The Fall Forage: Our Family’s Autumn Tradition

Every family has traditions that become part of their story.

For some, it’s opening pajamas on Christmas Eve. For others, it’s camping every Memorial Day or baking grandma’s pie every Thanksgiving.

This year, our family is beginning a new tradition that I hope our daughter remembers long after she’s grown.

We’re calling it The Fall Forage.

It isn’t about avoiding someone else’s traditions. It’s about intentionally creating one of our own.

What Is the Fall Forage?

The Fall Forage is our family’s way of celebrating the beauty of autumn through imagination, creativity, and time together.

And yes…

We still wear costumes.

In fact, making the costume might become our favorite part.

My own grandmother and I made costumes together when I was little, and those are some of my sweetest memories. I don’t remember every piece of candy I collected, but I remember creating something with someone I loved.

That’s the feeling I want to pass on.

Our Fall Forage Tradition

Each October we will:

🍂 Make a storybook costume together.

🌲 Wander through the woods or a favorite park.

🦊 Forage for colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, feathers, and other little treasures nature has to offer.

🍬 Hide treats for our daughter to discover along the way—an autumn treasure hunt instead of a race from house to house.

📷 Take an epic storybook family portrait.

🥣 Come home for a cozy meal, warm drinks, and stories.

I’m looking forward to watching our little explorer grow.

Why We Chose This Tradition

As parents, we know we can’t shelter our children from every part of the world. But we can choose what we cultivate in our home.

We want our family traditions to reflect the things we hope our daughter carries into adulthood:

• Wonder

• Gratitude

• Creativity

• Time together

• A love for God’s beautiful creation

• Memories made with family

Those are the things we hope she’ll remember.

Maybe You’ll Start One Too

Whether your family celebrates Halloween, prefers a church harvest festival, or simply loves spending time outdoors, there is something special about creating traditions that belong uniquely to your family.

Maybe your version looks completely different from ours.

Or maybe this year you’ll pack a basket, make a costume, wander through the trees, and begin your own Fall Forage.

Either way, I hope your autumn is filled with crisp leaves, warm soup, laughter, and memories worth keeping.

Happy Fall Foraging. 🍂