Christmas and Hanukkah may be the usual stars of this holiday season, but here’s a look at some lesser known but equally festive pop culture holidays that we should all be celebrating.
Festivus (Seinfeld)
When to Celebrate:
Festivus is observed on Dec 23.
Origins:
Festivus is an alternative to the commercialization of Christmas. Created by Daniel O’Keefe – the father of one of the Seinfeld writers – but popularized by the Seinfeld episode, “The Strike“, when Frank Costanza and Kramer resurrect the holiday Frank created many years ago.
Traditions:
Festivus dinner followed by the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength. Festivus miracles are also witnessed.
Decorations:
An aluminum pole requiring no decoration.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because it’s for the rest of us.
Season’s Greetings:
Happy Festivus!
Merlinpeen aka the Verdukian Holiday of Mouth Pleasures (30 Rock)
When to Celebrate:
Merlinpeen or the Verdukian Holiday of Mouth Pleasures is celebrated on Dec. 10.
Origins:
The holiday appeared in 30 Rock season 4 episode “Secret Santa”. Frank, Lutz, and Toofer invent a fake religion and holiday to avoid participating in Kenneth’s Secret Santa.
Traditions:
Eating meat lover’s pizza, drinking root beer, and having your teeth gently flossed by a blonde virgin.
Decorations:
A bowl of meat cubes with Jimmy Connors sticking out.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because the famous holiday song is about a meat bowl.
Season’s Greetings:
Good Merlinpeen to you!
Robanukah (Futurama)
When to Celebrate:
Robanukah is the holiest two weeks on the Christmas calendar. It’s celebrated one month after Robomadan, which is one month after Robonzaa.
Origins:
Robanukah is a robot holiday that Bender invented as a way to skip work. It was first mentioned in the Futurama season one episode “Fear of a Bot Planet“.
Traditions:
Not working, drinking alcohol, doing the robot dance, playing droidel (robot dreidel), and watching fembots wrestle in petroleum oil.
Decorations:
Paper robot cutouts, industrial barrel jack-o-lanterns, eight beer bottle menorahs.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because any holiday created purely to avoid work is a good holiday.
Season’s Greetings:
Happy Robanukuh!
Chrismukkah (The OC)
When to Celebrate:
Chrismukkah is celebrated sometime around Christmas and Hanukkah.
Origins:
The holiday is featured in The O.C. as a super-holiday that Seth Cohen created to merge the two faiths of his parents.
Traditions:
Eight days of presents, followed by one day of many presents. Also eating Chinese takeout and watching movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and Fiddler on the Roof on TV.
Decorations:
The best of both worlds – Christmas tree, stockings, menorahs, and of course, presents.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because it’s a two-for holiday.
Season’s Greetings:
Happy Chrismukkuh!
Life Day (Star Wars Holiday Special)
When to Celebrate:
Wookiees observe Life Day on Nov 17.
Origins:
Life Day is a Wookiee holiday to celebrate both new life as well as to remember those who have passed on. The holiday featured in the Star Wars Holiday Special, where Chewbacca, along with Han Solo, returns to his home planet of Kashyyyk to see his family and celebrate Life Day.
Traditions:
Chewing roots of the Orga plant, spending time with family, launching fireworks, consuming Wookiee-ookiees and Hoth chocolate, exchanging presents, and singing.
Decorations:
Life Day orbs, decorating wroshyr trees.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because, life. And Star Wars.
Season’s Greetings:
Happy Life Day!
Treat Yo Self Day (Parks and Recreation)
When to Celebrate:
Treat Yo Self Day is celebrated on Oct 13 or any day your heart desires, once a year
Origins:
Created and celebrated by Donna and Tom on Parks and Recreation, Teat Yo Self day first appeared in the episode “Pawnee Rangers” as an annual shopping and spa day where they treat themselves to extravagant things.
Traditions:
Clothes. Fragrances. Massages. Mimosas. Fine leather goods. Basically indulging in all the luxurious things.
Decorations:
Adorn yo self – become a cashmere velvet candy cane, don Batman suits, buy expensive but useless accessories.
Why You Should Celebrate:
Because, mo’ money, mo’ treats.
Season’s Greetings:
It’s the best day of the year!
[This article first appeared on Dec 23, 2015]