October Is A Great Month To…

October is a great month to...Here are over 100 ideas and reasons why October is a month worth celebrating! There is so much to love about October! Read this post and you will want to celebrate October too!

October is one of my very favorite months! The weather is glorious and the leaves are saturated with color and pumpkins dot the fields here in Lancaster Co! It’s also birthday month. Not mine, but so many people I love are born this month so we do a lot of celebrating!

If you love October, let me know in the comments below!

Actually, from now until the New Year feels like one big holiday!

Let’s look at some favorite things to do in October!

FALL HOME TOURS

October is a great month to visit fall home tours! Make sure to check out two of my most recent home tours for 2022.

This fall, decorating was all about using what I already had plus the pretty organics I could pick up at our local farmstands!

You can see part 1 of my USE WHAT YOU HAVE 2022 FALL HOME TOUR here. And Part 2 of the FALL HOME TOUR here.

And look for a Fall Bedroom Tour later this week.

OCTOBER IS ALL ABOUT PUMPKINS

One of the things that make October so special is pumpkins! What is it about the humble pumpkin that makes it so so popular? I think it might be the shapes and the stems. Or the array of colors pumpkins come in.

Whatever it is, that je ne sais quoi, pumpkins are on the top of the October list.

And let’s not forget that pumpkins are squash and we love their diversity too!

This month make one fun pumpkin DIY!

Here are a few pumpkin DIY’s that are easy to make and will help October decorating look so much prettier!

BLUE AND WHITE CHINOISERIE PUMPKINS are not only easy to make, beautiful but they are fun! Even if you are not crafty you can make a few to use in your fall home.

Here’s another easy pumpkin DIY. Carve out the center of a baby boo pumpkin and drop of votive inside making the sweetest FALL PUMPKIN CANDLE.

And aren’t these MINI SUCCULENT TOPPED PUMPKINS adorable? TheY are so easy I’m making them with my grandkids next weekend.

Also, check out 100 FALL PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS for lots of fall pumpkin inspiration and ideas.

So grab a few real pumpkins to decorate with and enjoy them inside and out this month!

MAKING CHANGES IN FALL DECOR

October is also a great month to make some changes to your fall decor. I decorate for fall a bit early and my decor reflects the earlier part of the season. As the middle of fall rolls around I want to add more pumpkins and warmer colors and fabrics and organics like pheasant feathers and brambly wreaths to our home.

No more apples or dried hydrangeas and a lot less green. Out comes the deep orange and gold tartans and brown dried gourds and I add a bit of metal like brass and silver to reflect the candlelight I love this time of year!

Our front porch gets a makeover in October too. I like to hang a wreath with lots of deep fall colors on our front door!

See how easy it is to make this gorgeous BRAMBLY AND BRIGHT FALL LEAF WREATH.

October is the best time to start thinking about how to transition from all the fall decorations in our home to Thanksgiving and then to Christmas.

Over the years I’ve found an easy way to ease from one month to another. I usually put a lot of my fall decor away by the end of October and keep out the decor I talked about above. Then gradually I pair it down to some of my best Thanksgiving decor. This makes taking the Thanksgiving things away when I’m ready to start decorating for Christmas so much easier!

I like a “slow roll” when it comes to adding and editing and putting away seasonal decor. So October is the time to think about the decor for the rest of the year!

LET’S CELEBRATE OCTOBER

Look at all the foodie fun and other things to celebrate this month…

October 1st- World Vegetarian Day, 2- National Day Of Non-Violence, 3- Mean Girl Appreciation Day (the movie), 4- National Cinnamon Roll Day, 5- National Be Nice Day, 6- National Garlic Day, 7- National Frappe Day, 8- National Pierogi Day, 9- International Beer and Pizza Day, 10- National Anglel Food Day, 11- Southern Food Heritage Day, 12- National Gumbo Day, 13- National Fossil Day, 14- National Dessert Day, 15- National Cheese Curd Day. 16- Nationaln Liquor Day, 17- National Pasta Day, 18- National Cupcake Day. 19- National Friend Day, 20- National Brandied Fruit Day, 21- International Day of Nachos, 22- Eat A Pretzel Day, 23- National Boston Cream Pie Day, 24- National Bologna Day, 25- National Art Day, 26- National Pumpkin Day🎃, 27- American Beer Day, 28- National Chocolate Day, 29- National Cat Day🐈‍⬛, 30- National Haunted Refrigerator Night, 31-Halloween

Did you know that more babies are born on October 5th? I bet you can figure out why?

