Being somewhat of an expert on Festivus, allow me to clear up some of the misconceptions about this most solemn of holidays. First, it is not an alternative name for Christmas. It is a holiday that stands on its own merits. Here are the three fundamental elements of Festivus:
1. The symbol for Festivus is a steel pole which represents absolutely nothing, leaving this symbol open to hours of endless debate and, hopefully, fighting..
2. There must be a challenge and a display of strength, hopefully resulting in a a nephew pulverizing an uncle, or something like that. However, arm wrestling a acceptable.
3. This is the day to come clean...not about all of the sins you have committed over the past year, but about how you really feel about other family members, which generally results in #2.
Festivus isn't for everybody. Festivus is for the Rest of US.