The Ultimate Fall Bucket List for Women: 15 Things to Do Before the First Snow

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There’s something magical about fall. The air gets crisp, the leaves burst into color, and suddenly all I want to do is drink warm drinks, wear soft sweaters, and lean into the slower rhythm of the season. That’s where a Fall Bucket List comes in.

As women, we’re often juggling work, relationships, responsibilities, and sometimes we forget to stop and savor the simple joys. That’s why I’m intentionally making space this year to do the things that fill me up, not drain me. Some are solo self-care moments, others are about gathering with friends. All of them are memories waiting to be made.

Here are 15 cozy, creative, and meaningful ideas for your Fall Bucket List this year, before the first snow arrives and we shift into winter mode.

A cozy fall scene featuring a window with warm autumn colors outside, a lit candle, a knitted sweater, and fallen leaves, accompanied by the text 'THE ULTIMATE FALL BUCKET LIST'.

1. Paint Pumpkins (Instead of Carving Them)

Carving pumpkins is a fall classic, but pumpkin painting? Way less mess and way more fun.

Last October, my girlfriends and I hosted a “Pumpkin & Pinot” night. We each brought a few mini pumpkins, set out paint, stencils, and glitter, and spent the evening sipping red wine while getting artsy. Some pumpkins had cute fall sayings like “Hello Gourd-geous,” while others looked like abstract art. I still have mine on a shelf!

Why it’s a must: It’s creative, relaxing, and perfect for a girls’ night. Plus, painted pumpkins last longer and don’t attract bugs.

A decorated pumpkin painted with white ghost faces, surrounded by more pumpkins in a fall-themed setting.

2. Take a Trip to an Apple Orchard

This one’s a non-negotiable on my list. There’s something about wandering through rows of trees with a bag slung over your shoulder that just feels like fall.

Last year, I went with my sister to a small orchard just outside town. We picked apples, drank warm cider, and treated ourselves to cinnamon sugar donuts. It was simple and perfect. We even brought home apples to bake a crisp later that weekend.

Pro tip: Go early in the season for the best selection. Look for orchards that have cider tastings or hayrides for extra charm.

A woman standing in an apple orchard, holding freshly picked apples while surrounded by apple trees bearing red fruit.

3. Take a Candle-Making Class

This is one of my favorite new discoveries. Picture this: you’re sipping a cozy glass of cabernet, blending essential oils, and pouring your own custom candle in a dreamy studio filled with fall scents.

A hand reaching towards a freshly made candle with floral and herb accents, placed on a light-colored table. In the background, a box with dried materials and a separate candle can be seen.

If you can’t find a local class, host one at home! You’ll need:

Soy wax flakes
Jars and wicks (reusable or thrifted jars work great)
Fragrance oils (try apple spice, vanilla, or cedarwood)
A slow-melting pot or double boiler

Or just order a DIY candle making kit!

Pair the project with wine, snacks, and good music, and it’s instantly a fall night to remember. They can make perfect DIY gifts for the holidays too!

4. Start or Join a Fall-Themed Book Club

There’s no better season to read than fall. A cozy blanket, a warm drink, and a juicy novel = instant bliss. But what makes it better? Talking about it with friends.

A group of four women gathered in a cozy, brightly lit room, sitting on a variety of cushions and stools, engaged in cheerful conversation while one holds a notebook.

I started a fall book club with three girlfriends and we meet once a month at someone’s house (rotating host = rotating snacks). Our fall reads this year include:

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

We each bring something fall-themed to eat or drink, and we’ve even done costume themes for Halloween meetings!

Can’t decide on a book? Try out a Blind Date with a Book Box– a surprise book in a genre you like.

5. Host a Soup Swap or Chili Cook-Off

I hosted my first soup swap last November and now I’m hooked. Each guest brought a big batch of homemade soup in a crockpot, along with containers to take samples home. We sampled each soup, voted on faves, and left with at least four different soups for the week.

A variety of colorful soups displayed in bowls, including green pea soup, tomato soup, butternut squash soup topped with pumpkin seeds, creamy white soup, and a rich mushroom soup, arranged artistically on a table.

