December 23, 2006
Festivus
turns 40 this year.  The holiday was invented by the father of Daniel O’Keefe, a future Seinfeld writer.  Many find it to be a simple family celebration, free of marketing corruption of Christmas.  Traditions include the aluminum pole, the airing of grievances, and feats of strength.  Meat loaf or spaghetti in a red sauce is traditional, but the writer Allen Salkin recommends a hearty beer, rum, bourbon, or wine.  Now, I've got some problems with you people...
- 
Festivus for the rest of us! Good post, rolypolyman -- you reminded me to wish my friends a happy Festivus today and ask them if they were going to air their grievances and wrestle, which made them laugh.
- 
Transcript of a Washington Post chat with Daniel O' Keefe about the origins of Festivus