The time for falling leaves and hot apple cider is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or creating your own Halloween porchscape, there’s something about fall that makes it a favorite for us all.
To help you celebrate, or come up with a few ways to enjoy the season at home, here’s my own bucket list of fall activities that’ll leave you eager to experience all this season has to offer:
1. Attend a football game
Nothing says the beginning of fall like the return of football season. While our teams may be different, we’re all coming together for the same reason — to witness America’s most beloved sport. So be sure to get your game day outfit ready and perfect your tailgate recipe for this classic fall event. Not into the NFL? High school or college games are just as fun. It’s all about getting into that team spirit. At our home, we’re all things Southern Miss and Saints football!
2. Decorate for fall
What better way to get in the spirit of the season than surrounding ourselves with reminders of it? Craft your own fall wreath or go on a mission to find your next fall porchscape. Maybe meet some new friends along the way? Like our obsession with pumpkin spice lattes (no judging, please), the choices are as endless. Get creative!
3. Go to a pumpkin patch
Another traditional fall activity, pumpkin patches are the reason to live for October and the ultimate reminder of our childhoods. Take yourself (and family if they care to tag along) to the pumpkin patch, pick the pumpkin you want to carve and top it off with a hayride!
4. Cultivate a fall reading list
With this week being National Banned Book week, what better time to cultivate yourself a fall-inspired reading list? Think of cozies with teeth or perhaps a historical narrative. The possibilities are endless!
5. Attend a cemetery tour
Life is always stranger than fiction. So enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season by taking in a historic cemetery tour. Each year our family takes a tour of the local Rose Hill Cemetary and stops by to see the grave of the great Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell!
6. Get crafty
There is something to be said for crocheting, knitting, quilting, or even gluing together home decor decorative or a piece of wearable art. Looking for some crafting inspiration? Try your hand at making a crochet candy corn cozy to help keep your hands safe while sipping on hot pumpkin spice lattes!
7. Make an apple dessert
The only thing better than dessert is a dessert that’s home-made. And while we are in National Apple Month what better time to get baking? We love to make apple pie, apple dumplings, and lighter breakfast fare, such as Walnut Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding. Whatever you make, your house is about to smell delicious. Save us a slice!
8. Create a fall capsule wardrobe
Now is the time to be enjoying sweater weather by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe full of your favorite scarves, booties, flannel tops, knee-high boots, and jeans. Because when it comes to dressing comfortably, fall is on our side. So pick pieces that are as cute as they are cozy and then consider donating the rest to charity. As nothing looks as good on a gal as a charitable heart!
9. Plant Mums
There’s nothing like the beautiful hues of mums to change your mood and your home! From deep umber to burnt orange and fiery burgundy, there are mums for every color palette and porchscape. Try your hand at adding this affordable perennial to your front beds at home!
10. Pass out candy to trick-or-treaters
Little kid costumes are the absolute best — and complimenting them makes them oh-so-proud. Be sure to grab some really good candy and a few varieties without nuts for those with allergies. Then, turn on a scary movie and wit for the little monsters and ghouls to arrive!
11. Take in a sunset
While all sunsets are spectacular under southern skies, there are sights to see around the equinox in all parts of this great country. So make a point to walk around your downtowns areas. Embrace the small town charm, treat yourself to hot apple cider, and take in natures best evening show.
12. Attend a Veterans Day Parade
Here’s nothing like the brisk fall air on your cheeks as you pay tribute to America’s bravest each November. Check to see if your town will be hosting a Veterans Day parade and inquire about ways you may be able to volunteer and give back to those who ensure we can all enjoy peaceful fall days at home. Veterans should also check to see what free dinners are available to you to honor your service to this great country.
13. Host a Halloween movie night
Watching a scary movie with all the lights off is so uniquely fall. And our family loves watching Freeform’s 13 Nights of Halloween! We especially love watching Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas. Classics!
14. Cook a crockpot classic
Ah, fall crockpot (and Instapots!) classics! Try your hand at making a crockpot fall classic like tailgating chili, hearty vegetable soup, butternut squash soup, or a new classic, like Tikka Masala with a side of pumpkin hummus. Perfect for cool, crisp days at home!
15. Create a thankfulness station
Each fall at home, my families like to collect leaves from nature walks and our own backyard and each day of fall, from September 21-December 22, we each write on our leaves what we are most grateful for. We attach the leaves to a wreath form, collection of tree branches, or wicker cornucopias with mini clothespins. At the end of the season, we re-read each leaf and reflect on how blessed we are as a family!
So, friends, those are things I am most looking forward to this next season ahead. Now I want to ask, what’s on your fall bucket list this year? Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know what your most looking forward to experiencing this fall!
