Autumn Party Guide

As the weather gets colder and summer turns to fall, we look for more opportunities to get together with those we love. The holidays that have the most to do with family are during the coldest months of the year. These holidays offer us the opportunity to warm our souls by being with the people we care about.

Fall brings a lot of fun activities with it. Between Octoberfests, Harvest Festivals, and Holiday Bazaars, there are a million ways to get out and about. There are also a ton of opportunities to spend valuable time with friends. Here are some ideas for Autumn-themed parties and fun get-togethers that can be enjoyed by any group of people.

Apple and Pumpkin Themed Parties

The harvest of the fall months offers a cornucopia of activities. Choose apples, pumpkins, or another fall fruit or vegetable and plan a day themed completely around it. Gather friends and family together for an adventure into a local orchard or field to pick your own harvest. Countless hours of fun and outdoor excitement are possible before the party even begins. After you’ve had your fun in the brisk fall weather, head home to make use of your hard-earned spoils.

One of the best parts of autumn is the delicious desserts available. Pumpkin Pie, Apple turnovers: these treats are the epitome of autumn. Baking with friends only increases the fun – not only will you get to enjoy the delicious treats, but it creates memorable bonding time as well. Share your family recipes and tips. Food brings people together; you will not only have valuable time with your friends, but probably learn a few recipe secrets that have been passed down.

Baking with friends is a great way to breeze through making your holiday treats. If timed correctly, everyone can have a pie or batch of pumpkin brownies to take home to their families. Plan a baking get together before family visits so that you can share your bounty with them when they arrive.

If it is before Halloween, you can carve the pumpkins while waiting for items to bake. Pumpkin carving is a great way to show off your creativity, and should be enjoyed by all ages. Make sure you have extra pumpkins for second chances and do-overs. Plan out and give input on each other’s designs in order to make the most beautiful designs possible. Maybe even hold a competition – best pumpkin wins!

Leaf Crafting Day

Fall offers so many natural decorations that it’s not difficult to make your home an autumn wonderland. Set aside a day to collect leaves with a group of friends. Choose leaves for their color, texture, and shape. Then share your favorite leaf crafts with each other. Some options are:

•  Press leaves between the pages of heavy books to create bookmarks

•   Make leaf impressions on candles by dipping them in hot wax, applying the wax to candles and pulling the leaf off.

•   Put leaf prints on tablecloths and linens

•   Mat and Frame especially vibrant leaves to make unique wall hangings.

•   Create an Autumn Wreath

Bonfire Night

Bonfires are an autumn must. Gather close friends and family to enjoy the heat and humor of a nice warm fire. Stock up on s’more ingredients and hot chocolate for a night full of creating and re-living great memories.

Go the Extra Mile

Scented candles are great for establishing atmosphere both for their aroma and the ambiance they create. Pumpkin, Apple, Cinnamon, and Honey are all great scents to spread the autumn theme. Throw a warm-colored scarf over a lamp in order to play with the lighting mood even more.

After the event, be sure to send a thank-you to all of the attendees. Include a picture from the day, or an inside joke or memory you created. You can go old-fashioned and mail these out, or make use of technology and utilize an eCard. website. This way, your note will be sent instantaneously, and will not fade with age.

Fall offers a bounty of opportunities to spend quality time with close friends. The beauty of the changing seasons can be appreciated both indoors and outdoors, so take the time to plan activities that will fully explore the beauty of autumn and allow you to create wonderful new memories.

Stephanie is the Sr. Marketing Manager at Punchbowl, Inc. She blogs about celebrations, party planning, and free eCards.