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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.

There’s no doubt that the presence of COVID-19 has certainly put a damper on everyone’s plans in some way shape or form, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your fall festivities. You can still have plenty of fall fun amidst the COVID chaos while remaining happy and healthy. Things may not be normal with adjustments made due to COVID, but here is a list of fall activities you can do to make your fall feel as normal as possible. Make sure that you wear a mask to any activities outside the comfort of your home, of course!

Fall decor crafts

Crafts are an absolute must during any time of the year. Characteristics of the fall time can be displayed in a number of ways, from leaves to ghoulish ghosts and pumpkins to spooky skeletons. These decorations can range from earthy to scary, so they can range in the number of ways you can decorate with them! A great way to search crafts that best fit your living space and how much time you have to make them is to utilize Pinterest. Pinterest will provide a number of options best for you! Whether you’re helping small children make crafts or simply want to make fall crafts for your own enjoyment, you can surely find the perfect craft to do on Pinterest (or Google, of course). Much like any craft you can make, you can choose the perfect one depending on how much time, supplies, and resources it requires and the level of difficulty it is to complete.

Jack o’ lantern carving 

One of the most traditional fall activities of all time is carving pumpkins. The way you can select your pumpkin can vary; your local grocery store will likely carry pumpkins large enough to carve or you can make a trip to your local pumpkin patch and pick them yourself (be sure to social distance and wear a mask!). Once you have selected your perfect pumpkin, take it home and select the perfect design to carve into it! Another additional (and tasty) step you can take during the carving process is to save the seeds inside the pumpkin when you scoop it out. You can take these seeds and put them in the oven to bake into another salty fall snack.

Bake fall treats

Who doesn’t love a good treat? Especially the fall ones. There are a number of tasty treats to choose from and you could sample all of them throughout the fall season! From cookies to homemade pies, these sweet baked goods scream “fall” and are sure to give you the best fall feelings, inside and out. Apples and pumpkins are natural tastes of the season, but any baked good is sure to give you that warm, cozy feeling you’re seeking on those chilly fall days and nights.

Pick out new fall clothing

Shopping may be one of my personal favorite activities throughout the year. With the temperatures dropping, it’s time to trade out those sandals for your favorite pair of boots. Trade out those shorts for a stylish pair of jeans. If you love to shop as much as I do, the transition into a new season is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a few new fashionable pieces for the change in weather.

Cozy night in 

Who doesn’t love a cozy night in? But now make it fall edition. The best part about spending a night in at home is the countless options you have to spend it. You could spend it with your roommates, girlfriend/boyfriend, family, or even by yourself. The first step to a cozy fall night is a pair of soft, warm pajamas and some blankets to wrap up in. Next you’ll want to pick out a fall or Halloween themed movie, or a spooky book if you decide to spend the evening with yourself. There are a number of great movies to choose from, including any movie in the Harry Potter series, Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, and many more. Lastly, you can’t forget the snacks! Throw some popcorn in the microwave and mix it with some M&M chocolate candies and candy corn for the perfect sweet and salty treat for your night in at home.

Drive in date

You’ll need to hop in the car for this one, but luckily you won’t need to leave the comfort of your car. This option is ideal for a small group of friends or to spend date night with your significant other. You may need to search where the nearest drive in theater is in reference to your location and it may require a small drive, but the experience is worth it. The cooling temperatures of the time of year ensure plenty of opportunity to snuggle up in a blanket or two. This is a similar option to having a cozy night in at home, except this is a cozy night in your car. Of course, you can’t forget to bring your favorite snacks as you enjoy the movie!

Tailgate from home

Calling all football lovers! The NFL and college football seasons may look a bit different this year, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy watching the game with your loved ones and closest friends. Make all of your favorite game day foods and throw on that perfect game day outfit to cheer on your favorite team, just from the comfort of your own home! If you want to make it even more realistic, it’s possible to put together an awesome setup outside in your driveway to make it feel even more like your traditional tailgate. If you are watching the game with people outside of your immediate family and inner friend circle, be sure to socially distance yourselves from one another.

Surely after reading this list, you have found several appealing options to help you enjoy your fall, despite all of the changes happening in our normal lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With all of the negativity and feelings of sadness brought on by COVID, there are still many ways to stay positive. This list only contains 7 ways out of infinite opportunities to enjoy the fall season this year, and there are even more ways to enjoy your life and continue to have fun throughout all the seasons.

Morgan Day

Illinois State '21

Morgan Day is a senior public relations major and student-athlete on the softball team at Illinois State University. When she is not doing classwork, writing for HerCampus, or on the softball field, Morgan enjoys to sing, paint, and cuddle with her cat, Moose.
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