5 Fall Traditions for Married Couples to Start This Year

1. Farm Fun

Before some of you disregard this one idea as childhood memories of manure scents and long lines flood the mind, hear me out. Farms often offer so many activities that, in my opinion, are more fun without kids and might, I even say, lend to romance. Taking a hayride together, getting lost in a corn maze, or spending an hour picking apples for a homemade pie can be super fun, not to mention amazing for some photos. Depending on where you live, consider Googling "best farms to visit this fall" in your area, and then make a tradition of visiting a different farm each year. As long as the ladies are okay with wearing flats and dressing casually, farm outings can quickly become one of the most looked-forward-to dates of the season. Goat petting optional.

2. Festival or Fair Hopping

Fall festivals can be quite a polarizing subject within the adult world. Some find Renaissance fairs and town festivals to be overpriced, overrun by teens and kids, and far too crowded for the introverted spirit. But exploring a new fair/festival to visit and/or return to with your spouse each year can be a wonderful tradition to build. For couples who enjoy live entertainment, some prominent festivals often offer great live music, and for the health-conscious pairs out there, I will say many fairs have now begun serving healthier food and drink options, evolving past funnel cakes and friend Oreos, and now offering vegan options, and even gourmet food trucks. This drastically decreases the chance of us army crawling back to the car after consuming too many Texas-sized fried dough balls and increases feelings of romance. It's easy to write this one off as an activity for families and kids, but riding the Ferris wheel together and watching a jousting competition together can be a fun variant from the traditional dinner and movie dates we'll have lots of time for all year round.

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3. Create Halloween Memories

Depending on whether you celebrate Halloween or not, "spooky season" can be a fun opportunity for new bonding traditions with your spouse, even if just celebrating harvest time. Although Halloween tends to be a kid-centric holiday, there are lots of ways to partake before you have kids or after your kids are grown. For the costume-loving crowd, consider dressing up as a pair (a.k.a. a football player and cheerleader) and passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters while "in character," rewarding yourselves with takeout and an indoor fire when the night commences. Or level up by hosting an adult-only costume party, with fall-themed food and drinks and even a costume contest, inviting guests to vote for the best costumed couple. Or, feel free to turn the lights off at your house on Halloween (sorry, kids!) and make completely untraditional traditions, like going to a movie, treating yourselves to a nice dinner, or going to a friend's house for game night.

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4. Fan the Flames

As soon as there's even a hint of chill in the air, my husband and I are on the phone, giddily calling the wood delivery folks, sweeping out the fireplace, and counting the seconds until that first indoor fire and outdoor bonfire. Making a fire together can be a fun, cozy, and romantic activity, especially if you live in seasonal climates where it's too hot for fires. If building indoor fires or outdoor fires feels foreign or intimidating (especially if you didn't have a fireplace or outdoor fire pit growing up), it doesn't have to be. Start small by investing in a portable firepit sold at any home improvement store or an indoor pellet stove if you don't have a fireplace. Warning, though: once you fall in love with fire-making, you'll likely never go back. There's almost something better than the sight and sound of sparking, crackling wood during those crisp, early fall nights when it starts getting dark earlier and you're curled up under the stars or on the couch with your favorite blanket. Another fun tradition may be hosting an annual fall bonfire and connecting with friends before the holiday rush starts. Up your bonfire game by offering a gourmet smores station, adult or non-alcoholic ciders and pumpkin themed snacks.

5. Hiking or Leaf Peeping

Even for couples not super interested in exercise, getting outside to enjoy the changing foliage can still be a treasured fall tradition. Consider purchasing a book or map guide allowing you to choose trails, hikes, and walks based on the terrain and difficulty level you're comfortable with. Then, you can choose a few new hikes to explore or return to together each fall. Make it even more special by packing an autumnal picnic or ending the day with a much-deserved dinner out. For those unable to hike, consider taking a few annual leaf-peeping drives around your state-particularly areas that are new to you both. Try Googling "best coffee" in the area you're visiting to incorporate a quest with your scenic drive. Sometimes, there's nothing better than queuing up a favorite playlist, coffee in hand, and meandering through fall beauty with nowhere to go and no rush to be had.

No matter how you feel about winter's approaching, fall is a time to celebrate, rest, and acutely recognize God's glorious, ever-changing, and abundant world. Happy fall and happy tradition-making!