10 Ways to Celebrate Fall

Fall is HERE. And despite fully enjoying the Summer, those falling leaves and rainy days are giving me so much joy right now. And with the sheer number of #PSLs I’ve seen on the ‘gram lately, it seems y’all are in the same boat. And I know everyone has a Fall Bucket List. Apple picking, Pumpkin patching, hay bale riding, trick or treating… and of course I’ll be putting all of those on our list as well. I mean duh – I live in Washington. I’m legally obligated to go apple picking. But what I love most about Fall is that small smidge of quieter time between two busy seasons in the year. Summers are so busy for us, Back to School is just manic, and the holidays are quickly approaching. Which is why I like to take these few first weeks of Fall and take it easy and really immerse myself in celebrating my favorite season. It’s a lovely time to be intentional, invest in relationships and yourself, and really celebrate Fall in the best ways. Here’s how we’re planning to do it…

Make a Fall Wreath. I love to dry herbs from my Summer garden and flowers I pick up from the Farmers Market. They make great gifts in the winter, but also fun wreaths in the Fall. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, or even real flowers (or flowers at all!), but a new door hanger, or something nice to hang on the wall in the guest room before Fall guests arrive is so nice. And if you keep it simple, it stays fun. You can get the whole family involved, or take some time to do it yourself. Eucalyptus is one of my favorite plants to make wreaths with and it lasts for such a long time dried.
Write Letters. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something so romantic and movie-like about sitting by the window with a cup of hot tea on a rainy day and writing letters to those you love. We’re communicating now more than ever with texts, emails, and Facebook, but a hand written letter feels like such a grand gesture these days. It would make people’s day. And it’ll get your hand warmed up for holiday cards.
Go take some photos. I’m a photographer by day, so this seems pretty obvious for me to have on any list. But Fall provides some of the very best light for photos. You don’t have to take a fancy camera, but go find a park with lots of colorful trees and maybe leaves on the ground and go take photos making memories in this beautiful weather. Pass the camera around and use a park bench and the self timer to make sure everyone makes it into the album. Right before the sun goes down will be perfect lighting and all that gold will make your heart sing.

4. Learn to make your favorite Fall drink. Hot apple cider, pumpkin spice latte, chai tea latte, dark chocolate hot cocoa. The sky is the limit. I know Pinterest will help you out with this one, but feel free to mix and match recipes and work to perfect it until it’s just right. I know that I drink more coffee in the first few weeks of Fall than I probably do all Summer, so it’s important I know how to make it just right. And while I’ll settle for black coffee, knowing how to make my fav – the good ol’ PSL without having to leave the house (or spend $5) would be pretty darn cool.

5. Have friends over for dinner. Backyard barbecues feel easy because the kids can run free and it’s casual with a couple sides and everything on the grill. But for some reason, dinner inside feels fussy and arduous. But push it out of your mind. Make something easy or something you can make ahead (like my favorite Pot Pie that could be easily doubled and feed an army), chill a bottle of wine, and don’t worry so much. Invite friends who you can direct to the cabinet for their own glass instead of doing everything for everyone, and just have a meal together. Do it on Thursday over the game or make an awesome play list. The cool weather makes us all retreat inside, might as well stay warm together and foster relationships over a nice meal.

6. Cozy up the living room. Just like when winter clears, we head outside to clean up the yard to ready for Summer, we should do the same when the weather cools. And you don’t necessarily have to just work on the living room, but I always recommend adding a candle and a couple extra throw blankets. Other options: reorganize your baking drawer to ready for Fall baking, clean your closet out, spruce up your bed so it feels extra inviting on cool evenings. You don’t have to spend much, or anything, but it’s always so refreshing to come into the house and feel like your space is exactly what you need after a long, rainy, cool day.

7. Find a new show to watch with your hubs. There is so much good TV right now that I literally get overwhelmed and keep up with almost nothing. But my hubs and I got hooked on This Is Us last year and I know we’ll be watching it again this year because omg it’s so freaking good. That being said, I think it’s so fun to have one show you watch together every week. Pop some popcorn and make standing plans for that week’s episode. Treat it like a little date night at home and make it special. It’s something we look forward to together every Fall.

8. Read a New Book. I know. You’re a mom and you’re thinking “When am I supposed to have time for a book?!” I know. I’m the same way. But hear (read?) me out. Pick a book. We all have a million books people have recommended and we haven’t read right? Pick one. Grab it off Amazon or from the Library and start keeping it with you all the time. So when you’re sitting in the car pickup line, read a few pages. Read a couple before bed. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, read. And if you happen to score 20 minutes alone, cozy up with a blanket and read. When we lead such busy lives, reading a real book can feel like such a luxury. Indulge in that – it really does make a difference in your mental health when you do.

9. Try a new beauty product. The winter dryness is coming, guys. Try a new ultra-moisturizing mask or a new vampy lip. Ask your manicurist for a dark plum nail color or add a little red to your hair (I’m partial… ). I wouldn’t advise getting a Mohawk or anything, though I do have friends who rock that look just fine, but adding a new fun product in might be one of your favorite new accessories for the season.

10. Give. It’s natural for us to start handing food to shelters during Thanksgiving, or giving for Toys for Tots. All of which you should TOTALLY do and don’t stop. But right now, as weather is making it harder to be outside, lots of people struggle. When heating bills rise, food budgets lower. Animal shelters need blankets and food. Giving to worthy causes is a two way street, because I’ve never given to someone in need and felt worse about myself and it’s my favorite way to kick off a season of giving and togetherness, by doing now, even before the drives start.

I’m really excited to add these things into the mix among our other big Fall deals like the pumpkin patch and apple orchards. It just seems like the best way to go big and go home this Fall.. you know what I mean?