Today is 'everyone else' holiday in the US: the day of those who do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah

Although it's still a few days away, you're probably already tired of Christmas. Or maybe you don't celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other winter holiday this month. If yes, then December 23rd is your day. Welcome to Festivus, a holiday "for everyone else". Why is it significant, the publication explained Pix11.

Photo: IStock

It all started with the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld. As explained in the 1997 episode "The Strike", George Costanza's father, played by the late Jerry Stiller, was not a fan of the commercialization or religious aspects of Christmas, so he created Festivus.

Instead of a Christmas tree, an undecorated aluminum pole rises, Costanza says — the tinsel can be distracting. There's still holiday food, but instead of turkey or ham, you're enjoying meatloaf on a bed of lettuce (or at least something resembling meatloaf, as far as Seinfeld viewers could tell). You'll also "speak up" to the whole family to share all the disappointments they've made you over the past year.

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And if this is not enough, then part of the holiday is devoted to "feats of strength", during which the head of the family fights with another person present. According to FestivusWeb.com, a website run by Mark Nelson, author of Festivus The Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us, Festivus won't end until the head of the family is beaten.

Seinfeld writer Dan O'Keeffe explained during a podcast that the idea for Festivus comes from his father, who created his own holiday.

While it's unclear how many people are celebrating Festivus, games, shirts, and holiday decorations appear to be popular holiday items on Amazon. Many fans have already tweeted about the pseudo-holiday.

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Last year, Seinfeld's official Twitter account called on viewers to save the tree by tagging Festivus. For every photo posted in honor of Festivus, the account promised to plant a tree. As the report later confirmed, more than 5000 trees were saved.

This year, the authors of the sitcom call on people to support petition about making Festivus a national holiday. Almost 10 people have already signed it.

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