Festivus and 5 Other Holidays Invented By Sitcoms
Only 21 more shopping days until Festivus, for those who celebrate — and people really do.
A change.org petition in 2022 lobbied to designate Frank Costanza’s Festivus as an official holiday, and frankly, it’s more celebrated than other pseudo occasions like National Bagel Day or Hug a Musician Day. More than 15,000 people signed the plea for Festivus, a celebration based on real-life rituals from the family of Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe.
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The Seinfeld crew likely had no idea that people would continue to air grievances and perform feats of strength each year, but maybe they should have seen it coming. After all, Festivus isn’t the only created-for-TV-comedy holiday that’s caught on in the real world. Here are five more holidays that began life as sitcom plots…
Galentine’s Day
Who needs a fella? Not the ladies of Pawnee. “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home,” proclaimed Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope. “And we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas.”
You can tell the day caught on, considering Michelle Obama celebrates. In 2020, she posted this message on her social media accounts: “This #GalentinesDay, I want to shout out my girlfriends who help me stay sane and grounded through all of life’s ups and downs... Whether we’re catching up over the phone, venting over a cup of coffee or laughing it out during an ‘80s-themed workout, I know I can lean on these ladies — and that’s made all the difference.”
Slapsgiving
The most painful and obnoxious of the fictional holidays, the How I Met Your Mother tradition can be celebrated on just about any day you owe someone a smack to the face. While it might be the least festive day on the list, it’s the only one that has its own holiday song.
Leap Day
Every four years — at least according to 30 Rock — Leap Day William emerges to trade children’s tears for candy.
The February 29th occasion is celebrated with rhubarb slices, new experiences and wearing yellow and blue. It’s also imperative to remember that nothing matters on Leap Day because real life is for March.
Best Friends Day
Every day in Bikini Bottom is a celebration of friends, but SpongeBob SquarePants formalized the holiday with Best Friends Day (February 19th if you want to mark your calendar). The concept of the day is simple — give your best pal a gift you think they’ll really enjoy, like a robot servant or a massive wad of gum.
Treat Yo’ Self Day
Parks and Rec gets extra credit for establishing at least two holidays. In addition to Galentine’s Day, you’re guaranteed to get what you want on Treat Yo’ Self Day, an occasion in which you indulge your most decadent urges. It’s a day for physical comforts — massages, scented oils and mimosas are all on the menu. The whole point of “the best day of the year”: Treat yo’ self.
