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.
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 peoplewrestling 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.