These days, Christmas decorations start hitting store shelves in September and the gift-shopping frenzy kicks off as soon as Halloween is over. The holiday season seems to creep up earlier every year, but I’d just like to say: justice for fall. Autumn technically lasts all the way through December 21, and while I recognize that December is prime holiday time, November is still solidly fall. You don’t have to ditch fall activities and fashion, Meg Ryan movies, and all things pumpkin as soon as October ends. There’s plenty of time left to embrace the slow, cozy vibes of fall before the holiday chaos ensues. If you want to hold onto autumn as long as possible, here are 17 fall activities to do while soaking up the end of this glorious season.
1. Sit by a bonfire.
Bonfires (and their distinct smoky smell) are one of the coziest parts of autumn. If you can make a bonfire in your backyard, have at it for one last hoorah, complete with s’mores. But if you don’t have the setup, head to a brewery or patio with fire pits and relish the flames warming you up as you sip something seasonal like cider or a hot toddy.
2. Get a fall manicure.
Before you deck your nails in bright red and shimmering gold for some holiday manicure magic, embrace rich and cozy fall nail colors like espresso, burgundy, and mocha. Scroll through this year’s best fall nail colors and trends for inspiration before your next appointment. I’m planning to treat myself to a fresh manicure before Thanksgiving.
3. Read a book set in the fall.
If you haven’t read a novel set in the fall yet, now’s the time to embrace the golden-hued, magical vibes of autumn before you crack open a Christmas-themed book. This list of 20 books to get wrapped up in this fall includes plenty of cozy romances, witchy tales, and low-stakes mysteries that are ideal for curling up and getting lost on a crisp afternoon.
4. Make a fall cocktail or mocktail.
Embrace the season of pumpkin before peppermint takes over. If you haven’t indulged in an at-home fall cocktail yet, now’s the time to mix up fun drinks with flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. If you want to go all out, pick your favorite beverage from this list of fall cocktail and movie pairings. I’m thinking Harry Potter plus pumpkin juice or When Harry Met Sally paired with an apple cider cocktail. Why not both?
5. Go thrifting for fall decor or clothes.
Whether you’re looking for quirky glassware for your Thanksgiving table settings or you crave a cozy cable knit sweater, go on a treasure hunt through some thrift and antique stores. Something about the outing feels autumnal, and you can wear your favorite jeans-sweater-scarf combo for good measure.
6. Start a cozy new hobby.
Winter brings lots more time spent at home, so now is the time to find a cozy new hobby to fill your free time. Whether you want to try knitting, watercolor painting, or embroidery, there are plenty of hobbies you can do at home, while snuggled up in a blanket and sipping a warm beverage, of course. Head to your local craft store to stock up on supplies, and don’t be afraid to try a few new hobbies until you find something that sticks.
7. Rewatch your favorite fall TV episodes.
If you want to stay in a fall state of mind, your favorite comfort show can help. Series like Gilmore Girls, Friends, and Gossip Girl have plenty of episodes that fully deliver on the cozy autumn vibes. The next time you need something mindless to watch, throw on your favorite Thanksgiving episode and soak in all the cozy nostalgia.
8. Watch some football.
Whether you’re just there for the game-day snacks or have been a lifelong fan of the big game, late fall is the perfect time to watch some football with friends or family. Put on your cutest game-day outfit and enjoy watching the sport of the season from the bleachers, your favorite dive bar, or your couch. Football season continues well into winter, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to cheer on your favorite team.
9. Paint some pumpkins.
Just because spooky season is over doesn’t mean you have to do away with pumpkins and gourds! Head to your local grocery store or farmer’s market, pick up some (still in season!) pumpkins, and gather a group of your friends to paint cute designs on them over a glass of wine or two. They might not end up being Jack-o’-lanterns, but they’ll be just as cute sitting on your front porch throughout the rest of the fall.
10. Plan a Friendsgiving potluck.
A Friendsgiving is the perfect excuse to get all your friends together before schedules fill up during the hectic holiday season. I’m not necessarily suggesting you try your hand at roasting an entire 15-pound turkey (unless that’s your thing!), so make it easier on yourself by asking everyone to contribute a dish to the spread. Just be sure to coordinate so you don’t end up with five different types of mashed potatoes.
11. Spend a whole afternoon at a coffee shop.
This is one of those fall activities to save for days when the wind is blowing all those crunchy leaves around and it’s too chilly to go outside. Commandeer a table at your favorite coffee shop, order a cozy beverage, and kick back with a good book. Bonus points if you go on a rainy afternoon for the ultimate moody fall ambience.
12. Have a fall movie night.
Unfortunately, the prime time for spooky movies has passed (see ya next year, Hocus Pocus), but there are still tons of movies with immaculate fall vibes. Obviously, anything with Meg Ryan in it is a safe bet, but I also love feel-good movies like The Proposal, Matilda, and Little Women this time of year. Pick one or two favorites and get out your coziest blankets for the perfect late-fall night in.
13. Wear your coziest fall outfit.
Between cable-knit sweaters, comfy clogs, and cozy shackets, fall is arguably the best time of year to get dressed. Before your regular outfit rotation becomes dominated by sparkles and holiday sweaters and it gets too cold to wear any less than six layers at a time, get one more use out of your favorite fall outfit. Whether you’re heading out for a happy hour or just running errands, give your go-to sweater-jeans-boots combo one last run.
14. Go hiking.
Depending on where you live, late fall may be prime time for colorful leaves—or the trees might be completely bare by the time November rolls around. Either way, a hike through the crunching leaves is still an excellent way to spend a fall afternoon. Be sure to wear plenty of layers and fill your Thermos with your favorite beverage to enjoy when you reach your destination.
15. Cook or bake with seasonal produce.
Apples, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, pears, and, of course, pumpkins are all in season right now, so consider this your sign to make something cozy and warm before autumn ends. Soups, pasta dishes, casseroles, and baked goods are all great options. Pick your favorite type of produce and get cooking!
16. Host a wine night.
My idea of the perfect late-fall evening involves a bottle of red, a cheese plate, and my favorite pair of slippers (do I sound old yet?). Invite a few friends over to share in the coziness for a laidback Friday night activity. Ask each person to bring a favorite cheese or snack, and put together a simple fall-inspired charcuterie board to snack on while you sip.
17. Make a fall wreath.
As you pack up your spooky decorations for the season, a fall wreath is just the thing to fill that void. Whether you’re a DIY queen or a novice when it comes to crafts, making your own wreath is a simple project anyone can handle. All you have to do is gather up some fall foliage, grasses, and/or flowers, and secure everything onto a wreath form. Use dried or faux materials so you can store your wreath and display it again next fall.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Claire West, Editor
As an Editor for the Home & Living category of The Everygirl, Claire writes and edits stories spanning topics like food, travel, hobbies, and decorating. During her eight years in the media industry, Claire has touched everything from fashion to relationships to celebrity interviews at magazines like People and InStyle.
The post 17 End-of-Fall Activities to Try if You’re Not Ready for the Holidays Yet appeared first on The Everygirl.
