You guys. Fall is almost here. Target has put out their insanely large, insanely cute display of Back to School supplies. I’m trying desperately to stay away from it. I’m also preparing to teach a course this fall. So crazy. Feel free to refer to me as “professor.”
I’m also still on this saving money kick, but it hasn’t been much fun. I’m the kind of person who needs something to look forward to– like a trip! Since a trip is out of my budgetary reach and the summer is almost over (boo!), I created a list of free or cheap things to do this fall. I hope it will keep my spirits up, give me me something to look forward to and maybe even get you inspired and excited for fall?!
- Set some fun fall goals
- Donate school supplies to a child in need
- Volunteer
- Donate your gently-used winter coats to someone in need
- Enroll in a class at your local community college
- Take a hike
- Admire the foliage
- Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice in your morning coffee
- Get up early to admire the sunrise
- Learn to knit!
- Get an early start on making Holiday gifts
- Host a pot-luck Friendsgiving (a Thanksgiving with friends)
- Put pumpkin in everything!
- Visit a pumpkin patch (or do what my mom did and tell us we are visiting a pumpkin patch, but really just go to the grocery store and play on the pumpkin display)
- Go on a hay ride
- Visit a corn maze
- Carve pumpkins
- Don’t forget to roast the seeds!
- Rake the leaves
- Jump in the leaves!
- Winterize your home (or your Airstream!)
- Visit the library and check out Autumn-themed books
- Bake a pumpkin pie
- Share the pie with your neighbor
- Camp in your own backyard
- Chop wood
- Find the perfect walking stick
- Build a fire pit
- Make hobo packets
- Roast marshmallows
- Tell ghost stories
- Enjoy a pumpkin beer
- Go on a bike ride
- Go on a fall-themed picnic
- Learn to can vegetables
- Plant winter veggies
- Or plant bulbs for next spring
- Do lots of autumn-themed crafts
- Donate or sell the summer clothing that you didn’t wear
- Pear down your winter wardrobe
- Host a clothing swap
- Or swap online on Swapdom
- Sell your wares at a flea market
- Go apple picking
- Bob for apples
- Make candy apples
- Learn to make apple cider or jam
- Pop popcorn and drizzle it in caramel
- Drink hot apple cider
- Drink hot chocolate
- Break out your crock-pot
- Make pumpkin chili!
- Don’t forget the cornbread!
- Eat your weight in fall veggies– squash and Brussels sprouts and cabbage, oh my!
- Get excited for fall fashion
- Break out the flannel
- Pull on those wool socks
- Don’t worry about bad hair days, just put on a beanie!
- If you are a lady, pull on those thick tights (and don’t worry about shaving your legs!)
- If you are a dude, grow a beard!
- Cuddle up in your oldest sweatshirt
- Wrap up in warm blankets
- Watch It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- And A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
- Go to bed earlier
- Visit the fair or a fall festival (save money with these tips)
- Host a Halloween party
- Make your own Halloween costume and challenge yourself to use only stuff you can find around the house
- Dress up your pet!
- Craft creepy snacks like this Slimer Smoothie
- DIY candy
- Watch your favorite scary movie with a friend
- Read scary stories under the cover with a flashlight
- Listen to the Halloween station on Pandora
- Make spiced nuts
- Slurp on some soup and grill up an old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich
- Make beeswax candles
- Discover your local farmer’s market
- Slowly sip a cup of hot tea
- Pretend that you like candy corn
- Discover the real meaning of Thanksgiving
- Be more grateful by creating a gratitude journal
- Make turkey hands! They’re still fun, even when you’re almost 30!
- Simply sit outside and enjoy the cool weather
- Join a local foraging group and forage for wild edibles
- Make acorn soup
- Or mushroom soup from the forage
- Make real cranberry sauce and put it on french toast!
- Pour maple syrup on everything!
- Enjoy the Harvest Moon on September 8th
- Invite your friends over and create fall-themed cocktails
- Make a pine cone bird feeder and keep those birds fed all winter
- Paint your nails an autumn-colored hue
- Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and honor your deceased loved ones
- Break out the board games and your favorite jammies
- Give your mum some mums!
- Attend a high school football game
- Join a sports program for adults
- Participate in a zombie crawl
- Or a Turkey Trot for charity
- Take lots of pictures to document your memories!
Are you ready for fall? I’m feeling a little more ready and hopeful after this list.
What are your favorite fall-themed free activities? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie
