My favorite time of the year has arrived, when trees slow down and the leaves change color before falling on the ground. With longer nights and temperatures dropping, you know fall has officially begun.
While fall is full of events like visiting a pumpkin patch, enjoying the autumn foliage, and dressing up for Halloween, there are many other things to look forward to from the comfort of your own home. Bonus points if you make your friends fall in love with autumn too and host the perfect cozy night in with fall activities!
- Baking
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Now is the perfect time to go beyond the pumpkin spice latte and get together with your girls to make some fall treats. Pumpkin bread, cinnamon rolls, and even Halloween-themed brownies are some of my favorite desserts to get into the autumn spirit. Not only can you decorate the cutest treats, but you can take a break from midterm studying and recharge with friends.
Unfortunately, as college students, we can’t make everything from scratch in our tiny apartment kitchens. Yet, that won’t stop us from enjoying a baked good with better company, even if it’s store-bought. Plus, when paired with a fall movie, nothing could go wrong.
- Journaling
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Many people think journaling is only about writing your thoughts out, but it’s so much more than that. Journaling can turn into anything you want.
It can become a logbook where you track things you’ve watched or read. It can be a notebook for drafting fictional stories or song lyrics. Plus, it can be a scrapbook where you doodle, paint, and paste pictures instead of writing words. You can also get thrifty and make a junk journal by scrapbooking with recycled materials.
- Bedazzling
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Bedazzling is extremely fun, but it can also take the most time. In a way, bedazzling taught me how to be more patient, and it’s so worth it when you can make any ordinary item pop.
First, start off slow. I began bedazzling a pen before I moved on to perfume, lip gloss, hair clips, and literally every item lying around. It’s honestly addictive and adds so much color to your room.
While it may seem tedious at first, it honestly takes your mind off of anything stressful. I highly recommend making an evening out of it filled with bedazzling, watching Gilmore Girls, and enjoying your go-to fall drinks with friends.
- Puzzling
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Often overlooked, puzzles are a great way to wind down from a busy week. They can provide a fun challenge that keeps your mind engaged while allowing for a break from everyday stress.
The jigsaw puzzle is a classic that can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from 50 to 5000 pieces and even in 2D or 3D formats. Whether you’re looking for a quick break from homework or a weekend project, take on one section at a time instead of trying to do everything in one go to keep the activity light and engaging.
However, if you want a more creative challenge, you can always look beyond the humble jigsaw puzzle and try a spooky spinoff of a classic game. One of my favorite puzzles is Murdoku, which is a murder-mystery spin on the classic sudoku. Players use Sudoku problem-solving to play a Clue-style game and figure out the identity of the murderer.
Be careful though; these games can turn addictive quickly. Once I started with Murdoku, I also quickly moved on to the Murdle.
- Book Nook Building
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Whether you’re solo for the afternoon or having friends over, you can never go wrong with a craft night. One craft I’ve been loving is building small decorative items to add more whimsy to a space.
If you love LEGOs, you will really enjoy the time you put into the build. These crafts come in kits with instructions on how to assemble an intricate book nook that looks like a portal to another world. Some themes include fairy tales, coffee shops, and mini libraries. If you choose one with lights, they’ll have a nice glow on your bookshelf.
While the weather is getting colder, spending time inside doesn’t have to be boring. Invite some friends over, light your favorite fall candle, and break out your bedazzler or a baking sheet.
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