Whether you live in perfect fall climates or live on sunny southern beaches, here is a fall bucket list for the pumpkin lover is us all.
Fall in the Deep South is a state of mind. If we waited for fall weather to enjoy the boots and hot cider, we would be waiting until late October or early November. At the time of this post, we are breaking high temps of 98 in Tuscaloosa.
I’m not sure if it’s a thing everywhere, but I’m usually putting up Christmas trees during the LSU BAMA game on the first weekend of November. I just can’t wait for fall weather to do my growing list of favorite fall things.
So, whether you live in the perfect location for apple picking or you’re a sunny beach resident wearing shorts all year, here is a list of things we love in the fall. Group a few of these together for some great events to say goodbye to summer and welcome to slowing days of fall.
Watch Fall Harvest on Hallmark
Go ahead and get the Hallmark Movie Checklist app and thank me later. (It has the upcoming Christmas list!)
If you have a rainy night when games are cancelled and the kids are entertaining themselves, you can knock out a few things off this fall bucket list.
- Burn a candle.
- Grab a pumpkin cookie.
- Put on your flannel pjs (or tank and shorts, Alabamians)
- Drink your homemade apple cider in your new fall mug.
Hello fall!
Go to a Fall Festival
These things are everywhere in every county in October. If you can’t find one on your local Chamber of Commerce, check local churches and schools. Also, don’t forget field trip locations for schools also have after-school hours for birthday parties and just fall funning around. Our local Tuscaloosa Barnyard is a FANTASTIC place for fall fun!
At the fall festival, try some of these items on my fall bucket list.
- Go on a hayride
- Visit the pumpkin patch
- Look for a chili or soup cook off.
- Corn maze or hay maze (not on my list…but should be!)
- Wear those boots, flannels, and scarves.
- Go to a football tailgate instead!
Some of the best fall activities are right at home.
Build a Backyard Bonfire
If you live in a developed community, this may not be possible. However, you can get creative with fire rings made with candles. Us country folks use this time of year to burn up old stumps and construction remnants if we are not in a burn ban.
With that outdoor bonfire going, try a few to these activities.
- roast marshmallows
- leaf piling and jumping
- use fake leaves from the craft store to take the fall boots-in-leaves pictures
- decorate the porch
- take family pictures
- tell some spooky stories or read your spooky stories by fire light
Fall Baking
Last on my list is one of my favorite things to do. I actually try to wait for the cooler weather to do this, but I may have to turn down the AC and pretend its cold this year. Here are my favorite stay home activities.
- bake pumpkin desserts
- make apple cider
- decorate the house
- find a warm blanket and read Sleepy Hallow or watch Hocus Pocus
- burn fall candles
No matter where you live, fall is in the heart especially if the climate does not cooperate with the calendar.
So put on some fall movies and look forward to the coming holiday season with a cup of coffee, a good fall candle, and a growing list of things you’re thankful for. Happy Fall!
