Now that summer heatwaves have come to a close, we all know how the next few months go: September, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Doesn’t it just give you that warm fuzzy feeling? You know that time of year is finally rolling around the bend when you see girls walking around campus embracing their inner Han Solo - white shirts, vests, and brown riding boots. I’ve always been biased towards fall being my favorite season (not only because my birthday is in October), but because there are endless things to fall in love with, besides pumpkin spice flavored everything.
1. Apple Picking
It’s like picking presents for yourself that you can eat outside in the chilled autumn air. What more could you ask for in life? There’s nothing more sweet than making homemade apple crisp, apples pies, or just taking a bite out a freshly picked granny smith. Lace up your boots and enjoy a glass of hot apple cider. Force your friends, family, and significant other to go apple picking this season!
2. Foliage
Do you remember when you were a kid, you would spend the day raking leaves into a big pile and then jump into them? Yeah. Do that. It’s totally socially acceptable when you have fall fever. There are countless places to go hiking and exploring for the day to take in the sights surrounding you. Take advantage of nature’s beautiful gifts and spend some time in the great outdoors, because before you know it, Mother Nature is going to lay down a blanket of snow to cover it all up.
3. Carving Pumpkins
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Ew, I don’t want to stick my hand in slimy pumpkin guts!” Um, actually, yes, you do. Carving your favorite designs or simply creating a classic Jack-O-Lantern face is a cute, creative way to light up your house and get it spooky for Halloween. And you can even save the pumpkin seeds for later to bake them in the oven. Delicious.
4. Sweatshirt and Flannel Weather
Summer is too hot, winter is too cold. Welcome to New England. No one can seem to be content with either extreme temperatures, which is why fall is the perfect in between season. You don’t need to bundle up in a heavy winter jacket yet; you can throw on your favorite flannel or sweatshirt to keep you cozy. There’s nothing more perfect than not needing your air conditioner or the heat on yet, especially when driving to class or work in the mornings.
5. Apple Cider Donuts
Need I say more? It’s an addiction.
6. Halloween
As Marnie Piper once said, “Halloween is cool.” She’s right! Who doesn’t love creeping around haunted houses and dressing up for costume parties? Embrace your inner Halloweentown, and dress up as something a little more creative than a black cat or a vampire. Plus, it’s an excuse to buy bags of candy lining the shelves of grocery stores.
7. 13 Nights of Halloween plus Haunting Series Premieres
It’s better than the 25 Days of Christmas. Always. And sometimes you even get the best of both worlds (cue Hannah Montana) when you have geniuses who combine two holidays in one, like The Nightmare Before Christmas. Throwback Disney Channel original Halloween flicks are always a classic. American Horror Story’s new season Hotel has just premiered starring Lady Gaga, and for all of the #basic chicks out there, Scream Queens is not your typical sorority house - it’s got blood, guts, gore, and Nick Jonas. And if you’re just really not into Ryan Murphy, The Walking Dead’s zombies are pretty festive as well. Embrace your introverted Netflix-and-chill-by-myself-because-I’m-allergic-to-cats lifestyle, snuggle up under a blanket, and have a movie marathon!
8. Seasonal Scented Candles
Speaking of #basic chicks, I pretty much evolve into one when I walk by any Yankee Candle store in the mall. It’s an addiction, like the apple cider donuts. I don’t know what kind of things they’re putting in those candles, but I can’t stop sniffing them. Pumpkin spice. Fresh apple crisp. Pumpkin pie. It’s just smack-you-in-the-face-fall-fantastic.
9. Football
You don’t even have to pretend like you know what’s going on, because you’re just so excited to be at a game, sipping on your hot chocolate, and remembering to cheer at the right times for the right team. And the biggest plus of all, Brady is finally free. Go Pats!
10. Spending Time with Family
A lot of college students are unable to make the trek home to spend time with their family until Columbus Day weekend, or even Thanksgiving. Family Weekends are a great way to have your family visit you at school, while participating in various festivities your school has planned for you, like magic shows and painting pumpkins. No matter your age, it never gets old seeing the looks on your parents’ and siblings’ faces when you meet them outside your dorm, or when you pull into your driveway and open the door to your house for the first time in weeks. Spending quality time with those you love will never go out of style, no matter the season. Besides, a home cooked meal from mom always hits the spot.
