Fall is here, and winter is just around the corner. It’s a great time to get out of the house, but many of us are in a budget crunch with the holidays coming soon. Here are some fun activities you can enjoy while you save money.

Hikes And Nature Walks

This is the perfect time to enjoy the fall colors. Find your local parks and hiking trails. Many are open to the public all year long. Take a long walk in the brisk fall air, or enjoy a walk in the snow when winter comes. Things get hectic this time of year, and this is the perfect way to find some peace and mental clarity. Don’t forget your thermos of hot cocoa.

Have a Cool Weather Picnic or Bonfire

Throw on a sweater, pack some food, and grab a blanket. Picnics aren’t just for spring and summer. Enjoy one while the weather is refreshingly cool. As an alternative, you can plan a backyard bonfire. Grab marshmallows, hotdogs, sticks, and hot apple cider. Tell your friends to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard

This is a quintessential autumn activity. Even better, so many of these places are now set up for a full day of family fun. You’ll be able to pick apples or pumpkins, walk through beautiful orchards, take a hayride, and maybe even enjoy some games. Later, you can turn what you’ve picked into seasonal decorations or delicious food.

Arrange a Crafting Day For Holiday DIY Projects

You don’t have to spend tons of money to decorate for the fall and winter. There are plenty of DIY decorations you can make from inexpensive and found items. Even better, you can make an afternoon of it with your BFFs. Collect items like colored leaves, branches, and pinecones to make centerpieces or wreaths. Cut out paper snowflakes. Turn old holiday cards into collages.

Have a Themed Movie Night

This is a great time of year to snuggle up on the couch with popcorn, mulled wine, and blankets. All you need is a selection of  movies that fit a fall or winter theme. This would be an ideal choice for a second or third date with someone you meet on a dating site like this one.

Tackle a Reading Challenge

Have you started a fall/winter reading challenge? Head to the library and choose some books that have seasonal or holiday themes. Set a goal, and see if you achieve it before the end of the year.

Bake Seasonal Treats

Fall and winter flavors lend themselves so well to baked goods. You can try your hand at:

• Pumpkin or apple pie
• Apple butter
• Pumpkin bread
• Gingerbread cookies
• Peppermint bark
• Apple cider donuts

Enjoy these with your family or package them up as gifts! Homemade hot chocolate is always a great beverage of choice.

Volunteer Your Time

This is a beautiful time of year, but challenging for many. People struggle more when the weather turns cold, and the upcoming holidays can make loneliness intensify. There are places to find help, but those organizations are often low on resources. They need volunteers and donations. So, why not step up and see where your skills are most needed?

Check Out Local Holiday Events

Check out your local community calendar, and the areas around you too! Many local governments, community organizations, schools, and business associations hold seasonal events. These are fun, easy to access, and often very inexpensive. You could keep very busy this year attending:

• Holiday concerts
• Fall festivals
• Chili cook offs
• Winter markets
• Breakfast with Santa
• Christmas light displays

Go Stargazing

Winter skies are some of the clearest you’ll experience. Grab a telescope or binoculars. Don’t worry, most libraries will loan these out! Then, head outside to see what’s visible. Chances are, you’ll be able to make out some constellations and see a planet or two.

Don’t Let Your Budget Give You The Blues

There are plenty of things to do this fall and winter without breaking your budget. So, make plans to get together with people you love as you enjoy the cooler weather.