“Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable, and safe in a confusing world.” 

Psychologist Susan Lieberman puts it well when outlining the importance of tradition in families and life. New seasons present us with the perfect opportunity to revisit forgotten traditions and create new ones! From apple picking and corn-maze adventuring to dessert baking and creative decorating endeavors, the autumn season presents some of the year’s best traditions around. Whether you’ve incorporated longstanding traditions into your own life, or are just beginning to test the waters, there’s no better backdrop than the fresh start of a season to begin implementing traditions! Check out our top five traditions for fall 2018: 

1) Host a Pumpkin Carving Contest Party:
Open your home and host a fun, fall-themed potluck complete with pumpkin carving contest. Ask everyone to BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) and then divide your guests into three categories: appetizers, desserts, and fun-fall drinks and have each bring something to share. Don’t limit this party to kids only, though! Adults should come prepped and ready to bring their own artistic brilliance and creativity to the table. Spice it up by creating a contest with various awards (e.g.: “Most Artistic”, “Most Creative, or “Funniest”) and give each winner gift cards to a local brewery or coffee shop!

2) Saturday Afternoon Baking
While leave raking and football tossing may be a fun fall-themed Saturday activity, take your memory building into the kitchen! Fall is the prime time to try new recipes, not only does the season advocate the use of delicious spices (we’re talking about you, nutmeg!), but with the weather cooling down it’s no longer a waste of energy to heat up the kitchen with your stoves and ovens. Overwhelmed by pumpkin spice and apple everything and not sure where to start your fall culinary adventures? Bon Appetit shares 60 of fall’s recipes HERE to get you started >>

3) Get Outside
There’s nothing quite as beautiful as the leaves transforming into fiery reds and oranges during the months of September through November, and with the temperatures cooling down after steamy summers, time outdoors is often a welcomed activity. Spend time hiking, exploring local trails, biking, tossing a football, or simply enjoying a cool, fall picnic in the autumn sunshine. For more fall outdoor activities, check out this site >>

4) Bonfire Neighborhood Gathering
While our neighborhoods are filled with possible friendships, sometimes we overlook the possibility of a new friend just next door. Get to know more of your neighbors this fall by hosting a casual bonfire gathering! No need to open the doors of your home, rather transform your backyard into a simple “get to know you” space. There’s something uniquely cozy about gathering around a fire, sipping apple cider, and breaking the ice while getting to know others around you!

5) Spend a Weekend in a Cabin
Summer months scream “beach time", but the fall hems us in and beckons us to the mountains or local outdoor beauty-spots. Use AirBNB to find a cabin and venture away for the weekend! Disconnect from the daily buzz of social media and technology and instead breathe deeply, explore your surroundings, and discover more beauty. Many smaller mountain towns host fun fall-themed events, so be sure to check each town calendar for upcoming excitement… you never know when you’ll stumble upon an apple festival or corn maze race!


These may seem like simple ideas and suggestions, but when implementing new traditions it's always best to start slow and small. Even if you just begin incorporating one or two of the above this year, you can slowly build from there in the years to come. Whatever your approach is, you're sure to begin creating new, meaningful memories for your entire family!