As the leaves turn color, the weather gets cooler, and the seasons inevitably change, I can’t help but get swept up by all the “spooky szn” galore. There are a few things that are must-do’s each year to get me in the mood and really make it feel like it’s fall.
- Apple picking
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Sounds pretty standard, but for me, apple picking in my home state of Vermont at Hackett’s Orchard, where I went every year growing up, is my #1 spooky szn/fall essential. Now, the tractor ride out to pick-your-own isn’t necessary, but the cider donuts at the end definitely are.
- Hocus pocus
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This is more my boyfriend’s essential that I turned into mine. A movie night featuring “Hocus Pocus” is a non-negotiable. You already know we watched it when I went home for the long weekend.
- Pumpkin carving
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My roommates have some pumpkin patch plans up their sleeves for this weekend. I can’t say I’ve ever been to a pumpkin patch (shocker, I know) but I’m certainly all for pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, and good, old-fashioned #roommatebonding.
- halloween cards
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My grandmother’s favorite holiday was Halloween. Every year she would plan her costume, call the whole family to tell them, and send Halloween cards which always arrived before October even began. Since she died in March, I’m carrying on her tradition this year, armed with a stack of stationery. However, if you know me, I’m hardly early to anything, so these did not arrive in September.
- Decorations
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My decoration game is struggling while living on campus. At home, my mom has a huge box for the season, including a life-size skeleton to hang on the front door. This year, my decorations consist of Trader Joe’s pumpkins, ghost window decals, and a few fake spiders. Nevertheless, having a spooky space really puts me in a spooky mood.
- Trick-or-treating
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It may sound basic, but I’m serious. My favorite part of Halloween is Halloween night itself, particularly when I was living at home in a neighborhood with lots of young kids. Handing out candy to the neighborhood kids, most of which I knew, was a highlight. Throw on a spooky movie and a simple costume (my personal favorite is a witch hat) and you’ve got yourself a night.
As I move into this new chapter of my life, I’m working through creating new traditions with new people. Even so, I’ll hold on to my spooky szn essentials. Even if I can’t go to Hackett’s every year, I’m definitely going apple picking and eating several cider donuts. Let me know your spooky szn essentials (I’m always looking for recs) and I hope you found some inspo in this. Now, please enjoy my dog, Pepper, looking very autumnal and spooky.
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