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Festivus The Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us
A humorous guide to the wackiest holiday introduced to modern society. Festivus! The Book is an up-to-date complete reference for anyone who celebrates Festivus or plans to join the fun. Learn all about the traditions of a Seinfeld-based Festivus and witness the nuances of the original Festivus, as celebrated by the O'Keefe family. See first-hand how Festivus is celebrated by others and receive plenty of advice and tips to aid in your own Festivus party plans.
What foods should be prepared? Is meatloaf preferred? Should you organize a wrestling match with your father? Are you too feeble for wrestling? What about arm wrestling or even thumb wrestling? How should you Air your Grievances? Maybe this is an opportunity to complain about Grandma's clicking dentures... You'll find great answers to all these questions, and more.
Endorsed by Seinfeld Writer Dan O'Keefe
"This book completes Festivus' transformation from borderline child endangerment to beloved pop-cultural footnote of the late 1990s." Seinfeld Writer Dan O'Keefe
Reviews
The author leaves nothing out, adds a full dose of humor, and leaves you with a complete understanding of Festivus. Good reference and a good read! Goodreads.com
The book has everything! Did we tell you that an aluminum pole is featured on the right side of every page spread? Of course it's plain and unadorned, just as Festivus aficionados prefer. FestivusWeb.com
What foods should be prepared? Is meatloaf preferred? Should you organize a wrestling match with your father? Are you too feeble for wrestling? What about arm wrestling or even thumb wrestling? How should you Air your Grievances? Maybe this is an opportunity to complain about Grandma's clicking dentures... You'll find great answers to all these questions, and more.
Endorsed by Seinfeld Writer Dan O'Keefe
"This book completes Festivus' transformation from borderline child endangerment to beloved pop-cultural footnote of the late 1990s." Seinfeld Writer Dan O'Keefe
Reviews
The author leaves nothing out, adds a full dose of humor, and leaves you with a complete understanding of Festivus. Good reference and a good read! Goodreads.com
The book has everything! Did we tell you that an aluminum pole is featured on the right side of every page spread? Of course it's plain and unadorned, just as Festivus aficionados prefer. FestivusWeb.com
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2015
4 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Mark Nelson
4 books1 follower::: Canadian Navy Biography :::
Mark Nelson developed a love for the language and lifestyle of the Canadian Navy over his 26-year naval career. First putting on the uniform on Canada Day (July 1st) 1980, at HMCS CHIPPAWA, Winnipeg, he trained as a Radar Plotter and later as a Naval Combat Information Operator. After 26-years of service, serving in almost every platform the Navy owned, plus different stints in fleet schools on both coasts, he finally landed back in Winnipeg as Coxswain of HMCS Chippawa. Today, he he can be found at Red River College, working as the Library Systems and Services Coordinator.
::: Festivus Biography :::
Mark Nelson’s Festivus knowledge has been quoted in national media such as the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. You may have heard him speak about Festivus on your local radio station such as Kenosha KLIP, WCBS National Radio and KSRO Sonoma. He has a great radio voice, like a cross between James Earl Jones… and Mr. Furley from Three’s Company. Webmaster of FestivusWeb.com in his off-hours, he spends his days working in a library. You know that little stamp? The one that says "Library"? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to him. One whole helluva lot. He would probably go on strike for a bagel, and often contemplates how cold cuts should be sliced thin so the flavor has nowhere to hide. His ultimate idea of comfort is to be ensconced in velvet and eating a block of cheese the size of a car battery.
Mark Nelson developed a love for the language and lifestyle of the Canadian Navy over his 26-year naval career. First putting on the uniform on Canada Day (July 1st) 1980, at HMCS CHIPPAWA, Winnipeg, he trained as a Radar Plotter and later as a Naval Combat Information Operator. After 26-years of service, serving in almost every platform the Navy owned, plus different stints in fleet schools on both coasts, he finally landed back in Winnipeg as Coxswain of HMCS Chippawa. Today, he he can be found at Red River College, working as the Library Systems and Services Coordinator.
