How to Throw a Festavus Party

Use a large barbell for a Festivus table centerpiece.

If you are one of those people that are tired of Christmas becoming such a commercialized party, a festavus party may be for you. Festavus can be traced back to Daniel O'Keefe who found the odd holiday in a book. O' Keefe's son was a writer on Seinfeld and bought the obscure holiday to life in Episode 10 in the ninth season of this popular show. This comical holiday party is ideal if you want to celebrate the holiday season but want to do something different and unexpected.

Things You'll Need

• Metal pole
• Terra cotta pot
• Dirt
• Rocks
• Miniature barbells
• Marker
• Paper
• Hat

Instructions

1. Create Festivus invitations on the computer to set the tone for this fun event. Use an image of the Frank or George Costanza characters from the show or simply a metal pole. Underneath the image put "Festivus for the Rest of Us" in a bold font. Insert the party information on the inside of the card.

2. Place an industrial metal pole that is skinny and light in a terra cotta pot. Keep the metal pole in place by putting dirt and rocks in the pot. Remember the pole is not supposed to be decorated.

3. Decorate your table with Festivus decorations such as tiny barbells to symbolize the Feats of Strength or small silver nails in a miniature flower pot filled with dirt to represent the aluminum pole.

4. Use a dark marker to write "Happy Festivus" on a banner. Place it in a prominent place.

5. Give your guests an "Airing of Grievances" form so they can write down all their disappointments of the past year in the other guests. Use a desktop publishing program to create the forms. Instruct them to fill the forms out. It's a good idea to keep the forms anonymous and keep the complaints lighthearted and humorous. This isn't the time for serious complaints where feelings get hurt. The host should read the forms when everyone has gathered to eat dinner.

6. Gather at the dinner table for a meal. The meal can be anything that you want to serve.

7. Gather everyone and watch the hilarious "The Strike" episode of Seinfeld, which features this one-of-a-kind holiday.

8. Conclude the party with feats of strength. Some possible challenges include bouts of thumb wrestling, rock-paper-scissors, arm wrestling or staring contest. Write the challenges on small pieces of paper and toss them in a hat. Allow your guests to pick out random feats from the hat. The party can't conclude without having a wrestling match between two guests. In the original episode, the head of the household was the person that tested their strength but it's a lot more fun to have other guests involved.

Tips & Warnings

• Although Festivus is traditionally celebrated on Dec. 23, its fine to hold this holiday party on a date where your guests are able to attend

References

• Festivus Web: The Origins-of-Festivus

Resources

• Seinfeld-Fan: Festivus