Festivus the Holiday for the Rest of Us

Looking to add a little bitterness to your holiday season? Then Festivus is the book you cannot do without!

Take Frosty out behind the woodshed and hide your menorahs, kinaras, diyas and whatevahs...the time has come for Festivus! The event celebrated by Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) on Seinfeld, in which a bare aluminum pole replaces all holiday and religious symbols, where participants compete in "feats of strength" and undertake the "airing of grievances," has transcended television to become a worldwide phenomenon. In this side-splitting romp through the Festivus landscape, Allen Salkin meets Miss Festivus, tastes Festivus beer, and ponders the Festivus snail (along with Festy the cat), showing how anyone with a little creativity — and a dash of Costanza — can celebrate a Happy Festivus!

• My Man Plautus: Learn how (and dear God, why?) the ancient Romans invented Festivus.
• Mom, is that you? Peruse dozens of photos and illustrations of Festivus celebrants in their natural habitat.
• Be sure to wash the nails: Learn to cook tasty Festivus recipes like Shrimp impaled on mini Festivus poles and Ham with Junior Mint and Snapple glaze.
• There she is, Miss Festivus! Criteria for judging your own Miss Festivus contest (hint: the abilities to bowl a 170 and clean a carburetor count big).
• Are those my chestnuts roasting? Lyrics and chords to that surefire smash "O Festivus!" and the chart-topping hit all the kids are singing: "Gather 'Round the Pole."
• No fire hazards here: Tips on acquiring a gloriously inflammable aluminum pole.
• A foreword by Father Festivus himself, Jerry Stiller! See why Festivus is more fun than being killed by a giant boulder.

Looking to add a little bitterness to your holiday season? Then FESTIVUS is the book you cannot do without Take Frosty out behind the woodshed and hide your menorahs, kinaras, diyas and whatevahs...the time has come for Festivus The event celebrated by Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) on Seinfeld, in which a bare aluminum pole replaces all holiday and religious symbols, where participants compete in feats of strength and undertake the airing of grievances, has transcended television to become a worldwide phenomenon. In this side-splitting romp through the Festivus landscape, Allen Salkin meets Miss Festivus, tastes Festivus beer, and ponders the Festivus snail (along with Festy the cat), showing how anyone with a little creativity-and a dash of Costanza-can celebrate a Happy Festivus