25 Things to Do Before Autumn Ends

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like to wait around and let stuff just happen, and a way to combat this is to write a list because when you make a list, you just seem to get shit done. Nothing in life feels unachievable when you colour coordinate. Sometimes even fun-time needs a little extra organisation so instead of letting this autumn pass you by, indulge in the seasons clichés and make this autumn the most action-packed, cinnamon-scented, spine-tingliest, gourd-filled one ever. 

1 – Go Apple Picking

You can’t have autumn without apples; they both begin with the letter 'a' and everything. Google orchards and farms near you to see if they run any pick-your-own services, and then spend a few hours picking the trees bare. Once you’ve gathered your bounty, coat them in caramel and sprinkles or slice them up and ask your ma or pa for their best pie recipe

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2 – Visit a Halloween Haunt Fest or Ghost Walk

With a little help from Google, you’re bound to discover some hidden Halloween event in your neighbourhood. Be it a ghost walk though the more macabre parts of town, a bar serving Halloween themed cocktails or a place going all out with scary themed haunts and people jumping out at you in costume, be prepared to get scared (that rhymed and I didn’t even mean it to)

3 – Carve a Pumpkin

Appease your inner kiddie by watching the classic horror movies of your childhood like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown or any of The Simpsons Tree House of Horror, and then stabbing the shit out of an innocent pumpkin. Carve something wild and intricate and go with the classic jack o’ lantern smile. Save the pumpkin seeds though, lots of fibre in pumpkin seeds.
 

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4 – Find the Scent of Autumn

Unlike other seasons, I feel that autumn has a really specific fragrance and these Betty Crocker apple pie and cinnamon roll scented candles have me hankering for fallen leaves, even in the midst of summer. Scour local cheap shops for similar scents, and if you’re feeling cocky, you could always DIY your own by tying cinnamon sticks around a candle with twine

5 – Donate for Harvest

With the bountiful nature of harvest, or maybe just too many cans in your cupboard, now’s the time to give back to your community. See if your local church or community groups is collecting food donation or check in with a nearby homeless shelter to see if they need volunteers. Pledge as much food or time as you can spare and rack up some karma point

6 – Go on a Walk

The scenery in autumn really can’t be beat. The sight of golden leaves, fields of corn and apple trees show nature at its idyllic best, sooo... why are you still sitting indoors? Grab a camera, or some paper and crayons if you're broke, and stroll round your neighbourhood

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7 – Read Up On Halloween Folklore

Halloween is a holiday with such a rich history, so take some time to learn it with Halloween: An American Holiday, and AmericanHistory. Read about the origin of the jack o’ lantern, laugh at old-timey Halloween divination techniques and generally just make like a Winchester brother by revelling in folklore

8 – Visit a Corn Maze

Because nothing screams autumn more than getting lost in a field of carefully sculpted corn. Split up into teams to see who has the best time, or sneak in a flask of whiskey to make things really interesting. Or terrifying. Or hilarious. Or sad. I guess it depends on what kind of drunk you are. Most corn maze places also offer hay rides, so if you’ve had enough of corn (if that’s possible) enjoy the world from on top a bale of hay

9 – Send Trick or Treat Care Packages

What better way to share the spirit of Halloween and refined sugar by sending trick or treat care packages to your friends. Raid the shop aisles for fun sized chocolate bars (although seriously, to live up to its name, a real fun sized chocolate bar would be the size of a brick) and gory gummy sweets. Wrap them in black and orange paper, and to make it extra cute include a pair of plastic vampire fangs, since your friend will probably need new teeth with all that sugar

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10 – Hold a Classic Horror Movie Marathon

Indulge your inner masochist and spend an evening watching the most nail-biting, butt-clenching, hair-raising movies you can possibly stomach you can possibly stomach. For real gore, I recommend  Hostel 1&2, the Final Destination series and any movie with zombies

11 – Buy Back-to-School Supplies

If like me you’re past the age of schooling but still the love the thrill of new stationery, screw society and treat yourself to some back-to-school supplies anyway. A fresh pad of Post-it notes, a new organiser and some kitschy crap scented pens can really do wonders your productivity

12 – Make S’mores

If you don’t have access to a roaring bonfire but still feel entitled to a little roasted marshmallow action, why not line a terracotta pot with tinfoil, fill with some lighted charcoal briquettes and place in a heatproof bowl for some tabletop s’mores? Lick melted marshmallow off your fingers, drink some beer and tell ghost stories under the autumn moon

