Fall has officially arrived y'all, and with it comes a season filled with cozy sweaters, cinnamon-flavored treats, and the crisp air of change. But for many Christian families, this season brings a dilemma: how to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of fall while staying true to their values without focusing on Halloween- this one is going to be fun! If you've been feeling this tug too, this is one you don't want to miss!
Take a listen now:
Growing up, I experienced all the typical fall festivities—trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and dressing up for neighborhood Halloween parties. But as my family grew, something left me uneasy about continuing those traditions. This year, I didn't want to let this season pass by and so I began to seek alternative ways to fully embrace this season that aligned more closely with our Christian faith.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share some meaningful and creative ways you can celebrate fall without Halloween, offering joy and faith-based alternatives that can create lasting memories.
1. Savor the Beauty in Creation
This is the perfect time to get outdoors and appreciate God's creation. Whether it’s a family hike to see the fall leaves changing or simply a walk around your neighborhood, use this season to pause and reflect on the beauty of nature. Take a moment to praise God for the changing seasons, the vibrant colors, and the fresh air.
I don’t know if hiking is your thing but my family and I took a hike recently to Brasstown Falls in the small town of Westminster. I had been there tons of times but we didn’t tell the kids what we had planned. I packed a bag full of snacks, drinks, and loaded the car around 8am and we hit the road. It was so fun to make an adventure out of it. And, as we approach the leaves changing into vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange, it reminds me of how incredible the circle of life is. It’s the perfect time to savor the beauty of creation.
2. Attend a Harvest Festival
Ahhh… can’t you smell it now? Overpriced popcorn, funnel cakes and cotton candy take you down memory lane. Many communities host harvest festivals in the fall, which are wonderful alternatives to Halloween events- with no spooky things. You can enjoy pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes—all centered around the theme of abundance and gratitude. These festivals celebrate the blessings of the harvest season, bringing your family closer to God’s provision.
3. Create Faith-Based Fall Traditions
One tradition I've really struggled with letting go is pumpkin carving. Here's a throwback to the first pumpkin we carved with Grayson 2 years ago. I can't wait to incorporate this new idea I stumbled upon called the The Pumpkin Parable, a unique way to combine pumpkin carving with the gospel message. This activity allows your family to carve a pumpkin while discussing how God cleans out our hearts and fills us with His light. You can find the full instructions in the Joyful Life Community, but it's a fun, engaging way to share your faith with your kids.
4. Craft a Gratitude Tree
A simple yet powerful tradition is creating a "Thankfulness Tree." Each family member writes what they are grateful for on a found leaf or a paper leaf and adds it to the tree throughout the season. It’s a wonderful visual reminder to count our blessings and give thanks to God during the harvest season.
5. Host a Family Feast
Nothing says fall like gathering around the table with loved ones. Host a fall-themed feast featuring your favorite seasonal foods.
In late August every year, we take a trip to the mountains for apple picking at our favorite orchard- Sky Top in Hendersonville, North Carolina. We get so excited about bringing home 30lbs of honey crisp apples and making apple everything- pie, crisp, donuts, cinnamon apple bread… the list goes on. It's that time of year when the air gets cool that I start to crave wassail and hot apple cider. I hope you find ways to incorporate your family scents and tastes into your festivities this fall! I'm finding this season extra sentimental since Hurricane Helene wiped out the neighboring towns to our favorite family orchard.
6. Serve Others
Fall can also be a season of giving and compassion. Get your kids involved by creating care packages for those in need, raking leaves for elderly neighbors, or hosting a supply drive for those affected by recent tragedies. A fun twist on this is the Reverse Trick-or-Treat, where instead of receiving candy, your family bakes treats and delivers them to first responders or neighbors.
7. Faith-Focused Decorations
Decorating for fall can be a fun way to bring the season into your home while reflecting your values. Instead of bats and cobwebs, focus on fall leaves, pumpkins, and harvest-themed decor that highlights God's provision. Swap out your regular home accents for autumn colors and harvest symbols that reflect the season’s beauty.
8. Family Fall Crafting
Get creative with fall crafts like leaf collecting, shadow box nature displays, or decorating pumpkins without the spooky themes. You can make this a family activity that encourages creativity and allows you to incorporate elements of faith.
Celebrating fall without Halloween doesn’t mean missing out on the joy of the season—it’s simply an opportunity to embrace it in a way that aligns with your faith. From savoring nature to creating meaningful family traditions, there are countless ways to celebrate this beautiful time of year.
I’d love to hear how you and your family are celebrating fall, so feel free to share your ideas in the comments or over in the Joyful Life Community! Let’s continue to inspire each other with fall traditions that bring us closer to God.
As you walk through this season, may you find peace, joy, and opportunities to draw closer to God. Remember, every season is an opportunity to reflect His light in all we do. Keep seeking joy, and happy fall, y'all!
Show Links:
Join our free Joyful Life Community
Download The Joyful Life Goal Planner
Join our the Joyful Life Insiders Community
Subscribe to our Blog
Thanks so much for stopping by! We so enjoy sharing our life alongside you. We are so grateful to each of you reading and being a part of our life and our story! We hope to be part of yours, too! And, we'd love to connect.
Sign up for our newsletter and all the things. Join our free Joyful Life Community!
With joy,