behind the news

Nailing Down the Nature of Festivus

December 23, 2004

From an Associated Press story about religious displays that have been erected on public property in Bartow, Florida, including one in honor of the “Seinfeld”-featured holiday celebration Festivus:

The display, a reference to the fake holiday featured on an episode of the television sitcom, did not include the totem of Festivus — a bare aluminum pole instead of a tree. Key rituals of Festivus include accusing others of being a disappointment and wrestling.

Alas, the AP didn’t specifically mention the Airing of Grievances, our favorite Festivus tradition.

Heck, we get paid to do it year-round.

–Brian Montopoli

Brian Montopoli is a writer at CJR Daily.