As the season changes during another year around the sun, the world begins to welcome windy weather, pumpkin spice, sweaters, and fall scented candles into our daily lives. During harsh times, it is important to welcome this seasonal joy into our lives. While sometimes overlooked, fall festivities are some of the best ways to find comfort during this season, from obscure new adventures to peaceful, relaxing activities. 

For instance, one of the ways people welcome autumn into their daily lives is through enjoying the time spent with family. It is easy to get swept away in work and responsibilities, but it is important to recognize that spending quality time during the season is an effective way of rekindling missed family time. As such, families can enjoy activities such as supporting their local churches by going to pumpkin patches, petting zoos, hayride adventures, small scale corn mazes, and even taking a trip out to the local farm to pick pumpkins and other squatch. For example, Trisha Gokhale, a junior in the IB program loves to spend time with her family during the fall season. Gokhale describes that with her family, she likes to “watch movies together, sometimes go to the pumpkin patch, and eat good holiday food together!” 

While these activities are more relaxing, another fall festivity that is still family oriented while catering to a more haunted experience is visiting the seasonal store- Spirit Halloween. From every obscure decoration one can think of, to hyper-realistic scary masks and comedic Halloween costumes, Spirit Halloween has it all! Parents and children can find their own unique Halloween costumes while exploring the depths of the store, surely to find an item of interest. 

Furthermore, the older children and teenagers may enjoy thrilling adventures during the fall season, such as visiting theme parks and haunted houses. Such theme parks include Universal Studio’s Halloween Horror Nights, Bush Garden’s Howl-O-Scream, Knott’s Scary Farm, and Cedar Point’s Halloweekend events. However, families can also visit the theme parks that host Halloween events that are made for a younger demographic, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Seaworld’s Spooktacular, and Hershey Park’s Halloween. While the thrilling events are open to families, it is generally a time where teenagers and young adults are able to explore their freedom and spend time with their friends. 

For the more peaceful and individual activities, some festivities include shopping for a new fall wardrobe or fall scents, enjoying a book in the chilly weather, or even finding fall-themed recipes to attempt making. When asked about her favorite individual fall activities, Gokhale describes that she hopes to “make pumpkin shaped and flavored bagels, watch Harry Potter movies while wearing a comfortable hoodie, and bake seasonal desserts.” Similarly, Arianna Flores, a junior, explains she enjoys watching Halloween movies to relax and unwind. Flores states she enjoys the “classics,” and tends to “watch the same movies every year. [She] watches Casper, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloween. Most years [she] watches Scream too.” Classic Halloween movies are a perfect way to spend personal time. Even more festivities include taking scenic drives, spending time in nature, or carving and painting pumpkins. 

The world seems to always quicken, especially during the busier months. As a result, these slower moments that occur during the fall season is an important time for self reflection. Take the scenic route, go explore every aisle of Spirit Halloween, or slow down and paint a pumpkin. Exploring new ways to self-reflect and finding peaceful activities is equally as important as spending time with friends and family, so enjoy it!