The 5 best fictional holidays from television
This holiday season, why go through the hassle of decorating a Christmas tree when you can install a simple Festivus pole? And if you’re looking to spice up Hanukkah, you might want to consider incorporating Robanukah traditions like droidels and fembot oil wrestling. The signature, singular creations of Frank Costanza and Bender, respectively, those are just two examples of fictional TV holidays that have since become part of our national pop culture fabric. Here are Yahoo Entertainment’s five favorite holidays that originated on television and can now be celebrated in the comfort of your own home.
Chrismukkah
As Seen On: The O.C. (Fox, 2003-2007)
The Reason for the Season: As the offspring of a Jewish father and Protestant mother, Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) found an inventive way to combine the year-end holidays of those faiths rather than keep them separate. Let the historical record show, of course, that Seth didn’t create Chrismukkah out of whole cloth — the two celebrations have mixed and mingled for years among real-life interfaith families. But he was the one who popularized its catchy straight outta O.C. name.
Identifying Characteristics: A Christmas tree and menorah sharing the same space; eating Chinese takeout while watching classic Christmas movies.
Favorite Pastime: The explosion of presents that accompanies eight days of gift-giving, followed by one day of giving many gifts. It’s hard on the wallet, but great for Chrismukkah cheer.
Refrigerator Day
As Seen On: Dinosaurs (ABC, 1991-1994)
The Reason for the Season: Dinosaur culture can be traced to one common ancestor: the refrigerator. No longer forced to forage for food, these giant lizards could turn their attention to the business of raising families and working day jobs. No wonder they took a moment out of their very busy year to honor the cold boxes that made their lives possible. (At least until apocalyptic global cooling set in.)
Identifying Characteristics: As feast follows famine, so too does two days of fasting give way to a period of gorging, along with caroling, seasonal decorations, and discount shopping at big-box outlets like Karve Mart.
Favorite Pastime: The Refrigerator Day Pageant, a staged recreation of the first dinosaurs to discover the magic art of keeping food cold.
Robanukah
As Seen On: Futurama (Fox, 1999-2003; Comedy Central, 2008-2013)
The Reason for the Season: Always eager to avoid anything resembling work, slacker bending unit Bender comes up with a spiritual excuse to take a two-week break. It’s like Labor Day for ’bots who detest the very idea of labor.
Identifying Characteristics: Copious alcohol consumption, lighting eight beer bottles in place of eight candles and, of course, breakdancing.
Favorite Pastime: A two-week vacation sounds like the perfect gift to us.
Festivus
As Seen On: Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998)
The Reason for the Season: Rather than force yourself to fake Christmas cheer with all its commercial tinsel, Festivus is a back-to-basics holiday that keeps things simple, stupid. Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe celebrated Festivus in his own household and turned it into a Costanza family staple.
Identifying Characteristics: A Festivus dinner followed by the traditional “Airing of Grievances,” while sitting around the decoration-free aluminum Festivus pole.
Favorite Pastime: Besides providing some much-needed post-feast exercise, the “Feats of Strength” are the best possible alternative to dishwashing duty.
Life Day
As Seen On: The Star Wars Holiday Special (CBS, 1978)
The Reason for the Season: Every three years, Wookiees from across the far, far away galaxy return to their foresty homeworld, Kashyyyk, to gather around the Tree of Life and, in general, luxuriate in furry family togetherness.
Identifying Characteristics: The sharing of memories of Wookiees past, punctuated by fireworks and cups of Hoth chocolate accompanied by Wookiee-ookiees.
Favorite Pastime: The requisite rendition of the classic Life Day carol “A Day to Celebrate,” sung most memorably by Princess Leia Organa.
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