Fall Activities: Pandemic Edition
We all know 2020 is a different year, and fall activities will look a bit different this year to continue to keep yourself and your loved ones (and the people you don’t even know) safe and healthy. I’m not unique in saying that I love fall, and I really wanted to find joy this season despite the year we’ve had. So I put together a mini bucket list of things I plan to do this fall.
TO CRAFT
I am particular about the crafts I do that are holiday or seasonal themed. First, I don’t like to move a bunch of stuff, so I prefer compact or disposable (in a responsible way) decor. Second, we don’t have kids, so I do try to keep it somewhat adult. Here are four I will be doing this fall season.
Carve Pumpkins - It’s hard to let a Halloween pass without carving a pumpkin. Truthfully, I usually get 20 minutes into carving a pumpkin and then get tired of it. But I do love homemade roasted pumpkin seeds (so I can control the salt level), and the joy of looking at all my hard work when I finally light the candle inside the pumpkin.
Sliced Orange Garland - I loved the dried orange garland for when the Halloween cobwebs come down and the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations go up.
DIY Halloween Bats - I made these bats last year because I couldn’t spend $30 bucks on already made bats. This took me the length of Hocus Pocus, and cost me about $10. This year, I used the same bats as last year. When I take them down I carefully remove the tape and store them flat in a ziplock bag.
Change your Letterfolk Tile Mat - Okay, I know this is pricey for a front doormat, but we were being really wasteful with our doormats each time we moved, and the brown bristles were always falling apart. Plus, I have always loved the idea of having a new doormat for the holidays and seasons, but I don’t love the idea of storing said mats. Change up your Letterfolk mat to better match the holiday or seasonal mood you are in. Ours is currently a skull and crossbones, but will probably change to VOTE for a short few days in November before Thanksgiving takes over.
TO MAKE
Honestly, this is where I will spend the majority of my energy this fall since baking and cooking are an easy, solo activity that obviously reaps all the yummy benefits once you’re done.
Kettle Corn - I love stovetop popcorn, so when I found this at home kettle corn recipe, I knew it would be on my “to make” list this fall. It feels very fall festival to me. Make this and settle into a movie marathon.
Pumpkin Bread - This is the same version of the banana bread I make year-round, and it is so good. Pumpkin bread is about the only pumpkin flavored thing I like, so I make this a handful of times every fall.
Apple Cider Donuts - We have not made this yet, but it has been on my list. Last year, we waited for over an hour for apple cider donuts at a pumpkin patch, but the line never really moved so we bailed. I am making sure we are not missing out this year!
Roast Pumpkin Seeds - Duh. Duh. Duh. This is a must if you carve pumpkins.
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Apple Crisp - This is my go-to for Thanksgiving so I can free up some time with my oven. But honestly, this is good for any day during the fall. If you go apple picking, this should be added to your list. Plus, it’s in the crockpot, so it’s so easy.
Granola - I know this is a year round treat, but since we’re looking for things to do inside as the weather gets colder why not make your own granola. We’ve made this recipe countless times, and it always delivers.
Soups - Fall is soup season. Here are a few of my favorites: Tomato Soup, Lasagna Tortellini Soup, Butternut Squash Soup, and Thai Pumpkin Soup. You can expect to see them at least once this fall in my On Our Plates Posts.
TO DO
Fall Foliage Drive - This year has been the year of “joy rides” in an effort to just get out of the house, so I am delighted the leaves are starting to change here. May I suggest this playlist: Feel Good Fall 2019.
Go For a Hike - We are blessed with tons of great hikes in Southeast Ohio. Getting outside during the cooler months when the leaves start changing is something I feel like I need. It truly refreshes me. If you have hiking opportunities near you, take advantage of them while you can.
Charcuterie Picnic - Recently, we have been super into charcuterie boards, or as some of my friends have called them - the adult lunchbox, and while the weather feels so wonderful and less humid we are taking advantage by squeezing in as many picnics in our favorite park as possible. Combine the two together and you have a winning combo.
Go Apple or Pumpkin or Whatever Produce Picking - if you can do this while keeping social distancing guidelines in place, I strongly recommend adding this to your list. My favorite apple orchard here is closed for picking this season, but we found a wonderful pumpkin farm near by that was very spacious.
Watch Holiday/Fall Movies - Whether they are Halloween themed or just fall themed, when it starts getting dark earlier, I love getting in comfies and cozying up for a good movie. Some of my favorites are Hocus Pocus, When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail.
For more ideas, check out my friend Nora’s, @purely_nora, list here. What is on your list this fall?
xx,
Linds
