By SHAGUFTA HAQUE – As the summer leaves change from crisp green to burnt orange, a new season falls upon us. The time has come for flannel shirts, turtlenecks, cold weather boots, pumpkin drinks, candles, and spending quality time with family and friends.

When balancing school, work, sports, and a social life gets too much to handle, it is important to take a break and enjoy the ventures fall brings with it. Here are five activities you can do to live fall to the fullest.

1. Socially distanced hangouts –

The times are different this year but the stress caused by work and school remains unchanged. Spending time with family or friends is a healthy escape from the busy life most of us have. 

Sophomore Luca Cosentino described his idea of a relaxed get-together during a pandemic fall, “Gather with friends, socially distanced and with masks on, of course, walking around town with them while enjoying our pumpkin spice lattes, and having a good time overall.”

Another great way to have a blast is to go to the drive-in theaters, waving at your friends, and having a fun, safe gathering.

2. Movies – 

According to Nathan Metzger, “watching horror movies during the spooky season” is one of “the best things about fall.” Speaking of, a few good horror movies to keep you up all night are Chucky, Insidious, and The Conjuring. Some other genres include great movies like Knives Out, Joker, You’ve Got Mail, Me Before You, and many more.

A suggestion: organize a movie night for your family to watch with you, or arrange a virtual cinema with friends. Pandemic or no pandemic, fall or no fall, you can never go wrong with movies. 

3. Decor – 

Fall decorations are everywhere starting from wreaths to pillowcases and obviously, pumpkins. A fun way to enjoy this season both at home and outside is by getting yourself busy with decorations.

Indulge in the world of DIY wreaths where you can customize them, make them all sorts of colors, and put pines or leaves on them. Create photo frames inspired by fall by painting leaves or drawing pumpkins on them, and maybe even gifting them to people.

4. Sweaters –

Sweaters are human hugs in the form of clothes, they can be worn anywhere and everywhere. Anything to do with sweaters, do it this fall. Organize the ones you have, knit some, buy a couple more, and don’t forget to give a few away as well.

5. Pumpkins – 

If you don’t carve or decorate pumpkins, do you really enjoy fall?

Buy mini pumpkins and have someone hide them in different places in your house, backyard, or a field. Get your friends and family to see who finds the most pumpkins. It’s the fall version of egg-hunting.

If that’s not the best idea for you, compete in a pumpkin carving contest to see who does the best job or does it the quickest.

To conclude, senior Alexis Single lists her favorite things to do in fall: “During the fall, I wear a lot of sweaters, and participate in a lot of outdoor activities with friends. In terms of food, I eat and drink a lot of cinnamon and pumpkin-related things. In addition to this, I spend more money on candles during fall than I do in any other season.”

Just like Alexis, let’s all fall in love with this season!

[Photo courtesy of Jenna Conrad]

Photo caption: Junior Jenna Conrad arranges the outdoor decor as fall approaches.