, and old resentments seep to the surface.

With festivus, it's part and parcel of the holiday. One doesn't REALLY need to air grievances on the other two holidays.

as you know, i'm driving to canada tonight with my dad. i am sure he will air all of his grievances with me on the ride.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 01:38:36 PM EST

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

And I'm equally sure you'll are a grievance about not checking if you can fly from Canada to the States without a passport before showing up at the airport without one.

by BooMan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 01:47:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

oh yeah. especially after checking the weather report for tonight and tomorrow, which can be summed up in one word. no, two: "miserable snow"

70% chance tonight, 90% chance tomorrow. we leave at 6:00 PM.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 01:58:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

bring blood pressure medicine.

by BooMan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 03:53:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

i stick with pot, does the same thing.
and we're bringing a couple nice winter ales to wind down.

one of these days, everything is going to balance out, and then she'll be the one driving 17 hours round trip.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 04:27:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: On Festivus (none / 0)

with your old man?

by BooMan on Tue Dec 23rd, 2008 at 04:31:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

On Festivus | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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