Laugh, Love, Laugh

Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.

By Tracy Scruder

“A smile stretched widely across my face with the corners of my mouth dug deeply into my cheeks, when I read the daily prompt today. I relish the opportunity to invent a holiday that everyone should celebrate and explain why?”

I’m laughing right now because this prompt brings to mind the Jerry Seinfeld episode where George’s dad created the a holiday called Fedtvus 😂. The episode was called “The Strike”. “The Strike”, was the 10th episode of Season 9 of Seinfeld, where Frank Costanza, who played George’s father, introduces the holiday Festivus.

Festivus is celebrated on December 23rd and involves several unique traditions –

• The Festivus Pole: An unadorned aluminum pole serves as an alternative to the Christmas tree.
• The Airing of Grievances: During dinner, each person shares their grievances with others, highlighting ways they’ve been disappointed throughout the year.
• Feats of Strength: The celebration concludes with a wrestling match between the head of the household and another member, typically George, to determine if the holiday can continue.

Side note : The episode’s writer, Dan O’Keefe, based Festivus on a similar holiday his father created in the 1960s. While some aspects, like the aluminum pole, were invented for the show, others, such as the airing of grievances, were part of the real-life celebration.

I will create a holiday called Laughalot Weekend

Laugh-a-lot weekend is a 3-Day Celebration of Laughter and Togetherness. This holiday weekend will take place on the first Friday in February every year.

Day 1: Friday – “Laughter Day”

1. Outdoor Games:
   • Scavenger hunt with funny challenges
   • Water balloon toss with silly prizes
   • Lawn games like giant Jenga, cornhole, or a giant slip ‘n slide
2. Board Games:
   • Cards Against Humans or Cards Against Humanity
   • Jenga, Pictionary, or other party games
3. Round Table Discussions:
   • “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?”
   • “If you could be any cartoon character for a day, who would you choose and why?”

Day 2: Saturday – “Sitcom Saturday”

1. Sitcom Binge:
   • Choose a favorite show (e.g., Friends, The Office, Seinfeld) and have a marathon viewing session
   • Provide funny snacks and drinks
2. Karaoke Contest:
   • Sing your favorite comedy songs or silly lyrics
   • Offer prizes for best performance, worst performance, and most entertaining
3. Props:
   • Funny hats, wigs, and accessories
   • Inflatable guitars or microphone

Day 3: Sunday – “Sunny Sunday”

1. Outdoor Activities:
   • Host a comedy picnic or BBQ
   • Play outdoor games like capture the flag, tag, or frisbee golf
2. Gratitude Circle:
   • Gather around the table and share things you’re grateful for
   • Discuss how laughter has positively impacted your life
3. Props:
   • Funny sunglasses or oversized novelty glasses
   • Smiley face balloons or props

Additional Props:

• Joke books or comedy scripts
• Funny masks or costumes
• Silly string or whoopee cushions
• Laughter-inducing games like “Would You Rather” or “Two Truths and a Lie.”

Why Celebrate Laughalot Weekend?

Laughter is indeed the best medicine! Laughalot Weekend is a chance to:

• Relax and unwind: Take a break from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy quality time with loved ones.
• Create memories: Share funny moments and make new memories with family and friends.
• Boost mood: Laughter releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and overall well-being.
• Foster connection: Laughing together brings people closer and strengthens relationships.
• Spread love and positivity: Share laughter and joy with others, and watch it spread like wildfire!

So, mark your calendars for Laughalot Weekend and get ready to LOL, giggle, and guffaw your way through a fun-filled three-day celebration!

Let’s make Laughalot weekend a national holiday! It’s power will lighten the load on a heavily burdened society. Deep belly laughter is strongly encouraged 😂!