How to Have a Festivus Party

Any pole made of aluminum can serve as a Festivus pole.

First popularized on an episode of the "Seinfeld" television show in the 1990s, Festivus has become a popular alternative celebration for anyone who finds the traditional holiday season too commercial. Celebrated on December 23rd, it relies heavily on celebrant participation and activities. Gifts may be exchanged, but are usually strictly anti-commercial (horrible gifts celebrants have been given in the past are often regifted, for example). Its tagline is "Festivus: a holiday for the rest of us."

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum pole
• Audio recorder (optional)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snacks

Instructions

1. Erect the aluminum pole in an upright position. Refer to it as the "Festivus pole," and place it anywhere you see fit; part of the charm of Festivus is that the holiday is low-stress, and you can celebrate it however you like.

2. Serve plenty of snack foods and alcoholic beverages. Honor the uncomplicated nature of the holiday by simply serving things celebrants like, rather than trying to impress or out-spend anyone else.

3. Choose which "Feats of Strength" you would like to include in your Festivus party. Go with wrestling if you want to be true to the "Seinfeld" episode, but keep in mind that injury could result. Choose a less intense Feat of Strength if celebrants attending are not particularly athletic.

4. Create ground rules for the "Airing of Grievances." Use an audio recorder if you like, asking celebrants to record grievances on their way in to the party, then playing them back to the assembled group later in the evening. Air them live, rather than recorded, if you prefer; Festivus is open-ended and adaptable.

Tips & Warnings

• Establishing ground rules for the Airing of Grievances can, in many ways, make or break your Festivus party. It will often depend on the group of celebrants you have invited. If you know them well and are sure that personal grievances can be aired with a minimum of party-killing drama, encourage personal grievances. However, if it is an office party where you do not know the celebrants well, grievances should be more generalized. Choose complaints about the weather, the local public transit system or other more universally held grievances.

• Feats of Strength can be as simple as arm wrestling, a game of Twister, or even physically demanding video games. Horseshoes, darts and similar games may also qualify. If celebrants are very athletic, consider activities more tailored to their tastes.

• Avoid tinsel or other decorations at all costs. They are against the core precepts of Festivus.

References

• DIY Life: Throw a Festivus Party
• The New York Times: Fooey to the World--Festivus is Come