The leaves are changing, there’s a crisp breeze, and pumpkin spice lattes are everywhere. It’s fall! No matter your budget, or if you live somewhere where the temperatures aren’t quite dropping yet, you can still enjoy the autumn. Here are a few of our favorite activities to add to your autumn to-do list!
1. Get Started on Holiday Crafts
What’s cozier than snuggling up on the sofa under a warm blanket, a cup of tea nearby, and your favorite spooky (or not) movie on TV? Not much – but did you know you can do all that while getting ahead on holiday gifts? Use your comfy movie time to knit, crochet, or embroider gifts for friends and family or to patch up those warm winter socks that you’ve forgotten about all summer. You can also work on your favorite seasonal DIY decor projects.
2. Plant a Fall Garden
Summer’s over, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to be. In many parts of the United States, there are still vegetables and flowers that you can plant in the cooler months! The specific plants and vegetables that will grow well in your area depend on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. But generally speaking, you can try planting autumn flowers and vegetables such as:
- Root vegetables (radishes, beets, carrots)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Leafy greens (arugula, kale, mustard greens)
- Annual flowers (violas and pansies)
- Spring-blooming bulbs (daffodils and tulips)
The fall is also a great time to start composting with your kitchen scraps.
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3. Shop for Seasonal Ingredients and Host a Dinner Party
Gather around the dining room table because there’s a reason that fall is known as a harvest season. Many delicious vegetables are ready for picking, cooking, or storage. Why not create a seasonal menu, find as much local produce as you can, and host a dinner party? You can either cook for your attendees or have it potluck style and encourage your guests to stick to the autumn theme. Your guests can enjoy delicious soups, roasted veggies, sweet summer corn, and more.
4. Go Leaf Peeping
If you live near somewhere with changing leaves, taking a nice fall drive to look at leaves can be a fun, budget-friendly way to enjoy the season. Consider packing a picnic lunch, a blanket to sit on, and tasty seasonal beverages to sip; then, go out for a drive and find a scenic place to enjoy! Remember to be considerate to those who live in the areas you visit and always obey the laws of the road. If you don’t live near changing leaves, consider pulling up a chair, finding a virtual leaf-peeping tour, or grabbing a PSL and browsing live webcams in areas such as Vermont, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Colorado.
5. Work on Your Winter Hobbies
Winter is a great time to hunker down and enjoy your indoor hobbies. Why not go ahead and get a head start? Whether you’re an experienced painter, yogi, knitter, and musician or trying to find something new to fill the long evenings of the winter, turn to autumn for inspiration. This is a great time to develop (or re-develop) your habits and make your hobbies a part of your day. Think of it like prepping your den for a long winter!
6. Knock Out Your Home Improvement Projects
Speaking of prepping your den, fall is a great time to knock out your final outdoor DIY projects before getting started inside. Warm afternoons make it an excellent time to finish your painting and add weatherstripping for winter insulation. Autumn is also a great time to build an outdoor firepit if you don’t have one or enjoy the one you have.
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7. Head to CORT Furniture Outlet For Great Used Furniture
The seasons are changing, and blowing your budget on fun fall activities can be tempting. However, you don’t have to ruin your current savings streak just to enjoy the autumn – in fact, there are plenty of free or cheap seasonal things you can do to enjoy this short time before winter!
If one of your fall to-dos includes buying new furniture for your home, you can still stick to your budget while redecorating; just visit your local CORT Furniture Outlet! At CORT Furniture Outlet, you’ll find high-quality, classic pieces at up to 70% off retail prices. That means you can cross “furniture” off your autumn to-do list while still getting fantastic pieces to complete your space. Visit CORT Furniture Outlet online or in-store to check out our constantly-changing selection.
