The Costume Party Is An Adult Activity

Last updated on: October 31, 2016 at 7:31 am by John Mark N. Reynolds

The Costume Party Is An Adult Activity 2016-10-30T16:23:53-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Edwardians knew costume parties could be fun for adults!

Some events are not for adults. Trick-or-Treating door to door is one of those things. Don’t do it. It’s good to have things that kids do that grownups do not. Somehow (maybe in the 1950’s?) we decided that many enjoyable activities were just for kids and adults should not. By the time the kill joys were done, “adult entertainment” was vice.

We watched while the kids had fun or we would slink off to do things nobody should do and call it “adult.”

Walt Disney saw his daughters on a carousel while the parents watched and said: “No!” Walt Disney was right.

Growing up should not take away innocent amusements amongst adults and leave only smoking, drinking, and overpriced coffee products as the only adult pleasures. We spend boatloads of money on graduations for kids, birthday parties for kids, Christmas for kids and then wonder why people are hesitant to grow up.

Here is a basic rule for a wholesome life: adult parties should be more enjoyable and more fun than child parties. I know when I was growing up this was true. I would look down the stairs with envy to see the fun and enjoyed hearing the laughter. The Dick Van Dyke Show pictured suburban parties as full of music, dancing, costumes, and witty conversation. They did not get together just to watch television and grunt about the kids while the kids were outside being entertained by bounce houses, non-scary clowns, and magicians. The kid, Richie, went to bed (“Oh Mother!”) while they had fun.

I am not saying that kids should not have fun: to the contrary, but adults work harder and so the play time (to the extent there is time for play!) should be adult centered. Kids can grow up, get jobs, and make their own fun

An example of the death of adult entertainment is the costume party. I see two things in my social media feed. Adults who think that Halloween is a time to act like moral degenerates for fun and adults who (rightly) attack the sin, but then go further and sniff that grownups should not do fun things.

Right.

The problem is that we took the costume party, an elegant and enjoyable tradition, and turned it into either a low class orgy or a thing only a fit for children. Once, a priest I know was getting cabled installed. As a single guy, the installer said: “I can get you porn channels.” My pastor said “no” and pointed out he was a pastor. The cable guy then suggested the Disney Channel. My pastor’s frustration was that those were the only two choices

During the holiday time, let’s restore the tradition that parties are (mostly) for grownups, the kids go to bed. Let’s have get some class and have some fun. Jollification is a foretaste of the party that is Paradise.

Culture

Previous Post

October 30, 2016

Know the Name, Love the Person

Next Post

November 1, 2016 Help Us Obi-Wan Kenobi: You're our only hope.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Apologetics Art Culture Education On Books On Education Philosophy Politics Pop Culture Spiritual Reflections Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 July 2025 June 2025 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 June 2023 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Christ" mean in Greek?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Chosen One Lord of Lords Savior Anointed One

Books by This Author John Mark Reynolds

See All Titles »