Embracing the Joy of Fall and Spooky Season in 7 Simple Ways

The air is crisp, the scent of pumpkin is everywhere, and my sweaters are finally getting their moment to shine. Fall has arrived — and with it comes that magical mix of cozy and spooky we wait all year for.

And before you roll your eyes at another fall-loving blog post, let me just say - it’s not just the taste of a pumpkin spice latte that has people obsessed with this season; there’s something about autumn that calls us to slow down, light a candle, and actually enjoy being home. And that’s what we’re embracing here!

The Danish have a word for this: hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). It’s all about finding comfort, warmth, and contentment in life’s simple pleasures — soft blankets, good books, warm drinks, and the company of people you love. And honestly, there’s no better season to practice it than fall.

Here are seven easy, delightful ways to embrace the joy of fall and spooky season — no Pinterest perfection required.

1. Read Something Autumnal (or a Little Spooky)

There’s just something about reading in the fall — the sound of pages turning as rain hits the window, the faint scent of cinnamon tea nearby. Whether you’re going for witchy, romantic, or just plain cozy, here are a few books that pair perfectly with fuzzy socks and a flickering candle (all of which I’ve read and can vouch for, and most of which are Goodreads Winners):

• Heartless Hunter – A rebel witch falls in love with her enemy while trying to save other witches from being purged. Historical, romantic, and haunting in the best way. Get it on Amazon
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches – Less spooky, more cozy. A heartfelt witch story wrapped up with warmth and love. Get it on Amazon
• Starling House – A haunted house, a cursed town, and one girl who might be the key to saving it. Dark and addictive. Get it on Amazon
• The Pumpkin Spice Café – Think Gilmore Girls with ALL the small-town charm. No witches, just coffee, love, and good vibes. Get it on Amazon
• Daisy Darker – A murder, a spooky house, and an ending that’ll have you texting your book club in all caps. Get it on Amazon

Pick one, light that candle, and get lost in another world for a while.

2. Light a Candle, Grab a Notebook, and Journal It Out

Fall is the perfect season to start journaling — whether you’re capturing gratitude, creative ideas, or just venting about how early it gets dark now.

You could:

• Write a daily gratitude list (big or small - “the smell of soup simmering” totally counts).
• Draft a spooky short story just for fun (how often do we flex that creative brain muscle, anyways?!).
• Simply journal about your days - the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Writing helps you slow down and be present. And if you need a fresh start, I’ve got plenty of pretty new notebooks and pens to help you begin your hygge journaling habit: Shop Notebooks →

3. Add a New Afternoon Drink to Your Routine

We all need something to look forward to during the 3 p.m. slump. Enter: the cozy fall beverage lineup (Starbucks run not required).

Try one of these:

• Chai Tea Latte – Spicy, creamy, and basically autumn in a mug. Here’s an easy recipe.
• Vanilla Bean Tea – Simple, soothing, and perfect with frothed milk.
• Pumpkin Spice Latte – Obviously. Make it at home — it’s easier than you think!

Bonus points for drinking it under a blanket. Which reminds me…

4. Buy a New Blanket (Maybe Just for You)

This one’s non-negotiable. A soft, cozy blanket is basically a requirement for surviving fall and winter. My current favorite is the pinky throw blanket from Keiki Co. — warm, soft, and the perfect amount of weight (like a hug, but better).

Trust me, once you wrap yourself in it, you’ll understand why I treat mine like a family heirloom.

5. Embrace Fall Foods (Without Going Full Pioneer Woman)

If fall had a flavor, it would definitely be soup. A big pot of chili, beef stew, or chicken and wild rice is cozy, affordable, and practically cooks itself. Double the batch and freeze half for an easy future dinner.

Pro tip: When reheating frozen soup, add a splash of water to the pot first, cover, and let it melt on low. Once it’s simmering, re-season as needed and enjoy.

And listen — you don’t have to make everything from scratch. Store-bought pumpkin pie counts; your kids will never know the difference!

6. Turn Friday Night Into a Cozy Movie Night

Forget the crowds and sticky theater floors — create your own home theater experience instead. Affordable projectors make it easy to turn any blank wall (or sheet!) into movie magic.

Whip up some popcorn, heat up a mug of cider, and cue one of these classics:

For the whole family:
Hocus Pocus, Coco, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Little Women, Remember the Titans

For the adults:
Practical Magic, Dead Poets Society, Autumn in New York, October Sky

Set the mood, dim the lights, and enjoy the cozy nostalgia of movie nights done right.

7. Add tradition to Trick-Or-Treating

Want to make Halloween a little more meaningful (and a little less about the sugar rush)? Create a tradition your kids will look forward to every October with personalized Trick-or-Treat tote bags. My kids used their all throughout childhood, and having a bag that’s theirs added a special touch to the night every year. Store them away with the costumes, and next year, watch your kids’ faces light up when they pull out their bag again — full of memories (and soon, candy). Shop Personalized Halloween Tote Bags →

Final Thoughts

Autumn has a way of slowing us down — encouraging us to cozy up, savor small moments, and find beauty in ordinary things. That’s the heart of hygge: celebrating comfort, connection, and contentment right where you are.

So this season, light the candle, make the soup, read the witchy book, and grab that blanket. Loving fall isn’t basic - it’s about feeling grounded, cozy, and grateful for the life you’re living!

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