Want more competition? Turn it into a chili cook-off! Set up a toppings bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, scallions, hot sauces, and cornbread muffins. Add some fall drinks (apple cider bourbon cocktails, anyone?) and let the judging begin.

6. Go on a Scenic Road Trip or Foliage Hike

Fall colors don’t last forever, so this one’s all about timing. Block off a weekend afternoon, make a cozy playlist (I’m talking Fleetwood Mac, Hozier, and Brandi Carlile), and hit the road.

A scenic dirt road winding through a forest with vibrant autumn leaves in shades of orange and yellow.

Some of my favorite past drives:

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Vermont Route 100
Any winding road through a national park

If you prefer to hike, find a trail near you with a viewpoint. Bring a thermos of chai and a picnic lunch for an extra reward at the top.

7. Plan a Girls’ Cabin Weekend

This is peak fall fun. Whether it’s a rustic cabin in the woods or a luxe Airbnb with mountain views, gather your favorite people and unplug for a couple of days.

A cozy fall beverage with a cinnamon stick and orange slices sits beside whole apples in a basket on a checkered blanket.

Our itinerary last year:

Cozy brunch (pumpkin pancakes + mimosas)
Wine tasting at a local vineyard
DIY spa night (face masks + foot soaks)
Pajama dance party by the fire
Movie night with popcorn and Hocus Pocus

We came back glowing and relaxed, and instantly booked one for this year.

8. Try a Fall DIY or Craft Project

There’s something about fall that just makes me want to slow down, stay inside, and make something with my hands. Whether it’s a rainy Sunday or a chilly weeknight, a creative project feels like the perfect antidote to stress. And the best part? You don’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect crafter to enjoy the process.

Flat lay of colorful autumn leaves, orange berries, a pair of scissors, and twine arranged on a textured fabric background.

Doing a little fall DIY isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about lighting a candle, turning on a cozy playlist, pouring a mug of spiced tea or wine, and creating something seasonal just because it brings you joy.

Add wine, music, and a scented candle to turn it into a vibe.

Easy & Beautiful Fall DIY Ideas to Try

Here are some of my favorite low-effort, high-reward fall craft projects, most of which you can complete in an evening or weekend:

Stovetop Simmer Pot Kits– These are a fall sensory dream. You mix dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and sometimes rosemary into a mason jar or clear bag. Add a little tag that says “Simmer in a pot of water on low heat for cozy fall vibes.” Use them yourself or gift them to neighbors, teachers, or your Thanksgiving host.

Pressed Leaf Bookmarks or Wall Art– Head outside and collect some colorful fallen leaves (the flatter the better). Press them between pages of a heavy book for a few days. Once dry, you can:
- Laminate them into bookmarks
- Glue them onto card stock with a quote or poem
- Frame them for simple seasonal wall decor

Decorative Mason Jar Candle Holders– Wrap lace, burlap, or twine around mason jars. Add a tealight candle inside and line them along your mantle, table, or porch. I like to drop a little cinnamon stick or pine sprig inside for scent.
- Pro tip: Add a drop of essential oil to the candle base for extra cozy vibes.

Make Your Own Fall Candles– This is hands-down my favorite fall DIY, because it blends creativity and instant cozy payoff. I started making candles last year, and now I’m hooked. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll want to make them for everyone you know.

Rustic Painted Wood Signs– Grab a piece of unfinished wood (or even an old cutting board), some chalk paint or acrylics, and stencil on your favorite fall phrase:
- “Welcome Fall”
- “Sweater Weather”
- “Cozy Vibes Only”
- “Pumpkin Everything”

Great for mantels, bookshelves, or entryways.

Host a Fall Craft Night With Friends

This is one of my favorite things to do once the days get shorter and everyone’s craving connection. Pick a project, like painted pumpkins, simmer pot jars, or DIY candles, and invite a few friends over for a low-key evening of wine, snacks, and crafting.

