Are You Ready?
Are you getting ready for the fall? The season is almost upon us and it’s giving me new life. I know a lot of people are not ready to leave summer behind. The warm weather, pool days, and lots of sun is hard to let go of. Texas summers are no joke though. The heat is a little much for me, and I may be one of the few but I like the earlier evenings. I think it is cozy and helps me get better sleep and get up in the morning along with my daughter. Whenever fall rolls around I always think – bring on the fall weather, cozy vibes, and the excitement that the crisp new air brings with it!
Fall Is My Season
I can’t be the only one who lives for the fall. It is by far my favorite season. The cooler temperatures (without being too cold), the warm drinks, cuddling in blankets and movie watching weather, and the excitement in the air with the hustle and bustle of soon approaching holidays are everything. I LOVE IT!
Just because I love fall doesn’t mean that I don’t still do things to get amped up for the seasonal switch up. There’s a few things I do every year to make fall a noticeable seasonal change in my home, especially since having my daughter. Kids make new months, new seasons, and holidays so much fun and nostalgically exciting.
The Fall List
Each year, when fall rolls around, I make a few adjustments to our home. I find that switching things up that affect each of the senses does wonders for feeling all the fall feels. Have you ever noticed how smelling a fall candle, or seeing fleece blankets, or the pumpkins popping up in the store feels exciting? It can bring nostalgic memories, eagerness for the reset a new season brings, or just relief for cooler temperatures ;).
Let’s break down what I focus on each year when it comes to the new fall season and the five senses. You might find some inspiration for your home and life too!
Sight:
One of the simplest switch-ups in our home is bringing out a few decorative fall-specific pieces. I am not talking about Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations, yet. Instead, it is nice to have small items around the home to spice up little corners of the house to make it feel just a little cozier. Switching out airy blankets for warmer and more autumnal colored fabrics, setting out candles that are pumpkin spice and everything nice, and adding playful fall foliage such as fall-toned leaves or a floral bouquet with oranges and yellows can really set the tone for the home. If you have seasonal specific doormats or rugs, bedding that is for cooler weather, or even a fall themed wreath for the front door these things can make the whole home feel a little more special for this time of year.
Smell:
In keeping with the candles mentioned above, smell can really transport your brain into a whole other world. That olfactory sense is one of the most powerful. Whether its nostalgic memories or just simply a smell that makes you think of the coziest visual ever like finding a cozy corner with a comfy blanket, good book, and cup of coffee, smell can truly change your whole mindset. Everyone enjoys a lovely smelling home, but matching it to the season, especially the fall and winter scents is something I look forward to each year because the scents are just oh so good!
Taste:
Taste is a big one for me for this time of year. Bring on the spices and warm foods and beverages. Comfort in a cup or bowl is the best thing during this seasonal change. Making spiced baked goods, warm breads, cinnamon everything (and pumpkin if that’s your thing), chilis, soups, and stews is the epitome of the fall season and the cooler weather blowing in. This is the time for all of those craved, filling, and warmth-filled foods.
Touch:
This goes with the sight category but extends beyond just your home. Those comfy blankets, warmer bedding, and cozy throw pillows are not just all that goes with the fall textiles. You can also dress in fall forward clothing. In Texas, this can take some time, but eventually the boots, scarves, and cardigans or jackets can finally come out of storage. Sweater dresses and long-sleeves, sweatshirts, and leggings all get to be worn warm and comfortably. Fleece, wool, velvet, and all of those soft and heavy fabrics will bring out the ultra cozy touch for the season. Fabrics are not just the only thing effecting touch though. Think about that crisp cool wind blowing on your skin and hair when you step outside. It is like taking a true breath of fresh air after a humid and hot summer (at least in Texas!).
Hearing:
Hearing is kind of a funny category to think about, but the things we hear, just like with smell, can really affect our mindset and make seasons feel completely different from one another. For instance, the sounds of kids screaming at a pool, the smell of sunscreen, and the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on a grill can create the summer sensations. The fall equivalent of smell is pretty easy but what about sounds? My personal favorite sounds in my home are flickering candles, especially if you can find ones that have the wooden wicks that crackle, wood burning from a warm and cozy fire in your fireplace, and keeping the windows open and hearing the leaves blowing in the wind or crunching under foot. Even the hustle and bustle in the kitchen is exciting and nostalgic for me.
If you are out and about listen to the chatter of the people as they shop for holiday feasts or gifts. You know fall is really here when you can hear the rustle of their coats and jackets as they do their shopping! All those little sounds we sometimes so easily forget about can be the soundtrack to our fall season.
What Else Creates Fall in a Home?
You’ve got the décor, the fall closet switch-up, and the spiced candles lit, but is that it for the fall updates? Not at all! Now comes the time to create lasting memories throughout the season. Fall is different for everyone. Some people prefer to stay cozy at home, while others want to go out and have adventures. Those adventures can look like corn mazes and pumpkin patches all the way to spooky haunted houses and horror movies. There is no right or wrong way to embrace the fall spirit other than making sure you enjoy and soak up every wonderful moment of it. A good way to make sure you do all the things you want to do this fall season is to create a bucket list.
The 2025 Fall Bucket List
I thought it would be fun to compile my fall bucket list here and to leave a little inspiration and a matching form for you to download for free so that you can do the same. As I said before, since having our daughter, my husband and I really value family time. We enjoy finding things to do with our daughter that will give her memories she can look back on fondly. Maybe we can create traditions she can even carry into doing with her future family one day.
There are a few little things that are listed just for me and my husband to do. For instance, watching a scary movie is just for us adults during the spooky part of the season, but the majority of the things on my bucket list this year center around our daughter. It may sound crazy, but I have never carved a pumpkin, last year was my first year going to a pumpkin patch, and it’s been a tradition within my family as I grew up to make my mom’s pumpkin cake every year. A little bit of new and a little bit of tradition make up my bucket list this year. I am excited to share the already made traditions with my daughter and husband and to start new ones as a family too. Check out my full bucket list below!
Creating Your Bucket List
You can download a free identical blank Fall Bucket List to fill out here. As a fun idea, and to reuse the bucket list every fall for years to come you can place it in a frame and use an erasable marker to write in the date, the list items, and check the boxes. You can also fill out the document on your computer like I did in the example, and then just use the marker to check off the boxes as you complete your list. If you find a cute fall-themed frame it can act as seasonal décor and is an easy activity your child can participate in (and will love to do!).
If you don’t want to frame the list then it’s easy to stick on your fridge, pop into your purse so that it’s on the go with you and your family, or just keep it on your computer or phone. I feel excited just looking at the list of fun things to look forward to this fall season and that is my hope for you too. Fall is a time to feel refreshed and renewed as the crisp air gives you a bit of pep in your step. Pumpkins, spice, and everything nice is just around the corner so embrace it and enjoy it — especially with your family!
Don’t forget to check out my other free downloadable item which is also perfect for the fall. I have a cleaning checklist that keeps your home clean all year long and it highlights some cleaning ideas specific to the changes in seasons – including fall, of course. You can find it on my homepage here or throughout the blog website.
From my home in Texas to yours wherever you are – Happy Fall Y’all!
