Growing up, we celebrated Purim at Jewish day school or synagogue by dressing up and making hamantaschen and shaking the grogger when Haman’s name was said during the reading of the Megillah. But what about celebrating as an adult? Why should the fun stop? It doesn’t have to! In fact, it becomes a lot easier to customize your Purim celebrations to your preferences when you’re all grown up. So, here are four fun ideas for making this Purim a memorable one.

1. Costume Party

This is the most obvious and the most fun way to have a good time for Purim! Dressing up commemorates Queen Esther having to hide her Jewish identity when she married King Ahashverosh. We are lucky that we no longer have to hide our religion, but having an opportunity to dress up is not one to pass up! You can typically find an adult costume party at your local synagogue or through the Jewish Federation in your area.

2. Getting Drunk And Eating

This could go hand-in-hand with #1, but if you can’t find a costume party you want to attend, then at the very least celebrate the Jews repeated survival from extinction by toasting to our people. After Queen Esther foiled Haman’s (boooo!) plans to wipe out the Jews, her uncle Mordechai was made Prime Minister and instructed the Jews to celebrate by imbibing and feasting. So have at it – after all, the Torah told you to!

3. Buy New Shoes

You read that right – this holiday gives you permission to go shopping. After all, what stomps out evil better than a great pair of new shoes? Or, if shoes aren’t your thing, then buy yourself those Bose speakers or Beats by Dre headphones to drown out the name of Haman. See, Purim is fun AND functional!

4. Community Service

Finally, balance out all that partying, drinking, eating and shopping with some time giving back to those less fortunate. Your synagogue will likely have a program for baking hamantaschen and assembling mishloach manot (gift baskets) full of food to give to the elderly and poor. If you can’t find a time that works for you, then volunteer at a soup kitchen or give tzedakah to your temple. Make it fun by encouraging your friends (and possibly a new dating prospect?) to join you. It’s a great way to celebrate and you will walk away feeling good that you did a mitzvah.

As you can see, Purim is not just the “Jewish Halloween” – it is so much more! It is yet another example of the Jewish people surviving a plot to exterminate us, and a chance to celebrate our strength as a community. As our world is in a fragile state yet again, this is a good time remember to speak up like Queen Esther, whether it is for the Jewish people or another group of people who are being targeted. How will you celebrate Purim this year?

You may also be interested in Men Of JDate Share Their Purim Hamantaschen Recipes