October’s weather is known as sweater weather. How wonderful!

Other reasons to love October…

football, candles, beautiful leaves, bonfires and fire pits, apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, coffee with pumpkin spice creamer, carving jack-o-lanterns, Reese’s peanut butter pumpkins, falling leaves, apple cider, mulled wine, fall festivals, mums, corn stalks, wearing cozy scarves, Oktoberfest, walking on crunchy leaves, kids in cute Halloween costumes, dogs and cats dressed up in adorable costumes, eating roasted pumpkin seeds, and so much more. Add to this list in the comments!

PERUSE YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATION STASH

NOW is the best time to head to where your Christmas decor is stashed with a smartphone and a pen and paper.

Take pictures of what you want to use, and make lists so you don’t forget! Think about decorating the focal points in your home first, then the mantel or other flat surfaces.

And think about repeated elements like using wreaths or Christmas balls. Also, think about things to put greens in or make arrangements. Then think about candleholders, lanterns, and candles. This should give you a very good start on your Christmas decor!

And make list after list after list!

If you have not culled and curated your Christmas decor in a while now is the time to do that too! Tired or broken decor is not your best and is just taking up space. Get rid of it!

CHOOSE A CHRISTMAS COLOR PALETTE

You might want to decide on your Christmas color palette in October. If you have never done this before and have lots of Christmas decor it is a great way to give the decor you have a designer look!

Instead of using all your decor, pick out the best you have in a Christmas color palette you love and set your decor aside. So when you need it you will know exactly where it is!

Here’s a little sneak peek at the colors I’ve chosen for Christmas 2022.

I loved the colors in our bedroom last Christmas, so I’ll be using a lot of the same elements throughout our home that were shown in our CHRISTMAS BEDROOM. Plus a touch of red and of course a little green too!

October is a great month to decide on some basic Christmas decorating!

MORE THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO START NOW FOR CHRISTMAS

I know! I hear you when you say that it’s too early to think about Christmas.

But we can walk and chew gum at the same time, right? We can enjoy October and plan for Christmas.

Believe me, the earlier we plan for the holiday season the easier it will be!

You can start by…

• making a list of holiday menus and recipes
• asking kids and grandkids for their Christmas wishlists
• wrapping gifts as you buy them
• starting Christmas projects
• taking Christmas pictures for Christmas cards
• making and freezing cookie dough
• planning Christmas parties and get the dates on the calendar
• making travel plans

October is such a celebration it is nice to have a bit of Christmas planning added in too!

OCTOBER EATS

If you are a seasonal eater, like we are, then you are so excited for warming, fall flavors!

Soup is big in our home any time of year, but it tastes so good as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter!

FALL FOOTBALL FAVORITES

We are big football fans and spend time rooting on our teams. Sunday lunch/dinner often involves the whole family!

We set up a Chili Bar on the kitchen island and make a big pot of chili and put out all kinds of yummy things to go in the chili! We also add HOMEMADE SWEET CREAM CORNBREAD FROM A BOX MIX or BEER BREAD.

Everyone helps themself to food and beverages and we spend time around the tv and in the kitchen.

Here are our two favorite types of chili, this super easy CROCKPOT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI, and my CLASSIC CHILI.

FALL SOUPS

This week is a big birthday week at our house so I’m also making soup to have on hand for lunches.

Here’s a trio of fall-inspired soups we love!

NANI’S DELICIOUS HAM AND CABBAGE SOUP

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

LOADED POTATO SOUP

All these soups can be doubled and frozen. I like to freeze soup in four-cup containers because that makes a couple nice cups of soup.

For us, the toppings on the soup are almost as important as the soup itself. A nice dollop of sour cream gives a smooth tang to cabbage soup or butternut squash soup. We also like to sprinkle the soup with things like finely chopped parsley or sliced green onions for a fresh taste.

And a squeeze of lemon or lime also brightens up almost any soup!

