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Amherst police helped calm argument over Festivus early Saturday morning, the holiday for the 'rest of us' that was featured on the sitcom Sienfeld.

( Republican file photo Rizzuto)

AMHERST - When your 'airing of grievances' for Festivus attracts the attention of the police, you're doing Festivus wrong.

Amherst police report that they were called to the area of Antonio's Pizza on North Pleasant Street early Saturday to settle a verbal dispute. Several patrons, who earlier had been to area bars, began discussing Christmas and Festivus.

When the discussion evolved into the airing of grievances, things became too heated and police had to step in to cool things down, according to the Amherst police log.

Festivus was inspired by a Dec. 18, 1997 episode of "Seinfeld." The holiday, invented by the father of one of the characters, touted Festivus as an alternative to Christmas. Since the original airing of that episode, some people have taken the TV plotline and run with it, observing Festivus each Dec. 23.

The slogan of Festivus is "A Festivus for the rest of us!" and part of the tradition is the Airing of Grievances, which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you, according to the Festivus website.

Police reported that the parties involved in the disturbance "were sent on their way with some advice on how to handle the season of Festivus."

Peace was restored.