An Autumnal Gathering

Happy Fall!

When people ask me what my favorite season is, I usually say that I don’t have one. I truly enjoy every season as it comes and goes. However, when fall comes around I am reminded how much I love the changing of the leaves, sweater weather, cozy days, warm drinks, and this list could go on and on so I will stop here. I also feel the most content during fall, and never find myself wishing it away. So, I think it is safe to say my favorite season is fall.

If you also love fall then this post is for you! And if fall isn’t your thing, then maybe this post can help make you enjoy it a little more. Keep reading for a fall themed party guide!

Decor

Decorating your space, I think, is one of the most important steps when it comes to party planning. How you decorate your space sets the ambience and determines how your guests will feel throughout the party. Here are some ways I would decorate to create a fall space that is cozy, welcoming, and inviting.

Pumpkins! Gourds!

Pumpkins are such an easy way to fill a space and instantly helps set the fall mood. You can mix it up with some orange and white, and then throw in some gourds with a little green and yellow, and you have already incorporated all of the typical fall colors. At the end of your party you could even send everyone home with a pumpkin or gourd of their choice!

Candles!

Candles are the move for any event no matter the celebration. They help create a warm atmosphere and set the mood. Along with this, they make your space smell good. There are so many different options for candles too. A wood wick candle is my personal favorite because I love a fireplace and the wood wick creates the illusion that a fire is going. You can also go with classic taper candles. These can elevate the atmosphere with their tall stature and still flame. There is plain white or you can go for colored candles like orange, red, green, etc. I have also seen where people have a taper candle painting night. You could do this and paint things like leaves or pumpkins on them. Taper candles are also fun because there are endless possibilities when it comes to holders. You can go with simple glass or wooden holders or find fun ways to display them. One of my roommates had the idea of placing them in a small pumpkin, and I think it turned out to be so fun for fall! So go get some candles! Endless possibilities and brings so much liveliness to a space!

Sunflowers!

Flowers are a way to liven up a space. Sunflowers are one of the obvious choices for fall, and yellow is such a warm and welcoming color. You can put some live ones in a vase or I’ve recently been seeing a trend of people drying flowers and then placing them in a vase. Whatever you feel fits your space best.

Orange garland!

Orange garland is such a fun and beautiful addition to a space. Thinly slice some oranges, pat them dry with a paper towel, and then place them on a baking tray. Preheat your oven to 200° F. Once preheated, place the oranges in for 3 to 4 hours. After they have dried you can get some twine and start working on your garland! Strand them across your mantle, above your window frames, or drape them in the middle of your dining table as a center piece. It is truly up to you!

Foooooood

Food brings a smile to everyone’s face, and what is a little fall party without some good food! Here are some fall food favorites I look forward to every year.

Pumpkin chili!

Just when I thought chili couldn’t get any better someone added pumpkin to it and changed the chili game forever. So good and very autumn, even better if you serve it in a pumpkin. Here is a recipe I have used before and enjoyed. Let me know if you try it!

Caramel apples!

Fun and so good! You can have them prepared once your guests arrive or make it an event and make them with your guests. Set up a station with the caramel and all kinds of fun toppings. You can do whole apples or individual slices. I find the slices to be easier to eat and more enjoyable. Also slices give you the opportunity to try multiple toppings!

Pumpkin shaped brie!

Brie is one of my favorite appetizers so I had to include this fun idea for pumpkin shaped brie. You just need brie, puff pastry, pumpkin butter (or whatever filling you like best), and twine. Here is a recipe.

Pumpkin cookies!

This is a dessert my family always makes when fall comes around. If there is an event happening during this season then you can count on the Finnie family bringing pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin cookie batter and brown butter icing, what is not to love? Here is the recipe we always use.

Things to do

Having some sort of activity or main event is always a good idea when hosting. This is a fun way to gather and can make the day or night more eventful. Here are some activities that revolve around the fall season.

Pumpkin carving/painting!

A classic fall activity and never gets old. If I get invited to a pumpkin carving or painting party, I will be there and am planning out my design weeks in advance. You can make it a contest and have different categories for winners. Who doesn’t like a little competition?

Movie night!

There are so many good fall or Halloween movies to watch in a group. Depending on the weather you could even host it outdoors. My Uncle Kerry always throws an outdoor movie in the fall and it’s so fun! He makes a fire, has apple cider over it and then has stuff for hotdogs and s’mores, obviously. If you want to hear of another fun event my Uncle Kerry does then check out this blog post. He’s pretty cool! Anyways, a movie night is a more chill activity if that is what you are going for.

Here are some of my favorite fall movies:

You’ve Got Mail

Good Will Hunting

Dead Poet’s Society

Harry Potter

Practical Magic

Hocus Pocus

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Game Night!

I am a huge fan of game nights. This is such a fun way to hang out with guests while still having room for conversation. Some games I enjoy are Dutch Blitz, Fish Bowl, UNO, Spoons, HeadsUp, Puzzles, Dominoes, and Bananagrams. You can even tailor some of these games to fit the fall theme, like playing Fish Bowl and HeadsUp with only things relating to fall and Halloween. Or completing a fall puzzle! 

And that’s all I have on everything fall! I hope you gathered some inspiration for a fall themed party, and if you try any of these ideas out please let me know!

I would love to hear some of your favorite movies, food items, or activities surrounding fall, so leave a comment below letting me know! You can check out some more fall inspiration on my Pinterest account here. And while you are at it, please check out my other socials and give them a follow!

If you missed my last blog post then I would love for you to go and give it a read.

Hope you are enjoying the fall season and I will see you in my next blog!

Cheers,

Lilly!