The Festivus Pole
The Festivus tradition is centered around the display of an unadorned aluminum pole. The Festivus Pole is the ultimate symbol of an anti-christmas holiday, it is plain looking, unencumbered by branches and decorations, and it is relatively inexpensive.
In Seinfeld, Frank Costanza chose the aluminum pole as an opposition to the commercialization of highly decorated Christmas trees, and also because he "finds tinsel distracting."
Kramer: Is there a tree?
Frank Costanza: No. Instead, there's a pole. Requires no decoration. I find tinsel distracting.
In addition, Frank Constanza praises the aluminum pole for its "very high strength-to-weight ratio."
Frank Costanza: It's made from aluminum. Very high strength-to-weight ratio.
Kruger: I find your belief system fascinating.
After the celebration is over, it is not uncommon for a pole to be placed in an out-of-the-way place, such as a crawl space.
The Festivus Pole was a creation of Seinfeld script writers. There was no unadorned aluminum pole in the original Festivus as described by writer Dan O'Keefe. However, the Festivus pole is a fun addition to the Festivus story!
How to get a Festivus Pole?
Of 
course you can buy Festivus Pole. There are places on the web where you can order one. But, do you think that Frank Costanza ordered his Festivus pole from a web site? Festivus poles don't come from a commercial entity. They come from the crawlspace, not from the mailman!
Advice: Go to your crawlspace (or attic, basement or closet) and find out what you do have. Do you have an old lamp pole, curtain rod, a wooden plank, a cardboard tube? Anything that is non-commercial and non-flashy. That is the true spirit of Festivus.
If you are bound and determined to have an actual aluminum pole then go to the junkyard and find one. If that fails then go to the hardware store and buy a cheap piece of aluminum tube. Make sure that you are rude to the salesperson and try to barter the price down, because that's what Frank Costanza would have done. :)
How to decorate a Festivus Pole
Do not decorate your Festivus Pole.
Festivus Pole Care
Here are some tips for the care of your Festivus Pole:
- You don't really need to do anything to the pole. Just bring it out at Festivus time, and display it. When Festivus is over put the pole away in a safe place like a crawlspace, attic, garage or shed.
- Don't polish it, even if it looks dingy. It is suppose to look that way.
- If the dog pees on it, then you should probably wash it, but don't polish it.
- If the pole is shiny don't worry about reducing it's luster and making it look plainer. That's too much work.
Festivus Pole Safety Tips
Here are some safety tips for the use of your Festivus Pole:
- Don't let any of the guests climb the Festivus Pole.
- A Festivus pole is not a "Dancing" pole.
- During the Feats of Strength, don't let anyone joust with the Festivus Pole.
- If the pole is outdoors in below zero temperatures, don't let anyone lick the pole. It's tempting, but don't let them do it!