Fall season reflections
The fall season, which officially lasts from September 22 to November 30, contains many major holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Day of the Dead, and Veterans Day. They all have unique purposes of being celebrated, which contributes to the aesthetic of each holiday.
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Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to pile up plates with loads of classic dishes ranging from savory to sweet.
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From left to right, Heidi Wright, 10, Taylor Thompson, 12, Faith Bober, 9, Jade Bontron, 10, Tiannah Smith, 12, Bayleigh Martinez, 11, and Ardyn Lessner, 10, pose for a Majestics Halloween Instagram post.
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Shadow the cat, owned by Ardyn Lessner, 10, sits in her Halloween-themed scratching post box.
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Halloween:
Halloween is the one night of the year where it’s perfectly acceptable to wear creepy outfits and knock on strangers’ doors begging for gifts, in this case, candy. It focuses on the allure of fear through darkness, illusions, identities, and horror, and is recognizable through symbols such as witches, ghosts, monsters, and black cats. Its roots were first planted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, aimed to ward off ghosts and souls of the dead through lighting bonfires and wearing costumes. Later, Pope Gregory III designated the following day, November first for honoring saints, becoming named All Saints Day, and October 31 as All Hallows Eve. Although it has since adapted to the fun, sweet-filled experience children around the world know today, some countries around the world still adhere to old traditions. In the Czech Republic chairs for deceased loved ones are placed around a bonfire, and in England bonfires are lit on November fifth to commemorate Guy Fawkes, who attempted to assassinate King James I before being arrested to death.
Day of the Dead:
Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead, a blend of Aztec traditions and All Souls Day brought over from Spain in the early 1500’s, is celebrated in Mexico on November first and second. Through altars, or ofrendas, emblazoned with candlelight, ancestors are able to find the path back to their loved ones and spend 24 hours with them, specifically adults on the first day, and children the next. The Aztecs and Nahue people would provide traditional foods and various treasured possessions to aid them on the journey from Mictlán, the final resting place, or if they haven’t passed the nine levels yet, Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead.
Nowadays, it is believed that the border between the spirit world and Earth dissolves, allowing deceased relatives to awaken and visit. Feasts and celebrations are held, with drinking and dancing for all ages. People still leave food and gifts on ofrendas, with the added addition of brightly colored orange marigolds. Calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls) are popular symbols seen all over the city through face paint, sugar skulls, banners, masks, and more. Additionally, pan de muerto or pan de animas are traditional breads that each symbolize a different aspect of death and represent the holiday.
Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all the blessings in life, as indicated by its name. It captures the essence of fall, with cozy atmospheres and hearty food. Whether getting together with friends and family or spending time alone eating pumpkin pie, food is a crucial aspect. From main courses like roast turkey to sides such as mashed potatoes and green beans, feasts are prepared hours in advance to get ready for visitors. Other commonly eaten foods include corn, ham, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, cornbread, rolls, and various pies like apple or pecan.
Thanksgiving is mostly celebrated in the US and Canada, as it is believed to have started from a harvest feast between the pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans at Plymouth. Although they ate different cuisine, specifically seafood, beans, nuts, fruit, venison, and vegetables, the meaning of the feast was the same as today: enjoying each other’s company and expressing gratitude. However, it didn’t become an official holiday until October 3, 1863, when Abraham Lincoln adopted it due to Sarah Josepha Hale lobbying for a unifying force to ease tensions between the North and the South.
Veteran’s Day:
World War 1 officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but fighting continued on between the Germans and the Allied Nations for several months, until an armistice, or cessation of fighting, was declared on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Because of this, November 11th is considered the end of “the war to end all wars,” a celebration of patriotism to the United States of America. Veterans are honored with ceremonies, parties, and luncheons for their dedication to the country, so red, white, and blue flags are raised, commemorating the men and women who fought for freedom.
Autumn decoration inspiration can be taken from nature, with bright leaves and rustic pine cones. Bouquets of dried wildflowers next to aesthetic books on accent tables can make spaces feel chic and seasonal at the same time. Chunky throw blankets can be draped over plush pumpkin pillows to add a sense of coziness to the atmosphere, and candles, whether real or artificial, emanate a soft glow.
Shades of red, orange, and brown are common hues, conveyed through leaf, acorn, plaid, houndstooth, and argyle patterns. These aspects can be added in one’s wardrobe, trading the brighter florals for darker harvest tones.
No matter which of the many fall feelings is trying to be attained, there are many ways to draw that sensation into daily life. Incorporating a new rug, swapping out an old dress, or adding porch adornments are some of the many ways to truly encapsulate autumn visually.