::: Festivus Biography :::
Mark Nelson’s Festivus knowledge has been quoted in national media such as the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. You may have heard him speak about Festivus on your local radio station such as Kenosha KLIP, WCBS National Radio and KSRO Sonoma. He has a great radio voice, like a cross between James Earl Jones… and Mr. Furley from Three’s Company. Webmaster of FestivusWeb.com in his off-hours, he spends his days working in a library. You know that little stamp? The one that says "Library"? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to him. One whole helluva lot. He would probably go on strike for a bagel, and often contemplates how cold cuts should be sliced thin so the flavor has nowhere to hide. His ultimate idea of comfort is to be ensconced in velvet and eating a block of cheese the size of a car battery.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2015
I previously read the Allan Salkin Festivus book, and then I received this book and read it a week later. As opposed to the previous book, this book was clearly written by someone who knows a little bit about Festivus. The book is brimming with research, facts and examples, which is what I was looking for. As a Seinfeld fan I loved the section on Seinfeld foods, and the chapter where they explain in detail how the episode was conceived and written. Also, the O'Keefe family clock and bag? What a hoot! The kids would ask the significance of the clock and bag and the father would say, "That's not for you to know!" The author leaves nothing out, adds a full dose of humor, and leaves you with a complete understanding of Festivus. Good reference and a good read!
January 2, 2016
The history of a (fictional Seinfeldian) holiday in 200 pages ... sign me up!
Fun look at the origin of Festivus, and the many different ways Festivus is celebrated around the world (and the author found some doozies). Lots of good Seinfeld anecdotes and trivia too. Sometimes tends to repeat itself, but I'm guessing that's strategic because the author may be assuming people won't read it cover to cover. I enjoyed!
Fun look at the origin of Festivus, and the many different ways Festivus is celebrated around the world (and the author found some doozies). Lots of good Seinfeld anecdotes and trivia too. Sometimes tends to repeat itself, but I'm guessing that's strategic because the author may be assuming people won't read it cover to cover. I enjoyed!
December 29, 2016
This book is a quick guide to all things Festivus. The first third of the book wore on a bit, and seemed as though the writer had gone to the trouble of simply writing an homage to the Festivus episode of "Seinfeld," but the next two-thirds of the book are dedicated to the many ways that fans around the world celebrate the holiday, and the fascinating history of the holiday from "Seinfeld" writer Daniel O'Keefe's off-beat family tradition.
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November 23, 2015I love Festivus so much that I'm even in the book. Page 123 to be exact! Festivus for the rest of us!!!
December 20, 2015
The most complete Festivus book on the market. If you're a fan, you need this. I tip my hat to the author.
December 13, 2021
No book on Earth could be more appropriate to its intent. It's mad, it's inconsistent, it's probably mostly made up on the spot, but is that not the point of Festivus?
This is a marvellous companion to the holiday containing everything and nothing and its all beautiful.
Now - stop sobbing and fight your father!
This is a marvellous companion to the holiday containing everything and nothing and its all beautiful.
Now - stop sobbing and fight your father!
December 24, 2018
Learned a few things.
Enjoyable and learned a few great things about the Festivus for the rest of us holiday! Thanks and looking forward to many more!
Enjoyable and learned a few great things about the Festivus for the rest of us holiday! Thanks and looking forward to many more!
January 9, 2022
Very entertaining read that was sent my way for Festivus.
December 24, 2018
Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us is a humorous guide to one of the wackiest holiday introduced to modern society written by Mark R. Nelson. It is a guide to this particular factious holiday that became reality when it was popularized on the sitcom Seinfeld. Today (23 December) is Festivus so I thought it would be apropos to read this book today.
Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season. Originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe, Festivus entered popular culture after it was made the focus of the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike", which O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, co-wrote.
Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us describes the customary practices for Festivus which includes the Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, the aluminium pole, Festivus dinner, and Festivus miracles. It also provides plenty of advice and tips on throwing one's own Festivus party. Also included, is how the O'Keefe family – the originator and creator of the holiday celebrated it, which was rather interesting to read.
Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us is written somewhat well. It introduced the unconventional holiday rather well and how one could celebrate it. The light and humorous atmosphere made this guidebook a rather quick and easy read.
All in all, Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us takes an interesting and humorous look into a wonderfully wacky and odd holiday.
Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season. Originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe, Festivus entered popular culture after it was made the focus of the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike", which O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, co-wrote.
Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us describes the customary practices for Festivus which includes the Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, the aluminium pole, Festivus dinner, and Festivus miracles. It also provides plenty of advice and tips on throwing one's own Festivus party. Also included, is how the O'Keefe family – the originator and creator of the holiday celebrated it, which was rather interesting to read.
Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us is written somewhat well. It introduced the unconventional holiday rather well and how one could celebrate it. The light and humorous atmosphere made this guidebook a rather quick and easy read.
All in all, Festivus! the Book: A Complete Guide to the Holiday for the Rest of Us takes an interesting and humorous look into a wonderfully wacky and odd holiday.
October 9, 2017
This was fun. I'm inspired to gather my family for some grievance-airing and feats of strength this December.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews