There’s been a crisp autumn breeze in the air the past few days. We all feel fall coming, but as college students, it can be difficult to romanticize your life without feeling the need to spend a bunch of money on items and activities. I love autumn, but hate when it’s difficult to enjoy the season because of budget constraints. So, here are some fun fall activities that won’t hurt your wallet quite as much as you may feel the need to.
1. Photoshoot
This is a fun activity to do with friends that can get you in the autumn spirit without spending any money, except maybe on gas. You can get ready in your favorite fall clothes together and walk or drive to a spot with fall vibes.Â
Some photo-taking location ideas are: pumpkin patches, sunflower fields, anywhere with trees or colorful leaves, book stores, record stores, farmers markets, cafes or crystal shops. This is a fun excuse to get out of the house and do something with friends. Plus, you get to post your aesthetic photos on Instagram!
2. Crafting
I recommend having a craft night with friends if you don’t already have the supplies for whatever you want to do. Splitting costs can make the activities much cheaper! You may also be able to find some crafting materials at thrift stores to save money.
You can paint fall-themed canvases or create autumn decorations like wreaths or table decor. You could also wax paint candles, specifically pumpkin or cinnamon scented ones to make it more autumn-esque. If you need help getting specific design ideas for something, you should check out Pinterest for inspiration.
A less conventional but super fun option could be to create a customized card or board game and making it fall themed. You can paint over one you already have or make your own out of card board, poster paper and other supplies. This way, you can have a fall themed game night with friends later too! If you’re into the spiritual side of the autumn aesthetic, you could also make your own customized tarot card deck.
3. Pumpkin Decorating
This is a surprisingly cheap idea because you don’t have to get the pumpkin from a patch where they may be more expensive. You can get pumpkins for very cheap at lots of stores. You probably already have tools you can use to carve pumpkins at home and if not, then you can also get some for pretty low prices; just be careful to not nick yourself! Or, you can opt for painting or decorating your pumpkin with whatever else you may have at home or get for a good price at the store.Â
4. Your Own Coffee
You can go about this in so many ways, but making your own coffee is so much cheaper than buying it. So, if you are a caffeine addict like me, it can be fun to make your own autumnal drinks.Â
Personally, I have a Nespresso, so I just brew any double shot pod into a mug with brown sugar, cinnamon, honey and some milk. But, you can use any type of coffee you want: store-bought cold brew, instant coffee or whatever you have access to. You can use spices and syrups you may already have, or buy fun creamers and fancy additions for this. The best part of this is that you can make your coffee exactly how you like.
Also, bonus points if you have a cute seasonal cup to use for this!
5. Baking Treats
Baking is one of the best and easiest ways to get in the spirit of the season. Not only do you get to enjoy a yummy treat, you also get to have a fun time making it while your kitchen fills with the scents of the season. It’s likely that you already have most of the ingredients you may need to make some basic treats. If you need some fun treat ideas and recipes, you can check out my article, “What’s Rising for Fall? A Fall Baking Guide” for some inspiration.Â
I recommend putting on some music, a spooky movie or an episode of “Gilmore Girls” for optimal autumn vibes.
I hope some of these ideas helped you figure out what your next fall activity is! If not, keep in mind that most activities can have an autumnal aura with the right ambience. If you don’t have time or the money for any of these, I would recommend trying to set the mood while you’re at home or studying. I find that stimulating your senses is the best way to feel fall energy; you can always light a candle or buy cinnamon brooms, turn on warmer lighting and listen to a fall movie, book or playlist in the background. I’m wishing you all a fantastic fall!