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Fall decorations bring extra seasonal spirit.
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Fall decorations bring extra seasonal spirit.
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Fall decorations bring extra seasonal spirit.
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Fall decorations bring extra seasonal spirit.
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Fall decorations bring extra seasonal spirit.
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Fall has always been dubbed the “harvest season,” with most crops planted in the spring and becoming ripe enough to gather. With Thanksgiving included, it’s apparent that food plays a major role in encompassing what autumn is all about. Cinnamon, maple, pecan, pumpkin, and apple are all flavors incorporated into drinks, pastries, and many other foods seen year round, while things like pumpkin pie, cranberries, and sweet potatoes become more commonly served in meals during the season.
Starbucks is a perfect example of taking these fall flavors into consideration when creating their menu. They host a variety of options, from pumpkin spice lattes to apple cream chais, as well as pumpkin loaves and apple croissants. Popular breakfast places like First Watch and Another Broken Egg Café offer pumpkin pancakes and waffles, and on the sweeter side of things Cheesecake Factory introduces a pumpkin cheesecake along with Cracker Barrel’s apple crumble. Even restaurants that focus on savory dishes incorporate ingredients currently at their peaks, such as Seasons 52 and Bravo! Italian Kitchen.
One thing is for sure, autumn flavors delight the taste buds through lots of available delicacies. Whether sugary, tangy, or tart, it’s easy to find something that embodies the autumn essence.
From cinnamon sticks to pumpkin spiced lattes, it’s easy to welcome the scent of fall into homes. Merely opening up the window will invite the cool breeze to flow in, bringing the smell of pine trees and the cold. Combining spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, and star anise with fresh or dried apples and oranges on the stove can create a potpourri that travels throughout the entire house. Candles and room mists are other options that require less work and can be bought in various stores.
Pumpkin Patches:
Pumpkin patches are displays of different brightly colored gourds waiting to be taken home. Whether used as decoration, food, or for carving, pumpkins are useful for spicing up the season. Pumpkin patches provide opportunities to choose the perfect one while spending time with family and friends.
Nature Walks:
The cooler weather provides perfect conditions for nature walks. During what once was the hottest time of day, chilly winds blow brilliantly hued leaves as squirrels dash up trees. Nature walks allow people to relax and experience the changing colors of the season while finding special aspects of the scenery that bring joy, like acorns or pinecones. This is also an excellent way to exercise and rejuvenate, especially after stressful days.
Apple Picking:
Apple is an essential fall flavor, and picking them straight off the tree offers a chance to reconnect with nature directly through produce. Farms offer many varieties and flavors suitable for any use, from baking, to bobbing.
Movies:
Burrowing under layers of thick, fluffy blankets while eating popcorn and candy is a popular pastime, especially if it happens to be dark and chilly. No matter the genre, streaming classic movies or discovering new favorites is an enjoyable way to spend free time.
Reading:
Although reading is perceived as a tedious task, it’s entertaining when the book is chosen and a topic of interest. Reading also exercises the brain while transporting the reader to new worlds full of wonder and possibilities. Adding blankets, a seasonal candle, and hot chocolate elevates the experience and makes it more enjoyable.
Raking Leaves:
A tedious backyard chore can be turned into a fun fall tradition. Once raking up piles of leaves, they are perfect at bracing the impact of squealing children gleefully jumping. It’s easy to gather them back into a stack for more delight or to be bagged up.
Carving Pumpkins:
Carving pumpkins is a staple for Halloween celebrations, and the internet provides plenty of tutorials, carving tools, or inspiration. They make excellent porch decorations and new crafts to try.
Furniture stores like HomeGoods have a plethora of options focusing on the current season, with subcategories centered around Thanksgiving and Halloween. Department stores such as Target have more generalized products themed around autumn, whereas Hobby Lobby and Michaels have fall craft supplies for all the creative people wanting to make their own decorations.
Companies focus on the emotional aspect of their product to secure customers, versus what it’s actually useful for. During fall, they place emphasis on coziness, through elements such as hot foods, spicy drinks, and warm blankets. This brings a sense of calm and familiarity, drawing the customer to the product. Successful marketing transports the viewer back to meaningful moments that connect customers to the season and happiness, causing brains to relate it to the product. Some stores will even have air fresheners or mists that evoke the current season.
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Various advertisements use leaf elements and autumn themes to convince consumers to purchase their products.
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Various advertisements use leaf elements and autumn themes to convince consumers to purchase their products.
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Various advertisements use leaf elements and autumn themes to convince consumers to purchase their products.
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