Cross These Items Off Your Fall Bucket List

While fall brings less daylight and cooler weather, you can't help but get excited for the colorful leaves, pumpkin carving, candy corn and bonfires. Below is a bucket list of fall must-dos, -eats and -drinks.

1. Consume As Many Pumpkin Flavored Beverages As Possible

I can't go through the fall season without indulging in one or two pumpkin-flavored coffees. And when I say one or two, I really mean all of 'em: Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, Dunkin' Donuts' Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Latte, Caribou Coffee's Wild Pumpkin, Peet's Coffee's Pumpkin Latte...and the list continues.  
 
Granny tip: if you're looking for an alternative fall beverage with fewer calories, this pumpkin pie smoothie is right up your alley.   
 

 

2. DIY Crafts And Decorations
 

The second weekend in September is when is when I pull the fall decorations out of storage and begin to research DIY crafts. Each year my grandchildren and I find a fun, little project to add to the collection of decorations. This year we're making pumpkin terracotta pots.   
 

3. Go On A Hayride 
 

An annual hayride is a long-standing tradition with my family. Granny tip: try to plan this activity mid-September to early October before it gets too chilly. 

4. Drink Apple Cider
 

Warm or cold, apple cider hits the spot on a crisp, fall day. Luckily an apple orchard is located a few miles down the road from my house but you can also find apple cider at your local grocery store.  
 

5. Find Room For New Fall Clothing

Fall is the perfect time to clean out your closet. Get rid of summer clothes that you haven't worn and make room for chunky sweaters, boots and scarves. On the hunt for new fall trends? Combine department store sales with discount gift cards to get the ultimate deal on clothing.  

6. Find Your Way Through A Corn Maze
 

A corn maze is always a fun outdoor activity in the fall. Hold a competition with your family to see who can escape the maze first!

7. Make Caramel Corn
 

Caramel corn is an easy to make snack for the family (and also works as a gift). This recipe is a favorite of mine - I always have to double the recipe because at my house a batch is gone within a day. Even my neighbors know when I'm making caramel corn because they can smell the scent from outside! 
 
Granny tip: Harry & David has a great selection of popcorn if you don't have time to make your own batch. Pair your purchase with a Harry & David discount gift card for extra savings. 

8. Visit A Haunted House
 

While I'm a scaredy-cat and have close my eyes, my grandchildren (well, the ones that are old enough), enjoy going to haunted houses in the fall. 

9. Jump In Leaves

One of my favorite things about this season is watching my grandchildren jump in the leaves. This activity is an added bonus because every time they want to play in the leaves my yard gets raked!

10. Take A Trip To The Pumpkin Patch 

Fall isn’t complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch! 

This list makes my fall complete. Do you have any fall traditions? Comment and let me know.