Discussion 1 to A Miscellany 62
The Festivus Pole
from JT
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In the absence of the outpouring of responses I expected to Lorne's query, I decided to conduct some superficial research to get him started. However, this should not inhibit the free flow of advice from others.
First of all, there is a new book out by Allen Salkin with an introduction by Jerry Stiller (Frank Costanza):
Festivus : The Holiday for the Rest of Us
That should cover most of the questions one would have.
As an alternative reference there is Wikipedia's discussion[1] of Festivus which addresses the issue of the pole as follows:
The Festivus Pole: The Costanzas' tradition begins with a bare aluminum pole, which Frank praises for its "very high strength-to-weight ratio." During Festivus, an unadorned aluminum pole is displayed, apparently in opposition to the commercialization of highly decorated Christmas trees, and because the holiday's creator, Frank Costanza, "find[s] tinsel distracting." Local customs vary and you may be able to decorate your pole with non-threatening plain decorations, or ordinary green garland.
Footnote:
- This is from Wikipedia, November 2005. As of June 2010, the Wikipedia entry has been extensively revised and extended.