How to Still Enjoy October when You're Not a Fan of Halloween

Growing up, I never celebrated Halloween. I dressed up once as a fairy ballerina when I was three-years-old, but that was the extent of it. I have zero emotional investment in the holiday. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Halloween and all things spooky. However, I personally dislike horror movies and anything that incites fear. Thus, I'm not a fan of Halloween. Since I usually spend Halloween night (and sometimes the nights to follow) watching Psych re-runs with my family or scrolling through Instagram to see who dressed as what, I decided to make this list of fun and seasonal things to do in October that don't relate to Halloween.

The things on this list are not ordinarily what you would expect to do during October. Correct me if I'm wrong, but usually you plan on chilling at home as much as possible, watching a series or two on Netflix, and chilling at home some more. Trust me, I've been there. I'm still kind of there, so this list is for myself as much as it is for whoever is reading it.

Speaking of which, dear reader, please don't hate me because I said I'm not invested in Halloween. It's nothing personal.

1. Bake something you've never tried homemade. I've always wanted to attempt homemade donuts. My sister makes homemade macaroons, and my dad's thing is homemade ice cream.

2. Go to a pumpkin patch, preferably in your favorite fall outfit and with a friend. Take as many photos as you can!

3. Throw a fall food party. I did this one year and it was one of the best nights of my life, with just a bunch of people with a great excuse to overeat and hangout for a whole evening. I made a pumpkin pie dip for pretzel sticks and apples, cupcakes, cookies, and, of course, the main entré was chili.

4. Figure out what your favorite coffee is and from where—from a real and local coffeehouse, not Starbucks. October is the perfect month to screw up that teeth-whitening treatment you got in June, with plenty of time to re-treat before Christmas.

5. Go camping. Or at least glamping. I haven't been camping since my childhood and every year around this time I wish I was anywhere but my house.

6. Stock up on fall and winter clothes. Don't settle for the same sweaters and jackets you've been wearing for years. I would suggest H&M, Mango, and, of course, Target.

7. Start planning that Friendsgiving you promised yourself you would host one year. I promised myself I would throw one last year and never did, but I've nearly doubled my friends since the last Thanksgiving. Maybe it's time to break out my cookbook, aka my Pinterest.

8. Go hiking or rock-climbing. October is gorgeous and it's the perfect month to enjoy the outdoors. (However, I would suggest indoor rock-climbing, unless you're an extreme adrenaline junkie.)

9. Start a classic movie or vinyl collection. The only two classic movies I own so far are Clueless and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. When shopping for vinyls, I would suggest thrift stores and flee markets.

10. Host a small bonfire, or at least a fire-pit party with s'mores. I had an impromptu fire-pit gathering last week after a football game and it was a blast. I only had four friends and my sister there, but it was a very memorable night.

If you made it this far without rolling your eyes into the back of your head at my lack of jaw-dropping and exciting suggestions, I thank you on behalf of your eyes and myself.

(None of the above photos are mine.)