You might like to have a soup bar the next time you entertain. It’s such an easy way to feed people and it’s fun too! October and soup bars just seem perfect for each other!

FALL DESSERTS

Let’s eat some easy and fabulous desserts in October!

Last month I featured our favorite RAW APPLE CAKE but this month let’s make some goodies with lots of warm fall spices.

This month make sure you try the PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE FROM A BOX MIX WITH MAPLE SYRUP GLAZE. I make it in a bundt pan. Everything is so much prettier in a bundt pan!

And here’s a PUMPKIN COFFEE CAKE WITH A STREUSEL TOPPING AND A VANILLA GLAZE. The streusel topping makes this pumpkin cake a winner!

Do you like cookies? Then you will want to try these GINGERSNAP COOKIES! They are delicious with coffee or tea!

OCTOBER IS A GREAT MONTH TO BUY FALL DECOR ON SALE

Once October rolls around lots and lots of fall decor goes on sale. Businesses want to make room for Christmas decor that will, if not already, be showing up on store shelves and online.

If you like StoneGable style then you will love the Harvest Shops At StoneGable!

I’ve curated pretty fall decor with you in mind and lots of items are on sale. Check back often to see new items going on sale this month.

And look for the StoneGable Christmas Shops at the end of the month.

GRAB A PLAID OR TARTAN THROW

October is the time to start displaying and using all those gorgeous fall-textured throws. My favorite, without a doubt, are tartan and plaid throws.

Sure, drape one over a chair or sofa or across a bed but also think about using a fall throw in other ways too!

Here are other ways to put your throws to work…

• use a throw as a tablecloth
• drape a throw on a rocking chair
• roll up several throws and put them in a basket
• fold them and stack them on a shelf in a bookshelf
• spread a throw on the floor and have an indoor picnic
• if your headboard is straight hang a pretty fall tartan over it for a fall make-shift upholstered headboard
• make pretty fall placemats out of old plaid throws… see HOW TO MAKE PLACEMATS OUT OF A PLAID THROW

SPEND LOTS OF TIME OUTSIDE

Soaking in the gorgeous colors of fall and cooler weather is a must in October. Even if your weather or scenery does not change much it’s still important to get outside!

I’m a collector as I walk! Here are my favorite things to look for this time of year…

• acorns
• pinecones
• black walnuts in their husks
• pretty fall leaves
• wildflowers and other flora
• bark
• moss

Just remember you might bring home a few critters along with your treasure from your walk. Acorns can be full of bugs. And pinecones can be sap ladened.

To get rid of the pinecone sap and bugs… put the pinecones on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Stick the baking tray into a 200 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Let the pinecones cool and that’s it! Use them in your decor!

Debugging acorns is not as cut and dry! First, inspect your acorns and toss any that have cracks or tiny 1/8-inch holes in them. They are notorious for being a home to weevil larvae.

Remove the tops of the acorns and set them aside.

Wash the acorns well and let them dry for 24 hours. Then put the acorns on a foil lined baking sheet in a single layer and pop them into a 175 degree oven for 2 hours. Keep the door cracked to let out any steam and turn them every 30 minutes.

Cool completely and discard any burnt acorns. Now they are ready to be used. Hot glue acorn tops back onto the acorns if you wish.

My favorite thing to collect is fall leaves. I usually come home from a walk with a bunch in the pocket of my jacket!

Using one or even several pretty leaves you can make this easy FALL LEAF CANDLEHOLDER. This is one for the not-crafty bunch! You will feel so accomplished.

Add a few real or faux acorns to the base of the glass hurricane! So pretty!

HALLOWEEN AND TRICK OR TREAT

I’m not much of a Halloween fan but I do love to hand out goodies when trick-or-treaters come to our door. Since we moved to our home on a golf course we don’t get trick-or-treaters. Such a disappointment!

But this year, our son and his family now live close to us so we will hopefully be giving them a hand at home while they take the little kids around the neighborhood. I might just dress up as a dinosaur and hand out candy!

If you don’t get trick or treaters at your home think about giving a family who has kids some help. It will make their time and yours on this spooky night extra fun!

I hope you have enjoyed all the things October holds. Can you think of anything October is a great month to …? Please share in the comments.