Happy Festivus! All About ‘Seinfeld’ Holiday (and Other Fictional TV Festivities)

Festivus, ‘Seinfeld’

Festivus was introduced by Jerry Stiller’s Frank Costanza during a Seinfeld episode in 1997. It takes place on December 23rd every year.

Also known as “a Festivus for the rest of us”, the holiday was created for those looking for a Christmas alternative to avoid the pressures and commercialism of the season.

Ways to celebrate include Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, and recognizing easily explained events like Festivus miracles.

Air of Grievances happens immediately after dinner is served, with everyone at the table saying how they have been disappointed in the past year.

Feats of Strength occur after dinner, when the head of the household challenges one person to a wrestling match.

Oh, and don’t forget to trade in your decorated Christmas tree for a plain aluminum pole!

Galentine’s Day, ‘Parks and Recreation’

Galentine’s Day was first introduced by Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope during a Parks and Recreation episode in 2010. It takes place on February 13 every year.

The purpose of the holiday is to recognize and honor the relationships shared with female friends ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Ways to celebrate include throwing a boozy, waffle-filled brunch and exchanging gifts only with girlfriends.

As Leslie put it, “Every February 13th, my girlfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas .”

Chrismukkah, ‘The OC’

Chrismukkah was first introduced by Adam Brody’s Seth Cohen on O.C in 2003. There is no exact date for this holiday, but it lasts nine nights.

The hybrid name is a combination of both Christmas and Hanukkah. Chrismukkah was created as a way to enjoy the best of both holidays.

Ways to celebrate include “eight days of gifts, followed by one day of many gifts,” as described by Seth on the show.

Merlin Peen, ’30 Rock’

The merlin was first introduced by Judah Friedlander’s Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock in 2009. There is no official date for this holiday, but it happens around Christmas time.

It was created to coincide with the Pranksmen’s fake religion called Verdukianism to disenfranchise Kenneth Parcell’s (Jack McBrayer) Secret Santa.

One way to celebrate includes leaving work early at Merlinpeen.

Verdukian beliefs include “the healing power of root beer” and “that a man can have up to nine wives if two of them are men,” according to characters on the show.

Another holiday celebrated within the fictional religion is the Verdukian Holiday of Mouth Pleasures, which includes enjoying free sausage pizza.

Slapgiving, ‘How I Met Your Mother’

Slap giving was first introduced as the title of a How I Met Your Mother episode in 2007. Fans may choose to pass on this celebration, but it takes place on Thanksgiving every year.

It was created when Neil Patrick Harris’s Barney Stinson lost the slap bet, giving Jason Segel’s Marshall Eriksen five slaps that could be given to Barney whenever he wanted. While not a fun holiday for the slap recipient, the comedic episode is an enjoyable one to watch.

Ways to celebrate include choosing a Slapper by Noble Slap Master, doing a countdown to the big event, and cutting out hand-shaped paper turkeys. It also has one official song.

It’s a day filled with slap-atizers and pumpkin pie!

Leap Day, ’30 Rock’

Leap Day became a significant (fictional) holiday when it was first introduced by Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy’s on 30 Rock in 2012. It takes place on February 29 every four years.

The holiday originates from Jack’s dream sequence after he eats rhubarb leaves and is visited by a gilled creature named Leap Day William, who emerges from the Mariana Trench to trade children’s tears for candy.

Ways to celebrate include eating slices of rhubarb, trying new things, wearing blue and yellow, and living by the motto that nothing on Leap Day matters because “real life is in March!”

Treat Yo’ Self Day, ‘Parks and Recreation’

Pamper yourself day was first introduced by Aziz Ansari’s Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation in 2011. It takes place once a year on 13 Oct.

Billed as the “best day of the year,” Tom and Retta’s Donna Meagle makes a full day of reveling and indulging in food, activities, and shopping that make them happy.

Ways to celebrate include indulging in clothes, fragrances, massages, mimosas, fine leather goods, and eating sushi formerly owned by celebrities — just like the two do on the show.

Ludachristmas, ’30 Rock’

Merry Christmas was first introduced by the cast and writers during an episode of the same name on 30 Rock in 2007. There is no official date when this holiday takes place, but it happens around Christmas time.

Every year, Girlie Show the staff holds a long-awaited company office party ahead of the holidays. The party is legendary for its full festivities and litter of corporate Christmas gifts.

Ways to celebrate include hiring a stripper, throwing away useless gadgets (like photo scanners and shredders) and letting loose in a booze-clouded bubble before returning home for the holidays. It’s a time to vent office-related frustrations in a safe Christmas sweater-wearing way.

Best Friends Day, ‘SpongeBob Squarepants’

Best Friends Day was first introduced as a fictional holiday during an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants in 2007. It takes place on February 19 every year.

The day was created to recognize and honor the relationship between friends. On the show, Patrick Star celebrates his friendship with SpongeBob through chewing gum.

Ways to celebrate include giving your friends gifts you think they’ll appreciate instead of something you enjoy yourself. (Patrick didn’t get it right the first time and gave SpongeBob a giant ball of chewed gum, which he thought was disgusting.)