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13 – Celebrate Guy Fawkes Night

There’s nothing quite like celebrating a thwarted mass murder attempt than with sparkles and a bonfire. Celebrate 5^th November in style by cooking up a big pot of chilli, wrapping up in a chunky scarf, cutting a slice of warm apple pie and watching fireworks explode in the sky

14 – Go Shopping for New Gloves

When the temperature does start to fall, avoid frostbite and the consequent harrowing surgery by buying a new, fancy-ass pair of gloves. If you can splash out, go crazy with a matching scarf and hat, or go even crazier with a MISMATCHING scarf and hat; the choice is yours, you crazy wild thing

15 – Embrace Fall Fashion

I hate summer fashion. As soon as the bikinis hit the stores, I count down the days until the temperature drops because it seems as though as the best clothes were made for the cold. Leather jackets, plaid shirts, thick black tights, chunky boots; clothes that keep you snuggly warm and looking badass at the same time

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16 – Make a Fall Wreath

Wreaths are not just confined for Christmas anymore, so break out the hot glue gun and dig deep into your pinecone collection. Hang it on your door to impress the neighbours, or use it as a table centrepiece if you’re paranoid about unruly pinecone thieves

17 – Brew Apple Cider

If you want to get in on the apple theme of autumn but you’re not one for pies or picking caramel off of your teeth, embrace the apple in its liquid (and slightly potent) form of cider. Invite people over for some home brewed cider and if you’re really looking to impress, peel a few apples and carve faces in them to make floating shrunken heads because as we all know, it’s not a party until there’s mutilated body parts in the punch

18 – Buy a Pie Dish

See if you can find an old pie dish at a boot fair or charity shop, or steal one from your parents kitchen and save yourself some money, and spend the afternoon experimenting with roll-up pastry. Whether you choose a sweet or savoury filling, make sure to add cute little pastry shapes on the top of the pie. After all, pastry is an art medium, way up there with crayons and glitter

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19 – Get a Library Card

Autumn weather may suck at times, so use this opportunity to indulge your inner bookworm. Sign up for a card at your local library and peruse the shelves for books to while away the hours with. For me, no autumn is complete without Stephen King and since he’s written so many damn books, you’re sure to find at least a few in any library. Carrie, The Shining and The Night Shift are my particular favourites

20 – Have a Halloween Craft Day

Halloween gives the best crafting opportunities (and Pinterest fodder) because you get to cover shit in red paint and fake cobwebs. Even if you’re not throwing a party, why not try your hand at a few pieces to dot around, because nothing brightens up a room like plastic skeletons. Watch Trick R Treat and get your hands dirty

21 – Play in a Pile of Leaves

When the leaves start to fall, spice up your daily commute and walk through piles of crunchy leaves, attempt to catch a falling leaf for a wish or if you’re feeling particularly reckless, go the whole hog and roll around like the free spirit you are. Just make sure you have a good excuse as to why you’re ten minutes late with leaf debris in your hair

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22 – Bake Sugar Skull Cookies

The Mexican Dias de Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a really beautiful Halloween celebration. People get together to remember loved ones by telling stories and hold picnic in graveyards to offer marigolds, tequila and sugar cookies to the deceased. To me that seems like a really nice way of honouring the life of someone, and not just because tequila’s involved. Bring a little of Day of the Dead into your celebrations by baking your own sugar skull cookies.  Although they can get a bit fiddly, they will look like the real deal and everyone will be super jealous at how awesome you are

23 – Plan a Thanksgiving Dinner

Even if you’re not American, why should you miss the chance for a delicious explosion of carbs? Head over to Martha Stewart for a little Thanksgiving inspiration and start planning entrees and table settings. Invite your nearest and dearest round for an evening of good food, booze and cheesy Hallmark moments

24 – Bake

Autumn and baking go hand in hand, after all winter is coming so it’s about time to start piling on that protective layer of insulation. Scroll through the Food Network website or pile through dusty cookbooks if you’re feeling retro. These recipes for pumpkin muffins, cinnamon rolls and pecan pie will fill your kitchen, and stomachs, with the spirit of autumn

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25 – Plan a Halloween Party

If you’re fortunate (and awesome) enough to be throwing your own Halloween party this year, keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming Halloween party plan feature. It’ll scare you sensible