Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne’s Halloween costume will enrage anyone tired of rushing through holidays
Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne dressed as Buddy the Elf and Mrs Butterworth’s syrup for Halloween, prompting a light-hearted complaint that their costume jumps ahead to Christmas. The article argues that Halloween deserves to be enjoyed before attention shifts to the next holiday.
The writer notes that the costume references syrup-loving Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, in the film “Elf”. They say they are relaxed about Christmas songs before Thanksgiving but prefer to wait until after the meal to fully embrace the season, recalling a past Halloween when their wife put up a Christmas tree.
In short
- Skenes and Dunne chose an “Elf”-themed Halloween costume.
- The outfit put Christmas in focus before Thanksgiving.
- The writer says holidays should be savoured in turn.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Letting Christmas into Halloween can feel like skipping over a season people are still enjoying. Giving each holiday its own time lets Halloween keep its distinctive atmosphere and avoids turning the calendar into a rush towards the next celebration.
The case against
For some, seasonal fun is not a scarce resource that must be rationed by date. A playful costume or early Christmas song can bring people joy without diminishing Halloween, and personal traditions need not follow a shared timetable.
Explained simply
Paul Skenes is a professional baseball pitcher, and Livvy Dunne is a former gymnast and social media personality. The couple’s costume refers to the 2003 Christmas comedy Elf, in which Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human raised by elves who loves syrup.
The story reflects a familiar seasonal debate: some people enjoy Christmas early, while others prefer to give each holiday its own time. In the United States, Thanksgiving falls in November, between Halloween and Christmas, and is often treated as the point when Christmas celebrations begin in earnest.