Here’s what you need:

A few supplies (set out stations or work on one big table)
Wine or hot spiked cider
A fall playlist (Norah Jones, The Lumineers, Bon Iver, thank me later)
Some snacks, mini cheese board, cookies, popcorn

If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, or just want to learn a new skill, fall is also a great time to try out textile crafts like:

Chunky arm knitting: You can make a throw blanket in an hour!
Beginner embroidery: Try a fall leaf or pumpkin pattern.
Needle felting: Make cute little pumpkins or woodland animals.
Macrame: Simple leaf wall hangings in fall colors are beautiful and beginner-friendly.

YouTube has tutorials for everything, so don’t be intimidated- just dive in.

9. Bake Your Signature Fall Dessert

Whether you’re into pies, cookies, or breads, fall is baking season. This year, I’m determined to master my own signature fall treat.

A cozy autumn scene featuring hands holding a freshly baked loaf of pumpkin bread, surrounded by a stylish hat, an open magazine, a decorative candle, and a small butternut squash.

My current obsession? Chai-spiced snickerdoodles. I use cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and a little nutmeg in the dough. They’re soft, spicy, and totally addicting.

Other crowd favorites:

Maple pecan blondies
Apple crumble bars
Pumpkin cream cheese muffins
Salted caramel brownies

Bake with a friend or make extra to share with neighbors.

10. Set a Seasonal Intention

Fall naturally feels like a reset. The world slows down. The leaves let go. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want more (or less) of.

A person wearing a cozy sweater writes in a notebook while sitting by a window, with a cup of coffee placed nearby.

Take 15 minutes, grab your journal, and answer:

What do I want to feel this fall?
What can I release that’s no longer serving me?
How can I be more present this season?

My intention this year? Savor slowness. That means more tea, more walks, less pressure.

11. Do a Fall Coffee Shop Crawl

Find three to four local coffee shops and try their seasonal menus. I like to make a little If there’s one thing I love more than fall itself, it’s fall drinks. The minute October hits, I’m on a mission to try every warm, spiced, frothy seasonal beverage within a 10-mile radius. That’s how my personal favorite tradition was born: the Fall Coffee Shop Crawl.

Two yellow coffee cups with latte art sit on a table, accompanied by a slice of baked goods, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Think of it as bar hopping’s cozy cousin, with more cinnamon, less regret. Map out your route, walking if the shops are close, or driving with stops along the way for a full fall outing.You can go solo (hello, self-care Sunday) or invite a couple friends for a fun girls’ morning. Make it even cuter by printing a little “fall drink scorecard” to rate your sips.

What to Order at Each Stop

I always go in with a strategy something new or seasonal at every shop. Here’s a sample lineup:

Classic Pumpkin Spice Latte (you have to start here!)
Maple Cinnamon Latte
Chai Tea Latte with oat milk
Apple Cider or a Dirty Chai
Salted Caramel Mocha or Bourbon Vanilla Cold Brew

Ask baristas about their fall specials, sometimes there’s a hidden gem not on the board, like a brown sugar cardamom latte or a lavender chai. Yes please.

Support Local and Discover New Favorites

One of the things I love most about a coffee shop crawl is how it introduces me to new places. The quiet corner café I never noticed before? Turns out they make the best rosemary shortbread and have the coziest fall playlist.

Supporting small, local businesses during the fall season makes your crawl feel meaningful, and you’ll likely return long after the leaves are gone.

12. Decorate Your Porch or Entryway

You don’t have to go full haunted house, but adding a few pumpkins, mums, and lanterns to your front step gives major fall vibes. A fall themed welcome mat and a fall wreath goes a long way.

A cozy fall porch scene featuring pumpkins, lanterns, and autumn leaves. A decorative wreath hangs on the door, surrounded by warm seasonal accents.

One trick I love: Buy faux pumpkins that you can reuse every year, then layer in real ones closer to Halloween. Add battery-powered candles in lanterns for a cozy glow at night.

