Things to Do in October
Like L M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers”! The leaves have begun to change in earnest and I start to feel it’s time to draw hearthside with family and friends. Get yourself and your family ready for the cooler weather and the busy holiday season to come with these ideas for great things to to in October.
Things To Do In October – Wardrobe and Self Care
Shop your closet and update your winter wardrobe
Is your winter coat still in good condition? If so, see if you have a pretty scarf on hand that might give it a new lease of life. Make sure your boots are still up to cold weather and rain as well. If you need a new coat or boots, there are lots of pre-season sales on now. Bring cool weather clothes closer to the front of your wardrobe or store your summer gear in a spare closet if you have room.
Get your family ready for the cooler weather to come
Has everyone in the family got winter coats, boots, hats and mittens that fit? There is nothing like discovering your child’s coat is too small on the first cold day of the year! As children grow so fast and are usually too big for their clothes before they are worn out, why not have a coat/cold weather clothing and accessories exchange with friends who have kids of similar ages? It can save a fortune and is good for the environment as well. If you do need to go shopping, now is the time as there is a wider selection of styles and colours available than there will be later in the year.
Adjust your skin care routine
When the weather changes, your skin care needs change too. You may find you need more moisture in the winter months or perhaps a product to calm the redness cold weather can cause in sensitive skin. If you are not already using an eye cream, now is definitely the time to start. Use a hand and body cream every day to prevent dryness. Remember kids have dry and sensitive skin too so make sure you have products available for them to use as well.
Restock the medicine cabinet
This is one of the most important things to do in October. As well as the risk of Covid-19, it’s cold and flu season again. Make sure you have over the counter remedies on hand to treat minor cases of cold and flu in children and adults. It’s also a good time to check there are no out of date medicines and that your first aid kit is fully restocked.
Buy new toothbrushes
When did you last change your toothbrush? If it’s more than 3 months ago, it’s time for a new one. Also keep fresh toothbrushes on hand. You should always change your toothbrush after a bout of Covid, cold or flu.
Things to Do in October – Home
Make your home cosy for the cooler months
Now is a great time to freshen up your home for fall and winter. De-clutter your home where you can and do a deep clean – or book a professional cleaner to do it for you. My late mom always taught me to open the windows and air the beds every morning before they are made. It’s a good idea, especially now. If it’s super cold, even just a few minutes is fine. Just be sure to close the door of the room so the rest of the house doesn’t chill down too much.
Change beds once a week, more often if someone is not well as germs can lurk on the sheets.
Display an autumn wreath on your door or enjoy some colour fall flower arrangements. (The arrangement in this photograph is by Green Parlour.) Fall is rich with inspiration if you enjoy decorating your home for the seasons.
Also, be sure to take care of any outdoor maintenance before it gets too cold, including getting your garden ready for the winter.
Things to Do in October – Fitness
Get out and enjoy the weather when it’s nice
Get outside whenever time and weather permit and encourage your kids to do likewise. Walking is great exercise and with the dwindling light we need to get as much vitamin D as we can while we can. Wrap up warm and enjoy exploring with younger kids or take the opportunity for a long walk and a chat with older ones. It’s a great way to clear your head and enjoy some time together as well as keep fit.
Other great things to do in October outside include visiting a pick your own apple orchard or pumpkin patch, exploring the gardens of stately homes (in the UK, the Royal Horticultural Society and National Trust have lots of gardens you can visit) or taking part in a local parkrun.
Things to Do in October – Pre-Holiday Preparation
Update your address book and think about Christmas greetings
Go through your address book and make sure you have an up to date list of everyone who you will be sending cards or gifts over the holiday period. If you have family and friends abroad you should definitely do this before the end of the month.
It may seem early, but if you are planning to send Christmas cards with a photograph on them or include photos in a Christmas letter, start to go through your camera roll and see if you have good photos to use. If not, now is a great time to have some taken.
Whatever you do this month, I hope you embrace the season and really enjoy all the great things to do in October.
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