“A Festivus for the rest of us” is the slogan that has become popular with regard to this holiday. Although the holiday gained popularity when it was incorporated into an episode of Seinfeld in 1997, it was invented in the 1960s by the family of Seinfeld’s script writer Daniel O’Keefe. Festivus is typically viewed as an anti-consumerism and secular holiday. The holiday generally consists of three aspects: the Festivus pole (adorned with just lights), a dinner, and grieving the past year. Two other aspects that were included in the Seinfeld version also include the feat of strength (a wrestling match) and the listing of Festivus miracles. For further information for the holiday I recommend reading Dan O’Keefe’s “The Real Festivus”.
Religion in the Margins of Everyday Life