The Ultimate Fall Bucket List | 36 Ideas
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Spooky Spotify Sounds
Holiday music helps me get in the spooky spirit. I’ll make it easy and give you my personal playlist for Halloween prepping. Spooky Spotify playlist here.
Boo Your Neighbors
Every year my neighborhood would ‘Boo’ one another. Each household would cut out a ghost, tape it to a random neighbor’s door, ring the bell and run off before they were seen. Accompanying the ‘Boo’ would be a bucket or bag filled with goodies! You never knew who your ‘Boo’ was (which made it all the more fun as a kid). The goal was to ‘Boo’ the entire neighborhood before Halloween to ensure every family received a special holiday surprise. We always included a printed note with our ‘Boo’ to ensure everyone knew what it was and how to carry on the tradition. This is an example of the ‘Boo’ note we like to include in our baskets.
Ps- Including hand sanitizer in your basket this year is a great idea.
Pick Apples at an Orchard
We picked apples for the first time this year and I truly adored it. Maybe it was the fact that we’re living in Germany or maybe it was the slow, relaxed pace. Whatever it was, I loved the experience. Blog & vlog coming soon.
Bob for Apples
Or in Jasper’s case, hot dogs!
Try Seasonal Snacks
Germany has made me fall in love with seasonal menu items. They even have seasonal specific wine and beer that is only available during certain times of the year! Not sure where to find a seasonal snack? Check Target for a bag of pumpkin pie flavored Kit Kats (sounds terrible, but trust me on this). Other popular Fall snacks: apple cider, Halloween Oreos and pumpkin flavored anything.
Pass on the Tricks & Bake Some Treats
Anyone else hang-out by the warm oven while waiting on their creation? Maybe it’s just me, but basking by the toasty oven on a cold day makes me feel extra cozy. My favorite Fall items to bake: caramel or pumpkin cookies, zucchini bread, pumpkin spice pancakes, cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and this year we will be using our picked apples to attempt our first apple pie.
Cuddle for Pictures
Do these need to be professional? Absolutely not! Throw on some pajamas, grab a couple Halloween treats and get to posing. Maybe even buy some matching outfits. It’s up to you. Just have fun with it!
Monster Marathon
One of the best Howl-iday traditions: MONSTER MARATHON! Need a spooky show to watch? Try one of these.
Chili, Soup and Stew (oh my)
As soon as temperatures hit in the 50s, I broke out the instant pot for soup! Simple, delicious and (most importantly) warming on a cold day. Try my favorite Taco Soup Recipie.
Buy from the Farmer’s Market
Grab fruits and veggies for your Fall dishes at the market. Most of the time, this will be cheaper than the store. Our favorite Farmer’s Market in Austin: Texas Farmers Market at Lakeline Mall.
Attend a Fall Festival
This year will be a bit different depending on where you live. Luckily, we were able to experience our first Fall festival in Germany! Read our guide to the world’s largest pumpkin festival here.
Solve a Corn Maze
Mazes can be more frustrating than fun depending on your personality. I tend to get bored with them fairly quick. A great way to combat this? Visit with friends or family! Make it a competition to find the exit first. It’s only as fun as you are willing to make it. We had an absolute blast at Maislabyrinth Wallau. See our blog and vlog here.
Take a Hike
Germany is stunning in the Fall! What better way to enjoy the scenery than by taking a hike through the woods? The colorful leaves make for a picturesque backdrop on your adventure. I personally recommend visiting a few castles during the Fall season. The architecture really pops against the vivid red, orange and gold leaves. Watch our Burg Eltz Castle Vlog here.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
In elementary school, I went on my first trip to the pumpkin patch. There’s just something about picking your own pumpkin right from the vine. Some farms pre-pick the pumpkins for you, but trust me, it’s just as fun! If you’re lucky, your farm may offer seasonal snacks to munch on. In my hometown, Southern Belle Farm made the most delicious ice cream (Location: McDonough, Georgia). Living in Wiesbaden? I recommend picking out a pumpkin from Bauer Lipp. Blog & vlog coming soon.
Take a Hay Ride
If you’re already heading to the farm, why not take a hay ride? I’ve always enjoyed jumping on a hay ride and passing by the different farm animals as we circle the crops. This year, many farms may have their hay rides cancelled for social distancing. Check the websites in advance.
Carve a Pumpkin
Some of my fondest memories as a kid were picking out my yearly pumpkin designs. My Mom kept a collection of pumpkin carving books that I would hunt through for the perfect outline. Although I loved the end product, scooping out the pumpkin’s middle was always my least favorite part. I mean, who likes the feeling of sticky pumpkin guts? Honestly, my brother usually ended up carving the majority of the pumpkins. I was the absolute worst at carving pumpkins and he made sure to let me know it by showing off his skills.
Pick out a Costume
My personal favorite costumes are punny or matching. Last year I dressed Jasper up as Mike from Monsters, Inc. and matched him with a Sulley onesie. It was quick, easy and downright adorable. Don’t feel like buying a costume this year? Throw on your work clothes and make your pet a cute matching outfit (I’m a nurse and dressed Jasper as dog-tor dog for a paw-ty last year).
Enjoy the Leaves
Rake some leaves and jump in the pile. Enjoy the moment! Fair warning though, you’ll be pretty itchy after this activity. I’d stick to trying this at home. Definitely plan on taking a shower afterwards.
