Fall: the season of cozy sweaters, leaves on the ground, pumpkins, comfort food, and some really beautiful interior decorating. It is my favorite season by far, especially once the hot and humid Virginia weather is replaced by cooler air and falling leaves. It is the season where practically everything that you buy has the words "pumpkin" or "spice" in it and every store is covered in the color orange. Most importantly, fall is a season of thankfulness, comfort, and celebrating those closest to you. Every fall, there are seven activities that really help to set the mood for the rest of the season and I encourage you all to do the same.

1. Get A Pumpkin

Photo by Casey Clarke

Whether it is locally grown and sold at a produce stand or you get it from a crate at Harris Teeter, pumpkins are a fall necessity! Keep one in its raw beauty for September decorations, carve one into a jack-o-lantern for a fun Halloween decoration, and use one to make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving! The possibilities are endless.

2. Go Apple Picking

Photo from boatguy on pixbay.com

One of the biggest fall staples is an apple. They can be put in a pie, dunked in caramel, made into cider, or just eaten as a whole, and there are many more ways to prepare the fall fruit. Instead of just getting the apples from a supermarket, try to pick them from a local apple orchard! It will make the whole process of getting the fruit much more enjoyable.

3. Make or Buy a Halloween Costume

Photo by Casey Clarke

Halloween is one of the best holidays because it gives you the option to become someone (or something) completely different for one day every year, and what better way to do that then to have a Halloween costume. Some of the cutest and most genius ones are homemade, but you can also find some really amazing costumes from stores like Spirit Halloween. No matter if you buy or make your costume this year, it is sure to lead to a frightfully amazing night.

4. Watch a Halloween Movie

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Earlier this month, the TV channel Freeform announced that they would be changing from their usual 13 Nights of Halloween event to a 30 Nights of Halloween event. This just goes to show that there are a ton of Halloween movies available! Classics like Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas are always fun to watch for an October movie night. If you want one that is a bit less family-friendly, horror movies are a must. Watch a more modern movie like The Conjuring or opt for an older classic like The Exorcist. Once you choose a movie, make some popcorn, snuggle on your couch (preferably next to a dog), and enjoy an awesome movie.

5. Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Photo by Casey Clarke

Although it was actually released in August this year, there is one fall drink that is superior to all others: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL for short) obtained a cult-like following. Every fall, people dressed in their best sweaters, blanket scarves, and bean boots flock to the nearest Starbucks for this legendary latte. The coffee with sweet notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, and other spices is so inviting on a cold, windy day while watching the leaves gently float to the ground. To some, including myself, it would not be fall without having one of these drinks.

6. Watch a Football Game

Photo by Casey Clarke

What better way to spend a weekend than watching a football game? When the weather gets cold, it is time to pack into a stadium and cheer on your favorite team. If you are not a huge football fan, now is the perfect time to start, especially since the 'Hoos are doing so well this season (and VT was at the center of one of the biggest college football upsets in decades). If anything, football games are a great excuse to go out with friends, eat some overpriced stadium food, and sing the Good Old Song.

7. Celebrate With Your Friends and Family

Photo by Barbara Clarke

More than anything, fall is about spending time with your friends and family. Go to fall events, like football games and Halloween parties, with your friends to make some amazing memories and form even stronger bonds with them. Try to spend fall break and Thanksgiving with your family. And, at some point in the season, spend some time to reflect on who you are thankful for and make it known to that person that you are blessed to have them in your life.