Ways To Spend The Month Of November

With Thanksgiving and Halloween behind us, we now find ourselves in this in-between of getting ready for the festive season and not being overly eager.

This year while I was shopping for last minute Halloween decorations at home sense, I noticed that the shelves were already filled with Christmas items- table runners, wreaths, candles, blankets, pillows. Halloween spirit was still in full swing and I had yet to have my Hocus Pocus marathon. Although I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the halloween items were 50% off, I was still bummed that Halloween still hadn’t come and already Christmas was plastered everywhere.

This got me thinking- of only surface conveniences, I’m keeping most topics on this blog light, that the holiday distribution in October for Canadians is rushed. We celebrate Thanksgiving early on in the month. If you’re scratching your head as to why Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October is because it is said that is when the Canadian harvest would be complete. So we have the first half of October focused on Thanksgiving and the second half focused on spooky Halloween leaving us with whole lot of nothing in November except for itching to put our Christmas tree’s up.

Consider the list we’ve complied of top tier autumnal activities…

1. It is totally acceptable to start listening to Christmas tunes. Don’t listen to what the scrooges of the World have to say.
   
2. Begin indulging in Starbucks holiday drink line-up. Starting Nov. 3 Starbucks’ holiday sips are available with old reliables like the peppermint mocha, caramel brûlée latte and chestnut praline latte with the return for a second year the nondairy iced (or hot) sugar cookie latte.
   
3. Bring out the charcuterie and red wine in the evenings with friends or your s/o. Have a fireplace? Move around some furniture and get cozy.
   
4. Swap out all those pumpkin spice and apple crisp scented candles for balsam & cedar or crushed candy cane.
   
5. Eat dinners that only come from recipe guides titled “winter warmers”- temperatures are dropping and we are only interested in hardy, stick-to-your-ribs dinners.
   
6. Bring out your electric blanket or really consider purchasing on this year. I hear they’re the best thing since sliced bread.
   
7. Get an autumn inspired mani to match the seasonal colours and your fall wardrobe of cozy sweaters and scarves that could double as blankets. WIN!
   
8. Watch My Policeman starring Harry Styles on Amazon Prime and immediately catch wanderlust feels for Brighton Beach.
   
9. Switch your Spotify listening to something more jazzy and moody. May we suggest vintage autumn jazz? Great for hours of background music while you watch leaves fall.
   
10. You’re still working from home even if its in the comfort of your bed or couch. We understand that some mornings are going to be tougher to get out of bed with grey skies and near freezing temperatures.
    
11. Call on your girl tribe, pop some popcorn and watch Little Women for the ultimate pre Christmas preparation.
    
12. Panettone for breakfast? Nothing wrong with that.
    
13. Novembers and Christmas Parades (as well as lighting ceremonies) go hand-in-hand so find out the closest one happening in your community.
    
14. All the leaves likely fallen so it’s a great time to bundle up, grab some apple cider and go for a hike to absorb all the last bit of fall sights and smells.
    
15. Now is a great time to clean out your closet- items from the spring/summer that you don’t wish to bring out next year.
    
16. Have a pie bake-off with your friends. If pie isn’t your thing, cookies work wonderfully for this activity as well!
    
17. Fall is the time to pickle & jar. Whether you’re pickling your favorite veggies for the winter (think pickles, carrots, cabbage or even asparagus) or making jams with your favorite berries and fruit. This could double wonderfully as stocking stuffers for Christmas.
    
18. The W Network has started they’re countdown to Christmas feature Hallmark Christmas movie classic…mostly back-to-back from morning to evening. HELLLLO!
    
19. Who says because summer sips are behind us that we cannot change out pallets to enjoy something more, dare we say, hardy? Attend a beer, wine or cider festival.
    
20. Add those cute mini, easy to peel oranges in your baskets.
    
21. And lastly, start scheduling and buying tickets for events coming up in December. We like spontaneity but scheduled hang-outs are wonderful and memorable as well!