Five Ways to Get Those Fall Feels (when you live in a desert!)

It’s no secret that I love all things fall. The day pumpkin spice comes out at Starbucks is the day I start celebrating the season. It’s my favorite season, so of course I want to celebrate it as long as I can! I dream of living in Vermont or Connecticut (Stars Hollow, anyone?) where fall is beautifully shown through the autumn trees. But the reality is this: I live in a desert and we don’t have trees. Ha, kidding. But I have found a few ways that help with the fall season here in Arizona, and it can be applied to almost anywhere that is likely to be warm when you’re seeking those fall feels.

First off, turn your AC way down, cozy up in a sweatshirt, and light that pumpkin candle. Okay, I’m not being 100% serious…or am I? But let’s take a look at a few more realistic ideas that won’t make your electric bill go up.

1. Decorate your house. It might seem like a simple one, but y’all…every time I walk into my house right now, I get all the fall feels. My husband and I are borderline minimalist, and we are now choosing to decorate minimal for each season as well. But even with fewer decorations, the touches of fall throughout our space really helps bring that fall feeling into the air. Even when it’s over 100 outside!

2. Read a fall book. There is nothing like a good novel to take you to a different time and place. Choose a book that is set in the fall season, and you’ll be sure to get those fall feels quickly.

3. Take a weekend trip somewhere a little cooler. This can be pricey, but not if done wisely. Last year, my husband and I drove 3 hours North and spent the weekend in Sedona & Flagstaff, Arizona. We stayed in a hotel on a creek and it was rainy and chilly all weekend long. The leaves had just started changing and the air was crisp. It was the perfect little Autumn getaway, a nice escape from the desert heat. It certainly gave us all the fall feels.

4. Make pumpkin spice a regular part of your diet. If you know me at all, you know I can’t write a blog post on fall without mentioning the importance of pumpkin spice. And if pumpkin isn’t your thing, go for the apple cider & apple crisp! I love baking in the fall more than any other time of year. So spending time in the kitchen, cooking with those ingredients, gives me that fall feeling.

5. Have a fall wreath party with all sorts of fall foods. I’ve actually done this before, and it was so fun. We each bought our own wreath makings and then got together to work on them. Of course, my theme for the night was pumpkins. I even made a pumpkin spice puppy chow! But any type of fall themed party is a great way to welcome the season, even if it doesn’t quite feel like it outside.

I’ve had several friends tell me they just can’t celebrate fall until it gets a little cooler outside. But if I waited for that here, I might miss the entire season! Just because the outside temperature doesn’t reflect fall doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate it in our hearts & homes. 🍁

Happy fall, y’all! What would you add to the above list?