With fall on its way to Michigan, there are several things you can do to romanticize the gorgeous fall season. Although I am talking about fall essentials, you also want to keep in mind your consumption. You don’t have to get $400 worth of Target fall decor and you don’t have to spend a ton of money on clothes you will only wear during fall. Instead, use things you have had in the back of your closet and thrift. I have found so many gems thrifting that you could never find in stores anymore. 

Here are some of my favorite fall essentials. First, starting with fashion and clothes are UGGs. Now you don’t have to have the brand UGG, but boots that look alike and have fur inside are crucial. Not only are they super cute with any outfit, but they are SO comfortable. I have never owned a pair of shoes more comfortable than my brown UGG boots. I also recently purchased the platform Tazz UGGs, and they are super cute. The UGG boots are still my favorite. They are a timeless classic and although the name brand is an investment, they really do last forever. I have been wearing the same pair of brown UGG boots since sixth grade. 

Some fashion that never seems to fade out are big chunky scarves. A few years ago infinity scarves were all the rage now the trend is chunky scarves. If you don’t want to buy one you can easily make one. Crocheting a scarf was my first crochet project, which is also a cute and cozy hobby perfect for fall.

Another fall fashion trend is sweaters. There are an abundance of beautiful hand-knit sweaters at Goodwill. My biggest tip is to go to the men’s section before the women’s because they tend to have the more oversized look that I see all over TikTok and Pinterest. 

The next category of fall essentials is home decor. I love decorating my apartment for fall and Halloween. My mom used to decorate every Halloween when my sister and I were at school and surprise us with it when we got home and off the bus. This is where my love of fall comes from. Goodwill, once again, is lowkey killing it with the fall and Halloween decor. It is super cheap and affordable. Target also has cheap fall decor. They have certain throw blankets and decorative pillows for only $10. 

My last fall tip is an activity, not an item: going to a pumpkin patch and or apple orchard. You are probably reading this like, “Um duh, that screams fall.” I wanted to remind you to go before it gets too cold out and the colorful leaves fall. This costs little to nothing (unless you buy a ton of pumpkins and donuts like me). My favorite pumpkin patch in Allendale is Post Family Farms. It is a few miles away from Grand Valley State University, and they make the BEST donuts I’ve ever had. They are homemade and freshly made several times a day. There are tons of pumpkins to choose from to find the perfect one to take home with you. They also have my personal favorite… goats. You can pay 25 cents and feed them food pellets. They are super cute and fun to pet and hang with. They also have horses, cows, chickens and pigs. If you go at certain times they have baby cows and pigs which are too cute. 

Fall is the perfect time to get cozy and spend time with the color-changing nature. Don’t let the pressure of social media influence you that you need a ton of things to make fall feel like fall. Get out your favorite decor, turn on some Gilmore Girls, light a candle and eat that pumpkin-glazed donut from the pumpkin patch, girl!