Happy festivus!!!

The holiday was invented in 1966 by Dan O'Keefe - whose son Daniel became a writer for the TV show Seinfeld. In 1997 he wrote the episode where George's father insists on celebrating Festivus rather than the more burdensome Christmas.

Wikipedia reports that the writer's father discovered the holiday in a book of obscure European celebrations. (He later wrote a book about "the social theory of magic" as a ritual with real social significance.) He was also inspired by Samuel Beckett's play "Crapp's Last Tape," in which an elderly man makes a tape recording of his grievances throughout his life.

So next year when December 23 rolls around, be sure to shout out: Happy Festivus!

It's even better than Chrismukkah. (As seen on The O.C.)

Link via Kevin Drum

Permalink