As we prepare for Christmas and Hanukkah this week, let’s not forget December 23rd: Festivus.

Think of Festivus as your invitation to be a little grumpy during the holidays.

The made-up holiday was first introduced to Americans in a 1997 episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld,” in which we learn that George Costanza’s father celebrates Festivus as an alternative to the traditional December celebrations, which he considers too religious or commercial.

Traditional Festivus elements include the display of a plain aluminum pole (instead of a Christmas tree), “feats of strength” (which in the TV show primarily include wrestling), and “voicing grievances.”

“I have a lot of problems with you,” shouts Frank Costanza during a Festivus dinner.

This year, we felt it could be cathartic to give Portlanders a chance to air some of their own grievances. We attended Tuba Christmas on Saturday at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland with a microphone and an aluminum pole.

From traffic to leaf blowers to the predicted total lack of snow, here are the complaints we’ve heard:

—Samantha Swindler reports features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and This is Oregon. Reach them at [email protected].

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