Every season has its charms, but fall is hands down my favorite time of year. When the weather starts to cool down, I relish the chill in the air and the need for an extra blanket to curl up in. I switch from iced coffee to hot lattes and thrill at the first sign of the changing leaves. Although it’s great to be outdoors in the cooler weather, fall is also a wonderful time to get relaxed and comfortable inside. Here are some delightful ways you can cozy up to fall in the comfort of your own home.
Build A Fire
As the temperature cools down, there’s nothing like a cozy fire either in the indoor fireplace or in a fire pit outside where you can gather with friends and family to roast marshmallows or hot dogs. The smell of a burning fire evokes feelings of cooler days ahead and brings on a feeling of nostalgia as we say goodbye to the warm days of summer…until we meet again.
Chili Night
Cooler weather is great for making a big pot of chili (or any great soup of your choosing). Not only will a wonderful meal like this smell great cooking in a warm, inviting kitchen, it will hopefully bring the family together to enjoy this special time.
Carve Pumpkins
With fall comes Halloween, and that means it’s time to go pick some pumpkins! A great activity to do at home is pumpkin carving or even pumpkin painting…whatever creative ideas you can come up with. This is a time-honored event that is fun at any age. The pumpkins can then be proudly displayed where everyone can see them.
Bring Fall Scents Into Your Home
You can find candles, essential oil diffusers, or recipes to “cook” on your stovetop to make your house smell amazing and bring in the aroma of fall. One particularly wonderful stovetop recipe is as follows:
Homemade Simmering Spices – place ingredients in a big pot of water and simmer on low heat!
- 2 navel oranges, peeled
- 1 apple, sliced in half
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 1 teaspoon-sized knob of fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried orange peel
Have a Scary Movie Night
Another seasonal activity that may strike your fancy is scary movie night. Pick out some of your favorites and get cozy on the couch with blankets, snacks, and friends to enjoy all the jump scares these creepy tales have to offer.
Football
Fall marks the kickoff of football season, making many sports fans very happy. Whether it’s NFL, College, or even High School football you’re interested in, there’s nothing like football to make it feel like fall.
Grab A Blanket And Read A Good Book
There’s nothing cozier than taking some time out to snuggle on the couch with a blanket and a favorite book. Cozy up to the warmth inside your home and appreciate the gift of being able to take this time for yourself to recharge while the cool air blows the leaves around outside.
Bake Something Delicious
Baking is always a welcome activity…for the baker and those who benefit from the final product! There are so many delicious treats that make us think of fall…pumpkin spiced cupcakes, sweet potato pie, apple fritters, carrot cake, apple crumb cake…just to name a few. Find one that appeals to you and have a great time making something everyone will be excited to indulge in.
With the changing leaves, cooler weather, harvest festivals, and new beginnings….there is just something warm and cozy about the fall. There’s more of an excuse to stay inside, warm up and feel safe in your comfort zone. This season creates the perfect excuse to find comfort, warmth, and time for reflection.