Day 3 of Blogtober and the suggested prompt is “Unexpected Fall Traditions Around the World”. Instead, I’m going to share with you our family Autumn Traditions here in Wales, many will be expected to you, but perhaps one or two will be unexpected as all our lives are different.
Harvest
When I was young, at this time of year, we always celebrated the Harvest Festival, both in church and at school. It’s a time to say thank you for the harvest and to the farmers who produce our food and Christians also thank God. In the UK it’s traditionally celebrated on the Sunday closest to the harvest moon, which is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox (this year Harvest falls on Sunday 6th October 2024). Schools tend to celebrate it on the most suitable day for them during the first half of the Autumn term.
In the past, we were asked to bring in fresh food and in particular the harvest from our own fields and gardens. We would walk up the aisle, sometimes to “Tha-ah-ank You Lord (for Giving us Food)” being played on the church organ or school piano played repeatedly, in church and place our vegetables, sometimes carried in baskets, on the table on the altar. Eventually, it would be full to the brim with fresh vegetables. I can picture a table full of vegetables of all shapes, sizes and colours, a rainbow of food. Sacks of potatoes would be placed around the table on the floor. I always liked seeing the fresh sweetcorn, still in its husk, as I suppose it was the only time I saw them like that at the time. There were also huge marrows and cauliflowers and the tastiest-looking red tomatoes. After the service, this food would be donated to old people’s homes or other people in need.
In later years, particularly in some schools, for practical reasons, we were asked to donate tinned food instead so it kept longer but it just wasn’t the same seeing a table of tins than seeing (and smelling) all the fresh vegetables. Of course, this food was appreciated by those it was donated to. While I was teaching, we still accepted fresh vegetables and many of our pupils lived on farms so it was a beautiful harvest. I had the job of driving the food to the local old people’s home and the manager, cook and residents really were so grateful for this bounty of wonderful fresh vegetables, they were going to use for their roast and soups and stews that week, it was always heartwarming to see.
Autumn Walks
All year round we go on walks but at this time of year we have to go on an “Autumn walk” lol, it’s such a beautiful time of year to see all the Autumn colours.
Blackberry Picking
I always think of blackberry picking as an Autumn activity, however, you can go blackberry picking from late summer into early October. Then afterwards, another one of our Autumn traditions is to make and eat Blackberry Crumble or pie.
Collecting Conkers
Another Autumn tradition is to look for conkers. Years ago, we did this to play conkers but nowadays we look for them to decorate the house or to prevent spiders. There is an old wive’s tale that putting conkers in the corners of the room keeps spiders away. Some people say that conkers or horse chestnuts, as they are also known, contain a natural substance called saponin, which repels spiders. However, studies have shown they don’t mind them and are happy to walk all over them.
Making Autumn Wreaths
At this time of year, my mum, sisters and I like to make Autumn wreaths to decorate our front doors or our home. It’s such good fun. You can forage for natural materials (dry them first) or use craft supplies. We also like to make Christmas wreaths together.
Campfire and S’mores on the Beach
Rebecca really wanted to do a campfire on the beach for her party on Saturday, but of course, you can’t plan the weather, can you? So, we ‘have hired a hall. But, as soon as we’re free and it’s a nice evening we will head down the beach for an impromptu fire and make s’mores together. It can be harder to get outdoors during autumn and winter so you have to make the most of the times you can.
Swimming at Sunrise and Sunset
Another autumn tradition for me and the girls is reviving our beach swims as the beaches are quieter after summer (we are a bit selfish and do love it when we have the sea to ourselves!). We haven’t been yet which is unlike us but it’s been a busy time. Once Becca’s birthday is out of the way it’s time to get our bathers (and wooly hats!) on.
Stargazing
One of the things I love about the nights drawing in during Autumn is we can stargaze earlier. We’re lucky that Pembrokeshire has eight designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites and even though our home isn’t officially in one it’s a great place to stargaze with very minimal light pollution. One clear night, we will pack hot chocolates and blankets and drive to Kete, Dale to watch the stars together.
See an Autumn Show
Every year I look forward to the new Autumn production at our local theatre, the Torch Theatre. This year they are celebrating 10 years and 200 performances of Grav, so reshowing that instead. However, our well-loved local amateur theatre, St Katharines Stratford Players, are putting on Matilda, which we love so we are looking forward to seeing that. I think it’s the first time Matilda will have been shown on stage in my town and I’m so pleased as when I saw it I felt like it’s one of those shows every child (if they like that sort of thing) should get the chance to see.
Pumpkin Picking
Regular readers know we love to go pumpkin picking in October for pumpkins to carve and decorate the house. We will miss visiting our local farm shop, Steynton Farm as they are now back to being just a working farm (no longer a farm shop. So we’ll yet again have to choose our new favourite pumpkin-picking patch in Pembrokeshire (our original favourite pumpkin patch, Brooksgrove Farm, closed years ago too).
Watching Spooky Films
As soon as October begins it’s time to watch spooky films together- I love it. Here’s a list of family spooky films in case you need inspiration.
Getting Cosy
It’s time to get cosy in Autumn. Light the candles, snuggle under a blanket or duvet on the settee and enoy a mug of hot chocolate.
Planning Halloween Costumes
This month, another of our traditions is to start planning our Halloween costumes in case things need to be bought or made.
Halloween Gigs
Years ago, one of our Autumn traditions was to have a Halloween gig. We’ve missed them for a few years, so I’m so excited that this year Dave’s band, Concrete Beach are putting on a Halloween Gig again. It will be very interesting as three out of four of our kids are now old enough to attend!
Celebrating Halloween
An important part of our Autumn traditions is celebrating Halloween. You can read about our Halloween Traditions here.
Autumn Birthdays
In our family we celebrate Caitlyn’s, Rebecca’s, Uncle Gary’s, Aunty Ceri’s, Gran’s and Nanny’s birthday during the autumn.
Bonfire Night
On 5th November we attend a Fireworks Display to continue our Bonfire Night tradition. Read about my childhood memories of Bonfire Night in this old blog post (sorry some photos/videos are not showing. The post was written for Blogtober 2013- over ten years ago now!). Read about a past bonfire night with my own family here.
These autumn traditions take us through to Winter and then it’s the build-up to Christmas (and Isabelle’s birthday).
What are your autumn traditions?
Read more: Blogtober posts
Some great traditions there, I haven’t been pumpkin picking for years. I miss the harvest festival they used to have at primary school. I used to take my kids to church when they were little but we never ‘found’ our place since moving house. Almost all our birthdays are in the summer, we have 4 in six weeks from last day in June until August.
Author
Oh, my own birthday is in the summer but I’m the only one! I’m not religious but I miss going to church for the routine, stories, lessons, community, kindness and mostly the singing! xxx
Loving your Autumn traditions, I do not think I have seen a conker tree in a long time since the kids were little
Author
Thanks, I think the traditions get us through this season xxx