The Most Whimsical Holiday of All

Today is the most amusing, whimsical holiday of all.

There’s no exchanging of gifts or twinkling lights. Instead, you have an unadorned aluminum pole standing proud in defiance of Christmas’s pressure and excess.

The celebratory meal? A humble meatloaf with no sides.

Everyone seated ‘round the table has the opportunity to air their grievances, and families bond over wrestling the father of the house.

Fellow Seinfeld fans will of course know what I’m talking about—but if you, unlike me, weren’t raised on the greatest sit-com ever to grace televisions the world round…

I’m proud as a penguin and pleased as a pineapple to introduce you to Festivus: A secular holiday celebrated on December 23rd as an alternative to the commercialism of the Christmas season.

Popularized by The Strike episode of Seinfeld, Festivus is a real, albeit niche and facetious holiday—dreamed up by writer Daniel O’Keefe and brought to life by his son Dan, who was a writer on the show.

While the real life Festivus comes from interesting flat-out crazy origins that I’ll save for another time, the version that was popularized and is celebrated today is explained here:

Now at this point I imagine you might be wondering, “Alexander… Do you REALLY set up an aluminum pole in your house, engage in familial wrestling matches, and tell everyone present how they’ve disappointed you in the past year?”

Kinda, sorta, not really.

Every year, I think of Festivus and watch the relevant Seinfeld episode. I’ve put up a pole before, and on more than a few occasions have engaged in the airing of grievances. Wrestling doesn’t usually happen, and meatloaf is a dish I don’t particularly care for.

Regardless, what I love most about Festivus is the underlying meaning: A playful antidote to the commercial pressures that cause much strife this time of year.

This time of year quickly becomes so stressful for so many—which is a shame, considering Christmas should be about connection, rather than capitalism. 

In truth, while there are aspects of the holiday I enjoy, my favourite Christmas of all time was in 2016—which I spent in Greece with my father, who I rarely see. 

There were no shiny packages or blinking lights—just Athens’ timeless charm, my dad’s home cooking, and the kind of connection that can’t be bought.

We had a lovely lunch with my grandma, then wandered Athens under winter’s golden sun in search of espresso—eventually climbing a lookout that revealed the whole city. We finished the day with plenty of wine and my dad’s culinary delights.

So whether you’re wrestling your dad, digging into a meatloaf, wandering ancient cities, or celebrating as you please, may you find peace and laughter this season.

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander

(AKA: Wiz, WOW, and The Wizard of Wordcraft)