That must've been some kind of doll.

A Happy and Vigorous Festivus to all.

I was unaware of this fabulous festival until this very month, when while poking around on the net, I happened upon this post, which observed that Amazon.com is selling a Festivus pole light fixture ("We have seen it all now."). Despite seemingly being intended for permanent installation, and overly adorned, I'm sure that many celebrators of Festivus will be proud to air their grievances around it.

Having done a modicum of research, I'm prepared to say that the most comprehensive primer on Festivus is available from the great Wiki, with which, coincidentally, many grievances have lately been aired.

Seinfeld episode164 ("The Strike") tells the story of the origins of Festivus. The conversation between Frank Constanza and Cosmo Kramer went something like this:

Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
Cosmo Kramer: What happened to the doll?
Frank Costanza: It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born . . . a Festivus for the rest of us!
Cosmo Kramer: That must've been some kind of doll.
Frank Costanza: She was.

It's been eight years since "The Strike" first aired, and Festivus has taken its place in the culture. Without any real evidence, Smash suspects that the "airing of grievances" is the part of Festivus most likely to lead to psychological health, although this is not without the risk of engendering some unfortunate collateral social rifting. Should you find yourself without others to share Festivus this year, or wish to avoid any social rifting, please consider airing any grievances you might have in our comment section. We won't tell anyone.