Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Things To Do This Fall: 8 Cozy Family Fall Traditions to Start This Autumn Season
13
items There’s something magical about autumn. The air turns crisp, leaves transform into brilliant shades of gold and crimson, and everyday moments seem a little cozier. It's a season that naturally invites us to slow down, gather with the people we love, ...
Nothing says "welcome to fall" quite like a beautifully decorated front porch or entryway. Whether your style leans farmhouse, modern, or classic, the secret is layering different textures, varying heights, and sticking with a cohesive color palette....
1. Create a Cozy Fall Front Porch or Entryway (Getting in the Mood)
As the temperatures drop, there's nothing better than slipping into cozy pajamas, making popcorn, and gathering under blankets for a family movie night. Choose one movie for each weekend in October: (a few of my favorites) -It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) Linus waits all night in the pumpkin patch for a magical holiday figure to appear. Homeward Bound: -The Incredible Journey (1993) Two dogs and a cat brave the rugged autumn wilderness to find their way ba... Light a fall-scented soy-wax candle, brew hot chocolate or apple cider, and let everyone vote on snacks to make movie night something everyone anticipates each week.
2. Make October Movie Nights a Weekly Tradition ...
Autumn offers some of the year's most stunning natural backdrops. Instead of waiting for holiday cards, turn a fall photoshoot into an annual family tradition. Some of my most favorite family photos are from our fall photoshoots! Coordinate outfits r...
3. Capture Beautiful Fall Family Photos
Some of the best craft supplies are already waiting outside. After a family nature walk, collect colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, and small twigs to create seasonal decorations that can be displayed all autumn long. Easy projects include: -Leaf rubbings and pressed leaf art: Collect colorful fallen leaves, place paper over them, and rub with the side of a crayon to capture intricate textures. -Pinecone and acorn garlands: Gather outdoor finds, clean them, and tie them onto twine with ... -Rustic twig stars: Bind small twigs together with twine or yarn at the intersecting points to create rustic, star-shaped wall or window hangings. -Mason jar leaf votives: Mod Podge faux or real pressed autumn leaves onto the outside of glass mason j... These projects are inexpensive, fun for all ages, and encourage everyone to spend time outdoors before winter arrives.
4. Make Nature-Inspired Fall Crafts Together (Not Just for Kids) =)
While holiday cards are wonderful, a handwritten fall letter feels even more personal. (and takes a little bit of pressure off of the busy winter season letters) Take an afternoon to write a few thoughtful notes to grandparents, friends, or relatives... -Favorite memories from the year -Funny family moments -Milestones and accomplishments -Lessons learned -Things you're grateful for Invite each family member to contribute a short paragraph or even a drawing. Years from now, these letters become treasured keepsakes that capture a snapshot of family life.
5. Write Fall Family Letters (Makes Loved-Ones Feel, "you were worth my time")
Fall weather is perfect for outdoor adventures that don't require much planning. Some of my family favorites include: -Apple picking at a local orchard -Visiting a pumpkin patch -Weekly evening nature walks -Backyard bonfires with s'mores and storytelling The goal isn't to fill every weekend with activities—it's simply to enjoy the season before colder weather settles in.
6. Spend More Time Outside Together (Fall Picnic Anyone?)
Few things make a home feel cozier than the aroma of cinnamon, apples, and pumpkin baking in the oven. Two incredibly easy recipes have become my family favorites because they require minimal ingredients and almost no cleanup. 2-Ingredient Quick Pumpkin Cookies Mix together: 1 can pure pumpkin purée 1 box spice cake mix Scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 12-15 minutes. The pumpkin replaces the eggs, oil, and butter, creating soft, cake-l... 3-Ingredient Apple Spice Muffins Combine: 1 box spice cake mix 12 ounces ginger ale or apple cider 1 cup finely chopped apples Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until golden. The carbonation helps create incredibly light, fluffy muffins without needing...
7. Bake Simple Fall Treats (Very Simple)
Some of the best family memories happen around the dinner table. Two easy meals perfect for busy fall evenings include: - Creamy Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup: Using pre-cut butternut squash saves time while the slow cooker does nearly all the work. Finish with a splash of heavy cream (or coconut milk) and blend until silky smooth for restaurant-quality soup with minimal effort. The Shortcut: Buy pre-peeled, pre-cubed butternut squash from the produce aisle or use frozen cubes to completely skip the hardest part of the prep. The Ingredients: Dump 4 cups of butternut squash cubes, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 3 cups of vegetable broth, and a pinch of nutmeg and salt into your slow cooker. The Method: Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (or high for 3 to 4 hours) until the squash is completely tender. Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or coconut milk, then use an immersion blender right in the pot until totally smooth. Salt and pepper to taste... - 30-Minute Turkey Pumpkin Chili: Adding canned pumpkin to chili creates an incredibly rich texture while balancing the acidity of tomatoes. Combined with turkey, beans, and warm spices, it's a hearty meal that's ready in about half an hour. The Shortcut: Canned pumpkin purée adds i...
8. Cook Autumn-Inspired Comfort Foods That Bring Everyone to the Table
Looking for more cozy, screen-free ways to make lasting memories with your family this season? Create your own or enjoy mine, packed with simple, budget-friendly autumn traditions—from jumping in leaf piles to hot cocoa bars and neighborhood flashlig... Day 1: Write out your family fall bucket list on a poster or dry erase board. Day 2: Visit a local orchard to go apple picking. Day 3: Bake a fresh homemade apple pie or apple crisp together. Day 4: Declare a "Soup Sunday" and simmer a big pot of so...
**Bonus: Create a Fall Bucket List
For Your Home, here are some gentle autumn reset ideas to help you flow easily into this beautiful season: - DECLUTTER one small space: Pick a single drawer, countertop, or corner to clear out so your living environment feels calm and spacious. - O...
Gentle Fall Resets for Your Home
Gentle fall reset ideas for your body: - BREW your favorite tea: Swap out iced summer drinks for a warm mug of tea to soothe your digestive system and provide immediate comfort. - PUT on a soft sweater: Wrap yourself in cozy physical textures to create a literal layer of warmth and secu... -TRY a new soup recipe: Nourish yourself from the inside out with slow-simmered, easily digestible ingredients. - GO for a crisp evening walk through some fallen leaves: Clear your lungs and get your blood moving in the fresh, cool evening air. - ...
Gentle Fall Resets for Your Body
Gentle reset ideas for your mind: - MAKE a mini picture scrapbook with your favorite summer highlights: Look back at your top moments to put those happy memories "to bed" and file the season away. - JOURNAL about one thing you're ready to leave beh... -READ a few pages of a comforting book before bed: Replace late-night phone scrolling with a gentle story to ease your brain into a deep sleep cycle.
Gentle Fall Resets for Your Mind
Gentle reset ideas for your soul: - GET your pet a new sweater: Bring a little bit of fun and joy into your daily routine by treating your furry companion to something cozy. - PRESS a few colorful leaves in a book: Slow down enough to notice the sm...
Gentle Fall Resets for Your Soul