13. Visit a Fall Festival or Farmers’ Market

Nothing says “weekend well spent” like wandering a fall market with a hot drink in hand. If you’re craving that picture-perfect fall moment, the kind with crisp air, pumpkin-spiced everything, handmade goods, and live folk music floating through the breeze, then add this to your Fall Bucket List ASAP: a visit to a fall festival or farmers’ market.

A rustic wooden backdrop decorated with straw figures and bright orange pumpkins, creating a cozy fall atmosphere.

There’s something magical about walking through rows of vendor booths with a hot drink in hand and no real plan other than to explore. Whether you’re looking for seasonal produce, artisan goods, or just a wholesome Saturday outing, this one checks all the autumn boxes.

What to Look For (and Buy!) at a Fall Market

I love using fall markets to stock up on cozy goods I wouldn’t normally find at big stores. Here are a few things I always look for:

Local honey or jams, perfect for fall charcuterie boards
Hand-poured candles in scents like spiced pear, campfire, or pumpkin chai
Small-batch soaps or body butters (I once found a lavender-pumpkin sugar scrub I now hoard)
Baked goods like apple turnovers, rustic pies, or fresh sourdough
Heirloom pumpkins in unique colors for decorating my porch
Seasonal produce like squash, apples, Brussels sprouts, and rainbow carrots

And if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, this is the perfect place to grab centerpieces, decor, and maybe even a pie or two in advance.

Make It a Girls’ Day (or a Solo Self-Care Morning)

You can totally go solo, there’s something grounding about wandering a fall market at your own pace, but this is also a dreamy idea for a girls’ morning.

My best friend and I have made it an annual tradition. We get there right when it opens, grab lattes and breakfast pastries, and spend a couple of hours browsing booths, trying samples, and catching up on life. One year we stumbled into a mini acoustic concert happening by the vendor tents, and just sat under the trees listening for a while. It was such a moment.

14. Watch Your Favorite Fall Movies

Some movies just feel like fall. Whether it’s the vibe, the sweaters, or the soundtrack, a cozy movie night is the ultimate reset. Whether you’re solo, with your partner, or inviting over a few friends, you can turn a simple movie night into a cozy seasonal ritual.

A cozy outdoor movie night setup with friends sitting on blankets, surrounded by soft pillows and twinkling lights, watching a film projected onto a screen.

My forever fall faves:

You’ve Got Mail
Hocus Pocus (classic!)
The Goonies (childhood adventure vibes)
Dead Poets Society (moody academia)
Practical Magic (witchy and wonderful)

Light a candle, make popcorn, and let nostalgia take over.

15. Host a Backyard Bonfire with S’mores and Stories

There’s something timeless and grounding about gathering around a fire as the chill of fall settles in. The crackling of wood, the warmth on your face, the smell of smoke in the air, it all feels like a pause from the rush of everyday life. That’s why hosting a backyard bonfire makes the perfect final addition to your Fall Bucket List.

Whether it’s just you and your thoughts or a full-on gathering of your favorite people, a cozy night around the fire can be both fun and soulful.

A collage of four images showcasing the joy of making s'mores, including a stack of s'mores, a woman enjoying one, friends gathered around a fire, and a dish filled with s'mores ingredients.

You don’t need a fancy fire pit (though if you have one, amazing). A small portable one or even a chiminea works just as well. Surround it with:

Camping chairs, blankets, or floor cushions
A small table for your s’mores station
String lights or lanterns for added glow
A Bluetooth speaker for soft music (think acoustic or indie fall vibes)

Want to elevate it even more? Add fall-themed cocktails or mocktails, a hot cider bar, or a soup station.

Let Fall Fill Your Cup

This Fall Bucket List isn’t about doing everything. It’s about choosing what fills your soul. Even if you just check off three or four items, that’s three or four intentional moments that brought you joy, connection, or rest.

A cozy autumn scene featuring various decorative pumpkins, candles, and a soft blanket, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for fall.

So print this list. Share it with a friend. Make a little plan. You deserve a fall that feels cozy, creative, and full of meaning, before the snowflakes start to fall.

With love,

Bri & Cat

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