Halloween Festivities and a Leap to Christmas

I hope you had an enjoyable Halloween. I sure did, distributing candy to the few trick-or-treaters who came by. For those who skipped my house, I now have a stash of Twizzlers, Reese’s, and Jolly Ranchers to enjoy in solitude over the coming days.

Many athletes also seemed to embrace the holiday spirit, including Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne. They caught public attention with their interesting costume choices.

Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne’s Halloween

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne appeared on the red carpet of the MLB All-Star Game on July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. Their choice of Halloween attire, which they revealed through shared photos and videos, was an amusing twist that had some scratching their heads. Skenes dressed as Buddy the Elf, and Dunne as a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup.

This costume nods to the beloved ‘Elf’ movie, where syrup is a staple for Buddy. Yet, the early nod to Christmas raises eyebrows.

It reminds me of a previous Halloween when I experienced an early start to the Christmas celebration. As I watched the classic 1933 film ‘The Invisible Man’ in my office, my wife surprisingly set up our Christmas tree before the film’s end.

The Early Christmas Spirit

I’m flexible about holiday timings. I may hum a Christmas tune or grab a mini candy cane before Thanksgiving arrives, but I generally embrace Christmas fully only after indulging in Thanksgiving festivities. Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne, however, have already shifted to Christmas mode.

While many still enjoyed Halloween, transforming into quirky characters and taking festive shots, Skenes and Dunne seemed ahead of the holiday curve.

Matthew Reigle, a writer for OutKick, highlighted this lighthearted but early transition to the holiday season.