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Let’s just say it—fall in Arizona is…complicated. The internet is over there putting on scarves and sipping cider in front of fire pits, and we’re over here reapplying deodorant in the Starbucks drive-thru because it’s still 108 degrees.
But I love fall anyway.
And even though the leaves aren’t crunching under our boots (because we’re still in sandals), there’s something magical about marking the change of season in small, cozy ways. So if you’re craving that nostalgic fall feeling, here are ten Arizona-friendly fall traditions you can start this year. And for my readers who do live in a place where flannel makes sense before Thanksgiving—hang tight, there’s a little something for you at the end.
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1. Bake Something That Smells Like Fall
You don’t need cool weather to fill your house with cinnamon and spice. Pumpkin bread, snickerdoodles, apple crisp—anything that makes your kitchen smell like you live inside a candle. Bonus points if you light an actual candle too. (I see you, Bath & Body Works haul.)
2. Switch to Evening Walks
Mornings are still sweaty and the sun feels like a personal attack. But by evening, it’s…kind of nice? Make it a habit to get outside just before sunset and take in the dusky glow. Bring your drink, your dog, your podcast, whatever. It counts as fall if there’s even a slight breeze.
3. Decorate Your Porch (Even if It’s Fake)
Throw some mums, pumpkins (real or foam, no judgment), and a cozy doormat out front. It sets the tone. Even if the pumpkins bake into soup by mid-October, it’s still festive. My tip: place things in the shade and pretend it’s rustic when they shrivel.
My Fall Favorites
A curated collection of my fall favorites—cozy, charming decor pieces to bring a touch of autumn warmth into your home.
4. Fall Movie Nights Inside
Crank the A/C, grab a fuzzy throw, and watch fall-ish movies. Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, or even a cozy Halloween movie. Add popcorn with candy corn in it and you’re winning.
5. Celebrate the First Morning It’s Under 90
It’s a thing. Open the windows (briefly), make hot coffee, and act like you live in Vermont. You’ll have maybe two solid hours before the temperature bounces back, but it’s worth it. And every year, that morning feels like a gift.
6. Make a Fall Playlist
A little indie folk, some acoustic covers, a touch of Taylor Swift (Red, obviously). Put it on while you’re cooking, cleaning, or pretending to organize the closet. It sets a vibe, trust me.
7. Switch to Fall Mugs and Pajamas
This one is subtle but powerful. Pull out the cute mugs with pumpkins or leaves on them, swap the shorts for flannel PJ pants (inside, where it’s cold enough), and suddenly it feels like you’re doing fall.
8. Have a Fall Picnic (In the Shade)
Once it’s not triple digits, grab a blanket and take lunch outside. You don’t need crunchy leaves, just a shady spot and maybe a thermos of cider or soup. Bonus points for a book or a friend.
9. Make Something Seasonal
Craft a Halloween treat bag, make your own snack mix, or create a mini fall centerpiece. You don’t have to go full DIY mode (unless you want to that is), but doing something with your hands to mark the season helps it feel more real—even if the leaves on your tree are still green.
10. Start a Weekly Fall-ish Tradition
Every Sunday night, do chili and cornbread. Or Friday afternoons become your seasonal baking time (make sure to try out some new pumpkin recipes!). Maybe it’s Tuesday night movie marathons with Halloween candy. Whatever you pick, the magic is in the ritual.
And for Everyone Else…
If you’re lucky enough to live where fall actually falls—go ahead and pile on the layers, sip cider by the fire, jump in leaf piles, and take forest walks where the trees look like a Bob Ross painting.
We’ll be here cheering you on…from the shade in our shorts.
New fall traditions don’t have to be complicated. Start with one or two, make them yours, and let them evolve over the years. Whether you’re cozying up in the desert or crunching leaves in a northern forest, fall is more about how it feels than how it looks (trust me, haha).
And honestly? It can feel just right with a pumpkin candle, a good cookie, and an iced coffee—Arizona style.