Everybody is about to head back to school after a long hot summer. So if you’re not a student, what do you do now? Essentially, you have two choices. First, you can stay at home and start watching the fall lineup of cable television programs. But you might get a little tired of American Idol and all the other reality shows. Second, you can start planning some exciting fall weekend getaways and parties. We’re guessing that most of you would rather go on a few cool mini-breaks, rather than spend the fall weekends watching the leaves change color in your backyard. So before you pack up the camping gear and start planning your winter holiday, check out our ideas for some fantastic fall fun!
Fall Parties
There are lots of reasons to have parties between the end of summer and the Christmas season. In fact, some of the best partying known to mankind has often occurred during the fall, as it is usually signals the beginning and end of harvesting. It may not sound like a big deal these days, but back in the day the fall harvest represented the end of 6 months of hard work as well as the food you would need to survive during the winter. So they had plenty of reasons to party, as do you. Here are a few suggestions by month.
September
September is a great month to throw a last BBQ party. One of the reasons it is so great to be outside in September is that it is usually cooler at night and bug free. To keep things warm, rent a few hot tubs or a portable sauna – and make sure you don’t drain the pool until this party is over. Then you can have a big bonfire when the sunsets, followed by repeated trips to the hot tub or pool. Any excuse to keep the ladies in bikinis for one more night is a good one!
October
Halloween is rapidly becoming one of the most important ‘holidays’ on the calendar, and locking yourself up as the pre-eminent Halloween party spot is key. There are lots of ways to make your party stand out from the rest.
1. Send out invite early. If you wait to long, then one of your friends might plan a party of their own. You want to make sure you get them first and early, so that you can eliminate the competition.
2. Pick a theme. Deep down inside, we all want to dress up in costumes. Make it mandatory at your party, and offer fun prizes for costume categories. ‘Pimps and Hos’ is pretty standard these days, but use your imagination and come up with something new. Why not old wedding attire? Or give everyone a $20 budget and tell them to bring the receipt – best costume wins the prize.
3. Sex it up! For the more risqué, try having a masked lingerie party. This works well with larger parties, and you can make it interesting by having guests guess whose face belongs with which body.
4. DJ, Dancing, Liquor & Food – go all out! You can even hire a few limos to shuttle your guests home at the end of the night. Remember, if you pull off an amazing party this year, you will become the go-to guy for Halloween parties from this point on. Plus, you can relax during the Christmas holidays, as everyone will be inviting you to their place.
November
If the weather is cold enough, November is a good month to have an outdoor themed party. Check out local skating rinks you can rent, and make sure you bring gear for a fire and cookout. In any case, you can set up a cool outdoor party just about anywhere, providing the temperature doesn’t get too cold. A few portable propane heaters, lots of booze, a roaring fire, and you are good to go.
Places To Go!
Aside from the parties, you can also try and get out of the city as much as possible. Fall is one of the best times for travel, as it is considered an off-season for most resorts and airlines, up until mid-December. Here are a few places and ideas to help you plan your next fall weekend getaway:
The Mountains
Ski season usually runs from early December to late spring, and the summer season runs from about early summer to mid-September. This leaves a window of opportunity for those who want to visit the mountains before the skiers and snowboarders take over. Prices are often a third to half of what they are during peak times, and you might be able to score an even better deal if you just show up unannounced. Plus, there is lots of things to do in the mountains in the fall (hiking, rafting, hunting, etc.), and the scenery will blow you away.
The Lake
Lots of people close up their cottages by the September long weekend, but the resorts usually stay open longer. The lake in the fall has loads to offer. First, the lake is usually warmer in the fall, as it heats up all summer long. Second, there are practically no bugs to speak of. Third, there will be less people out, so you won’t have to deal with crowds and families. Finally, you will get a better deal on a cottage or resort rental, as you are definitely hitting the lake during the start of a very long off-season.
The City
Not your city, but another city nearby. Fall is a great time to visit places LA, Vegas, New York or Chicago, as most of the Broadway Shows, TV Tapings, and other acts are all back from a summer hiatus. Plus, you won’t have to deal with the same types of crowds that you do in the summer, as families and students are back home for the fall semesters. Just keep an eye out for killer airline deals, as most major airlines offer discount fares from about mid-September to mid-December.
Final Thoughts
No matter what you do this fall, just keep your mind, ears, and eyes open for the unexpected. Lots of resorts, airlines, hotels, shows, and other venues use the fall as a promotional period, in their attempt to draw tourists in during their slowest time. So you can save money, have a great time, and avoid crowds all at the same time – how can you lose?
