A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US

Dr. Brian A. Krostenko, summarized in Salkin's book, concludes that in ancient Rome the word, festivs, evolved, referring at times to the way the common folk would misbehave on official religious holidays and at other times to a certain snooty attitude amongst the higher classes.

There's a festivus pole. It requires no decoration and it's made from aluminum with a Very high strength-to-weight ratio."

There are festivus miracles which most people would think of as simple coincidences.

Festivus has two traditions.

"Airing of Grievances", which occurs during the Festivus meal and in which each person tells everyone else all the ways they have disappointed him or her over the past year.


The Feats of Strength is the final tradition observed in the celebration of Festivus, celebrated immediately following the Festivus dinner. The head of the household selects one person at the Festivus celebration and challenges that person to a wrestling match. The person may decline if they have something else to do, such as pull a double shift at work. Tradition states that Festivus is not over until the head of the household is pinned in a wrestling match.