With the chilly nights and changing leaves, October ushers in a commencement of annual traditions that start with fall and continue on through the holidays. For me, it’s definitely one of my favorite times of year!
The fall traditions often begin with the first cold snap serving as a reminder to make some hot mulled apple cider and have a cider donut.
Next, I find myself tempted to keep bringing home more pumpkins and mums every time I see them! Then it comes time to paint or carve the pumpkins.
By that point, the leaves have often changed to gorgeous hues of yellow, orange and red.
Every year, we dip some leaves in hot wax to preserve them and use them as a decoration. They last all through the season and many will hold on to their color for years! In fact, I still have some waxed leaves my husband gave me on our first date 19 years ago!
Earlier this week, we hosted a fun harvest party and did (almost) all our favorite fall traditions, including:
- Painting/carving pumpkins
- Dipping leaves in wax
- Making caramel apples
- Pressing fresh apple cider
- Sipping hot mulled apple cider
- Eating chili and cornbread
- Munching on candy corn
- Sitting around the fire
It turned an otherwise rainy day into a cozy, fun-filled afternoon.
In the past, we’ve incorporated more games into our harvest parties such as “bobbing” for apples (seeing who can pick it up by the stem first with their teeth), popcorn pong and crab walking relay races while carrying a gourd one your belly. Trust me, these games were hilarious and a lot of fun!
If you want to host your own harvest party, swing by the orchard to find the supplies you need! We have pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, apples, cider and mulling spices, apple cider donuts and more!