n. An alternative to the crass commercialization of Christmas, typically celebrated on December 23. It involves The Airing of Grievances (telling your family and friends all the ways they have disappointed you during the year) and does not end until the Feats of Strength (pinning the head of the family) are accomplished. A plain, metal pole is used in lieu of a Christmas tree, because decorations (such as tinsel) is distracting from the true meaning of the holiday.
A Festivus for the rest of us! -George Costanza
by Gibson December 22, 2003
Festivus is a holiday created by Mr. Castanza after he failed to buy a doll for his beloved son George. This holiday celebrates the things that grieved you for the past solar cycle (1 year). It is celebrated annually on December 23rd by the Castanza household and Seinfeld super-fans. The abscence of a tree is replaced by an aluminum pole. A festivus ritual is two people wrestling each other remorselessly and the head of the family is to be pinned. The holiday's motto is a festivus for the rest of us. For a period of over 20 years, Festivus was suspended from celebration only to be reencarnated by Cosmo Cramer in 1998.
by A Hizzler November 13, 2004
A holiday that happends every year at 23.12. It's holiday that was made popular in the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike". It was originally created author Daniel O'Keefe. The non-commercial holiday's celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, occurs on December 23 and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles". The episode refers to it as "a Festivus for the rest of us".
A Festivus for the rest of us.
by Jarrekurre December 10, 2018
It's a Festivus for the Rest of Us!
by yadayadayada April 22, 2005
Adapted from the episode of Seinfeld; "The Strike". It must take place between any holiday period. However, it is much preferred to coincide with the December to February holiday atmosphere.
The Festivus consists of "The Airing of Grievances" and the "Feats of Strength". However, in accordance with the official Brisbane-Adelaide agreement “The Airing of Grievances” will be now known as “The Time of Crap Speeches” and “Feats of Strength” will be now known as “Crushing Booze”.
There is an icon known as “The Festivus Pole”. It must be in the form of a microphone stand. It should be tall, golden, long and skinny. The microphone must be broken by the end of Festivus, during intoxicated karaoke sessions.
In the beginning there was Festivus One. It was held in Brisbane in February 2003 and, behold, it was very good. The second Festivus was held in December 2003 in Adelaide and there was light.
And on the seventh day of each Festivus sanctuary will be given to those who have gone without sleep and without walking in a straight line. And he shall rest on the seventh day from all his sauce which he has hacked.
Finally, each day you pass in between each Festivus must be spent spreading forth the good word of Festivus and the adventures that were had.
The Festivus consists of "The Airing of Grievances" and the "Feats of Strength". However, in accordance with the official Brisbane-Adelaide agreement “The Airing of Grievances” will be now known as “The Time of Crap Speeches” and “Feats of Strength” will be now known as “Crushing Booze”.
There is an icon known as “The Festivus Pole”. It must be in the form of a microphone stand. It should be tall, golden, long and skinny. The microphone must be broken by the end of Festivus, during intoxicated karaoke sessions.
In the beginning there was Festivus One. It was held in Brisbane in February 2003 and, behold, it was very good. The second Festivus was held in December 2003 in Adelaide and there was light.
And on the seventh day of each Festivus sanctuary will be given to those who have gone without sleep and without walking in a straight line. And he shall rest on the seventh day from all his sauce which he has hacked.
Finally, each day you pass in between each Festivus must be spent spreading forth the good word of Festivus and the adventures that were had.
"A Festivus, For the Rest of Us!" - Frank Costanza
by Alex December 23, 2003
A rare holiday that combines the traditions of Jews and Christians. They often use a metal pole for their center piece of decoration instead of a christmas tree or lights.
by Jason June 30, 2004
A healthy alternative to Christmas or Chaunaka. Intstead of feeling an overwhelming compulsion to run up credit card debt by purchasing things for people that they will probably not need and regift to someone else next year, you get a microphone stand around which whores can dance. Everyone "airs their grievances" by writing a problem on a piece of paper and putting it into a box (without the person's name). Then people take turns reading them and the others offer solutions or crack on that person. After the anger and embarassment build (which is magnified by massive amounts of alcohol), it is time for "Feats of Strength". These can consist of anything from arm wrestling to tackle football in the backyard to chicken fighting. Unlike Christmas, people are actually real and end up feeling emotionally healed!
Sorry friends and family, I won't be making it to your Christmas parties this year. You should dump them to and come to my first annual "Festivus For the Rest of Us" jam.
by toolguru January 18, 2008