ONE // Almond butter cinnamon mug cake
I miss licking raw batter with the aroma of freshly baking cookies wafting through the air. What’s a celebration without some food? Jump into the holiday season with these college-friendly recipes: pumpkin pie mug cake, easy raw apple pie, and pumpkin cream donut sandwiches. If you have the luxury of an oven or an open stove, try salted butter caramels, salted caramel pumpkin cheesecake, hard candy caramel apples, cinnamon pumpkin pancakes, apple pecan pie, and pumpkin spice cupcakes with maple bourbon cream cheese icing. If you’re looking for something more healthy, try the pumpkin protein bar. As you’re chewing away, consider feasting with a purpose.
TWO // Autumn sangria
Wash down those solids with honeycrisp apple sangria, pumpkin fizz cocktail, or (and?) a swamp spice flip cocktail. Don’t forget to throw in a monster cocktail stirrer! For the underage folk, mix up a candy corn mocktail or apple cider pomegranate mocktail. Give your stomach a warm hug with a pumpkin chai latte or pumpkin spice almond milk. If you’re looking for something healthier, try the pumpkin pie protein smoothie, or just suck it up (lol) and indulge in a salted caramel cookie dough smoothie.
THREE // Foliage decoupage pumpkins
Pumpkin carving is so last year. Carving pineapples is what it’s all about. Jk, but you only have two days until Halloween and you probably don’t have time to carve a pumpkin (or pineapple). No fear! There are so many easy no-carve pumpkin ideas (and some more). Plus, you won’t have to worry about your pumpkins molding into a sloppy mess. Get fancy with a DIY menu pumpkin. Want to take care of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all in one go? Try this fall pumpkin decor inspiration with terrain, AKA a pumpkin Christmas tree.
FOUR // Autumn garlands
All I could think about over the summer before moving into my college dorm was how I would decorate it with faerie lights. But don’t be basic. Instead, decorate with fall foliage, or get into the Halloween spirit with skull succulent planters and more decorated skulls. Got more time (and space) on your hands? Have a swamp soiree or just have a nice meal on a rich table for fall. Hand out spiced latte hand soap for goodies! Just need some me time? Settle down with an autumn playlist and make your house cozy.
FIVE // Wildly printable animal masks for kids
I hate to be the one showing up in some lame costume consisting of ambiguous animal ears and a monochrome outfit, but there’s only so much you can do in two days, considering that you still have school going on (lame). For the procrastinators like me, quick costumes can be built upon DIY masks like these woodland creatures felt masks. Or maybe you’d rather just paint a mask directly on your face; give people something to talk about with this alternative lace detail, so avant-garde. Got a little more time to invest and some friends to spare? Try this Pinocchio themed costume!