Plan a Fall OOTD
Break out the sweats and sweaters, it’s autumn! As a service dog handler, I love to plan matching outfits with Jasper. My husband, of course, enjoys being apart of the fun too. Make sure to incorporate a matching mask for this year!
Autumn Picnic
Germany’s Fall foliage inspired this idea. Just imagine: laying back on a plaid blanket as vibrant leaves fall all around you. Perfect right? Add in a seasonal delicacy, such as squash soup, to have that cozy Fall feeling. Personally, I find disassembled charcuterie boards to be the easiest to pack. Just grab some meat, cheese, nuts and fruit. Don’t want to carry a huge basket around? Our favorite picnic find is this stackable bento box. It is the size of a thermos and has seven compartments (plus it comes with utensils and a travel bag). Purchase your bento thermos here.
Light a Candle
Anyone else stalk Bath and Body Works until they release their Fall candles? Well, you should. My favorites, pumpkin pecan waffle and sweater weather, they sell out every year!
Pumpkin Everything
I’m not one for pumpkin spice lattes, but pumpkin chili? That’s my jam. If you get the chance, I highly recommend trying candied pumpkin seeds or pumpkin prosecco. Both are divine.
Visit a Winery
This has been on our bucket list since moving to Europe. Our local winery produces various wines throughout the year, but the Winter and Fall wines are highly sought after. We plan to take a trip to Rüdesheim am Rhein in October to taste the Autumn specials. Located in the USA? Google a winery in your state! Our favorite in Georgia is Chateau Elan Winery & Resort.
Get Cozy by the Fire
There are so many ways to get cozy by the fire. Camping during Fall is something I’ve always wanted to do, but never had the chance. I hope to change this while living in Europe! If you don’t feel like leaving home, throw a few logs in the fireplace and declare cuddle time with your pets. Currently, we live in an apartment that lacks a fireplace. My makeshift solution? Lighting some candles and playing fireplace videos on repeat (the sound of crackling wood is very relaxing while working on the blog).
Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
Volunteering has been a holiday tradition for my husband and I since we first started dating. Soup kitchens need all the volunteers they can get! Google the phrase ‘homeless shelter volunteer’ or ‘soup kitchen volunteer’ with your city name to easily locate opportunities in your area. Often times local religious organizations will also offer meals for free during this time of year. If you are located in the USA and require resources to feed your family: click this link to locate a food bank near you.
Get Spooked at a Haunted House
Many haunted houses will be open this year, but with additional restrictions for hygiene and social distancing. If you’re in Georgia this Fall, I recommend visiting Netherworld in Stone Mountain. It has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top haunted houses in America (Rated number one in 2017 by Hauntworld). I mean, the staff even worked on The Walking Dead and their props were used in Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2. Not to mention, you may recognize their haunt from scenes in Zombieland. Check out Netherworld here.
Game Night with Friends
If you plan for any gatherings this year, be sure to keep safety in mind. Maintain your distance, sanitize frequently, don’t share drinks and wear masks when possible. It’s completely possible to have fun and uphold safety regulations.
Spot a Scarecrow
Every year, my hometown (McDonough, Georgia) has a scarecrow competition in the square. Various businesses, organizations and afterschool programs create scarecrow displays to compete for first place. Spotting scarecrows is pretty easy in my hometown, but can you spot one where you live?
Read a Ghost Story
Have you ever read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? It is a book compiled of creepy short stories that will have you spooked. My third grade teach read it to us every day leading up to Halloween. Needless to say, it is one of my favorite short story books. Don’t feel like reading? There’s a movie too! Purchase the book here.
Take a Scenic Drive
Road trips are our preferred method of travel as a family. Why? The views. There is nothing better than watching the landscape change as you drive cross-country. Our favorite spot to road trip in the USA for Fall: The six New England States (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut). The landscape is next level during Fall.
Have a Spooktacular Soak
Is it just me or does a Halloween themed bath sound amazing? Turn on your favorite spooky Spotify playlist, dim the lights, enjoy your favorite Fall candle and soak in a luscious bath bomb. Check out my favorite Etsy shop for Halloween themed bath bombs.
Funky Spa Day
Since you’re already enjoying a spooky soak, why not take it to the next level and add in a face mask? Not just any face mask, but themed face masks! I bought these animal sheet masks for a girl’s night and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Purchase a pack of 6 for less than $10.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Excuse me while I sulk about Oktoberfest being cancelled in Germany for 2020. Alas, we made the most of it and found a way to celebrate from home! I bough my first dirndl and Kenny is on the hunt for a lederhosen (Jasper even has his own). We tried traditional Oktoberfest dishes from our local markets and even cooked a few ourselves!
Visit a Sunflower Field
Depending on where you live, this opportunity may have already passed. In our area of Germany, Sunflower fields usually begin popping up early August and last through mid September. If you live near Hainerburg, there are a few sunflower fields right off post. Exit any of the pedestrian gates at the end of August and walk towards the grassy fields. You’re bound to run into at least one patch of sunflowers.
Tailgate
We’ll have to pass on tailgating this year, but I’ve always wanted try. Add it to your 2021 bucket list! I hear it’s a good time.
Complete a Spooky Workout
I love when workouts have a theme or fun music. YouTube is filled with various workouts, but this It themed one stuck out to me. It’s just under 5 minutes and the instructor is quite comical. Click here to give the workout a try.
What’s on your bucket list for Fall?
