The changing seasons brings about a lot of mixed emotions: sadness that summer has ended, anxiety for the upcoming school year, annoyance that there's already rows of Halloween candy at the grocery store and relief that the weather will finally start cooling down.
Perhaps you're one of those who is absolutely ecstatic that fall has come around once again. If you aren't, here are 20 reasons why fall is the best season of the year.
1. Back to school
Let's face it, one of the major reasons fall is the best is because the kids are back in school. You can finally get away from the littles and have some peace and quiet, as well as time for yourself to finish what you've put off all summer.
2. Changing colors
High on the list are the changing colors of the trees. Seeing the cities and valleys decorated in swathes of red, orange, yellow and gold is definitely a highlight of the season. What would fall even be like without all of the bright colors?
3. Long drives, walks or hikes
What better way to see all of the pretty colors than go for a long drive in your city, or walk around the neighborhood or park? Even better, take a hike up a canyon! Not only will the weather be cooler, but you'll get to see nature at its most beautiful and colorful.
4. Bonfires
Fall is a fantastic time to have a bonfire with friends and family. Roast some hot dogs and marshmallows, eat some s'mores, tell campfire stories, sing some songs, cuddle with your significant other and enjoy the time spent in each other's company.
5. Playing in the leaves
When you rake leaves into giant piles, the only logical thing to do is to jump in them. When you've finished playing in the leaves, put them in fun Halloween-themed bags that you can put on display for your outdoor Halloween or fall decorations.
6. Sweater weather
The 100+ degree heat has finally come to an end, and the cooler, 60 degree weather sets in during the fall. Colder weather means not sweating up a storm every time you go outside. Instead we get to don sweaters, and lots of them.
7. Boots
Fall brings about more rain and stormy weather, which means rain boots and umbrellas. Rain boots are definitely the way to go to not only protect yourself from puddles of rain, but you'll look great too. They're also super fun to splash in.
8. Scarves
Scarves have reigned in fall fashion for years. Whether it's a regular wraparound or an infinity scarf, they're the perfect fall accessory that will make you look good but also keep you warm.
9. Fall TV
If you're not excited for fall TV, then you're missing out. With returning TV shows like "The Flash," "Supergirl," "The Voice," "American Horror Story" and "The Walking Dead," we'll be sure sure to have our hands full.
Not to mention these enticing new shows to look out for: "Pitch," "Designated Survivor," "This Is Us" and Marvel's "Luke Cage," just to name a few.
10. Football
Fall is notoriously known as the beginning of football season. From little league to the NFL, everyone is gearing up for their favorite teams to play, prepping their fantasy football leagues and making Super Bowl predictions.
11. Fall harvest
Once you've harvested the produce from your garden, you can make canned goods, freeze vegetables, freeze-dried fruit and more! You can even use those old, dry corn stalks to decorate your front porch for fall.
12. Corn mazes
There are fun, themed corn mazes popping up all over the country, and they make for a great date night. Here's a list of corn mazes across the country.
13. Hot drinks
From pumpkin-flavored coffee (like the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks) to the return of hot chocolate, hot drinks are sure to keep you warm and also fill your stomach with happiness.
14. Pumpkin-flavored everything
Pumpkin flavored everything is coming, but that's nothing to be scared about. In fact, pumpkin is arguably the best delicacy of the season. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pie fudge ...
15. Pumpkins in general
Fall would be nothing without pumpkins. Pumpkins have many useful purposes, like taking pictures of babies in a hollowed pumpkin, carving jack-o'-lanterns to put on display, decorating your front porch or making yummy treats. Pumpkins are easily fall's mascot.
16. Halloween
If you don't find Hallowwen great because you get to dress up as your favorite characters, then you'll probably think it's pretty awesome for the candy. You can eat Halloween candy weeks (even months) before October 31st, and maybe leave some for the trick-or-treaters.
17. Haunted houses
Make the most of haunted houses by getting a good laugh out of a good scare. Let your man pretend he isn't scared so he can get close to you and (kind of) protect you from the scary people. Nightmares Fear Factory in Niagara Falls, Canada, produces some pretty funny pictures like this one.
18. NaNoWriMo
One of the lesser known great things about fall is the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The goal: Write a novel (50,000 words) in 30 days. If you've always wanted to write a book, November is your time. Join a community of millions around the world and take the novel-writing plunge.
19. Thanksgiving
The tail end of fall brings about another great holiday, Thanksgiving. Bring on the turkey, stuffing, cranberries, rolls and pumpkin pie, go in for round two and even play a little football with your family.
20. Being thankful
Thanksgiving isn't complete without being thankful. Take time during the season to make a list of all the things you're thankful for. You'll be surprised how long the list grows. Your eyes will open to all of the wonderful things you have and all of the great people you have to spend your life with.
