Geoff Kayber from New Brunswick, Canada has celebrated Festivus with his in-laws for several years… and this past weekend was no different, as family and friends came together from from three different Canadian provinces to a gathering in Summerside, Prince Edward Island .

“My wife, Tara and her family have officially celebrated a ‘Festivus for the rest of us’ for the last 6 years,” Geoff explained. “Friends and family from all over make the drive to attend, feast, and air their grievances. Festivus usually involves a turkey dinner and yes we did air some grievances. This year’s grievance theme was Wills & Power of Attorney related to Tara’s father, who is a cross between Frank Costanza & Homer Simpson.”

Yes!  In the true spirit of the O’Keefe family, the Maxfields do not wait until a certain date (23 December) to have a Festivus gathering. As we are all aware, Festivus can occur at any time of the year.  To the Maxfields, November is the perfect time to have a moment for “the rest of us”, just before the busy holiday season begins.

Referring to the photo on the right, we commented how the Maxfield family Feats of Strength tradition appears to be “a mock wrestling match over the Festivus pole”. Geoff quickly responded, “You would be correct. He (or she) that is proclaimed the winner wins, well nothing, as this is all about a non-commercialized celebration of a non-traditional, non-holiday. Essentially a chance for family and friends near and far to get together before the hustle ‘n bustle of the over commercialized holiday season.”

Here’s to Geoff and the entire Maxfield family who are able to use Festivus as another reason to get together.  Thanks for letting us share in your celebration of friends and family.

A final chuckle… Geoff added: “My son (the shirtless one in the photo) told his teacher, when asked what he did over the weekend, that he was at his Gram’s and celebrated Festivus.”