Fall is my favorite season of the year, and I am sure it is the same for many college students. Fall always reminds me of football games, Halloween parties, haunted houses, and cooking pumpkin treats, among other activities. Since we are spending this fall season in the midst of a pandemic, I thought I would share some of the fall plans I have that are safe, enjoyable, and affordable for college students.
Something I haven’t done since I was a kid is going to a pumpkin patch, picking out the perfect pumpkin, and going home and carving it. There are a few good places to do this around Raleigh, one being the North Carolina State Farmers Market. They will have pumpkins to choose from during this fall season. You could also visit your local Walmart or Harris Teeter. I have seen pumpkins in these stores already, although it will not be the true fall aesthetic pumpkin patch some will be looking for. If you want the full fall experience, I would recommend checking out DJ’s Berry Patch located in Apex, NC. They have a large selection of pumpkins, they are outside, and the area is very large so it will be easy to socially distance yourself from others at the farm, just remember your mask! I have also seen some pumpkin carving kits at the dollar store, so pick one of those up and start carving your pumpkin. This is a fun and affordable activity you can do with your roommates or family.
Your living space this year is very important as you are spending a lot more time there than in the past years. Because of this, I am trying to go all out with my Halloween and fall decorations this year because it makes me happy to live in a space that is dominated by spooky decorations. The dollar store is, again, a great place to buy a lot of this spooky decor. I have personally bought some fake sparkly pumpkins, lights with bats on them, and a sign for my porch that says “welcome to our patch”. These are just little ways to spice up your living space for the Halloween season. If you want to be a little extra, like me, I would recommend going to Walmart or Target. Walmart has a large array of fall decor to choose from and it is inexpensive. Target has a little more pricey decorations, but some of them are definitely worth it. They have the best lights out of any store I’ve been to and they also have a $5 and under section with some very cute decorations.
Spooky season is the only socially acceptable time to watch scary movies on repeat, so take advantage of this while you can. Get together with your roommates or family and pick out a good horror or Halloween movie. I have many great movie recommendations you can find on Netflix for your enjoyment. And what is a movie night without snacks? Get some popcorn and chips or make your own pumpkin-themed treats. I love pumpkin bread and it is super easy and inexpensive to make! Just look up a recipe online and you will probably have most of the ingredients already.
Another way to get into the fall spirit is to have a picnic at Pullen Park. I did this over the summer and it was so much fun, taking in the beautiful views and having some snacks with my friends. You could even do a socially distant picnic. Have your friends bring their own blanket and food and set up six feet apart. Make sure to bring some music and a speaker! Pullen Park is so beautiful when all of the leaves start changing color and it is the perfect place for a picnic.