Fall is my favorite time of the year. The crisp cold mornings, sweaters, cute aesthetic photos of coffee art, and the colored leaves. Well for most of the states, but us Arizonans like to pretend. Here are some of the musts you have to do between September and November, regardless of where you reside.
1. The Pumpkin Patch
It's basically a tradition to go to the pumpkin patch and drink some hot apple cider, pet the animals in the petting zoo, play in the hay maze or corn mazes and go on a tractor ride. All the best childhood memories were experienced there (well not all, but you get the gist). It's the perfect place to take cute pictures with your friends and host a pumpkin carving party later.
2. Pumpkin Spice
Now, I am not just talking lattes. I'm saying everything pumpkin spice.
Pumpkin Spice Oreos
Pumpkin Spice lattes
Pumpkin Spice chais (Add almond milk and it will be a cup of fall)
Pumpkin Spice oatmeal
Pumpkin Spice cereal
Pumpkin Spice cookies
Pumpkin Spice toilet paper (Yes, it really is a thing)
Pumpkin spice bakery items, desserts, smells, scents, candles, soap, everything. It's not fall time without a little bit of pumpkin and spice (and everything nice).
3. Sweater Weather
Pull out the pullovers, cardigans, and anything knitted because now is the time to wear it and attain that perfect Pinterest look. They go great with tall boots, combat boots, leggings, and a white tank. Pair that with any of the items mentioned in number 2 and you'll be good to go.
3. Halloween Movies
Now I am not talking about those stupid new Disney Channel movies; those are full of cheesy dance scenes and singing "positive influential" songs. I am thinking of the classics like "Halloweentown," "Twitches," "Hocus Pocus," "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Exorcist," and the lesser-known ones like "Warm Bodies," "Let Me In," "When a Stranger Calls," and "Scream" (The TV Series). Those are the ones that one should binge-watch on a late night while downing candy.
4. Huge Blankets
Fall is about the crisp, cold, air, and snuggling inside with a good book or a movie. It's the time where you pull out all those heavy and snuggly blankets and take advantage of the cold weather. Whether it's knitted, fuzzy, or cotton, nothing beats warming up with cider in front of the TV surrounded by blankets.
5. Fall Crafts
From decorating the living room with fall-themed mason jars to putting up Halloween lights, it's unlimited on what you can do. Cheap consignment stores have some really cute fall signs and decorations for half the cost. In the dollar section at Target, there are even a few cute things to spice up your room for fall. Pinterest always has great ideas to try to mimic as well!
6. Fall Baking
Pull out that pumpkin spice and don't ever put it back because you'll be using it all day for fall goodies. Using the pumpkin seeds from a pumpkin you can cook them in the oven for some tasty snacks. Or you can bake pumpkin bread with a cream cheese drizzle; go on Pinterest and see the endless world of fall recipes right at your fingertips. Your friends will thank you, as will your family, and you'll probably gain ten pounds from it because your creations are so good.
7. Flannels
We all know you have them. I think every girl has at least five in their closet. If you don't then you better go out and get one (or ten) because it's a must for fall. They pair nicely with leggings and combat boots, or even sweats. Flannels are just that universal way of saying "It's fall."
8. Bonfires
Sitting around a campfire while someone plays their guitar is probably one of the most relaxing things there is. Nothing compares to being surrounded by your closest friends while singing silly songs together. A must-have fall tradition.
9. Jump in a pile of leaves
If you live somewhere the leaves don't fall in September (cough, cough, Arizona) then you may have trouble doing this. Anywhere else, well you have it made. Ever since I was little, I loved to rake the leaves and make a huge pile before destroying it and jumping right on it. I lived surrounded by trees so I had a whole forest to myself. Whether you're 10 or 20, this tradition has no age limit.
10. Football
Can't forget everyone's favorite sport in America. Sunday night football brings families closer together and unites strangers. No matter what team you are, we can all agree that football marks the start of fall.
So now that you have read the list, get started. You only have until the middle of November, then we get into the Christmas season and that's a whole other list.
