Ten Things To Do in November

I recently read an American blog about 30 (thirty!!!) things to do in November. It felt a bit excessive with a full thirty points, but it turned out to include plenty of inspiring ideas. So, I distilled the essence and narrowed it down to ten points, a so-called November short list.

Enjoy!

Here are ten activities that capture the special feeling of autumn and the preparations for Christmas and winter. The goal is to inspire cozy moments, time to gather, and create memories with the family.

1. Thanksgiving Dinner
Take the best parts of the American tradition – the highlights of the feast – and create your own Thanksgiving dinner. Prepare classic dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, and ask the family to share what they are thankful for. Or skip the traditional dishes entirely and make your own version of a Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family. Eat and drink whatever you like – the important thing is to gather your loved ones and share your gratitude.

2. Bring Autumn Indoor
Collect and dry beautiful autumn leaves, branches, and pinecones to create crafts at home. Pick rowanberries as well. Press your finds, dry them for upcoming advent candle holders, make wreaths, leaf prints on paper, or decorations with glitter and glue. It’s perfect for kids of all ages.

Photo: Janne Ford

Wish for more?! We have gathered the most beautiful photos in a Pinterest collage called November List.

3. Build a Reading Corner
Create a cozy corner with blankets, pillows, and favorite books. Any time spent away from screens is a win. Everything is allowed in the reading nook: popcorn on a Tuesday, candy on a Thursday, luxurious scented candles, and endless cuddles. Engage all the senses – scent, taste, and sight.

4. Prepare for Christmas Early
Start with small steps, like putting up string lights or making homemade Christmas decorations from recycled materials. Get the kids involved in creating simple paper stars and Christmas cards. Discuss decoration themes and make a schedule to avoid the stress of first-advent.

5. Bake Together
It doesn’t matter much WHAT you bake. It’s the fact that you do it together. Healthy chocolate balls to freeze or the debut of this year’s first gingerbread baking. It’s a fun, creative, and educational activity where everyone can help, from measuring ingredients to decorating.

6. Fall-Themed Movie Night
Choose movies that capture the autumn vibe, such as Coco or the Harry Potter series, and cozy up with candles, a fruit platter, and warm blankets.

7. Plan the Advent Calendar
Create a personalized advent calendar with small notes (experiences), crafts, or gifts. But seriously, can we at least question if 24 small presents are really necessary? Maybe focus on four advent gifts/experiences instead. After all, what else should be left to wish for on Christmas Eve? Does it create more stress than it fosters something cozy? The countdown (if that’s the goal?) can be done in many different ways. The ultimate idea might be to have a warm tradition rather than forced consumption. Focus on spending time together, on things that have value, thoughtful content, something we need (or at least want) instead of forcing 24 meaningless little items.

8. Out in Nature
Take the family on a trip to the forest and enjoy the last colors of autumn. Breathe in the fresh air. Daylight is a limited resource. Pack hot chocolate and sandwiches for a picnic, and look for animal tracks or gather pine cones to take home for future crafts. See point 2.

9. Make Homemade Gifts
The goal is always a stress-free Christmas. And how do you avoid stress? By planning ahead and being prepared. So, make a list and get started. We try to encourage the kids to give gifts too. Suggest homemade gifts like scented candles, homemade jam, a voucher for a 20-minute at-home massage (very popular in our household), nice jars with cookie mix, or a letter that can become a memory for a lifetime. It’s a fun activity that teaches children the value of giving something handmade. A bonus tip is to have reasonable expectations, to achieve a peaceful Christmas.

10. Paper Flowers & Bows
Last year’s big Christmas trend was paper flowers and bows – simple, beautiful details that give your holiday decorations a personal and unique touch. Crafting your own decorations is both fun and budget-friendly, and it’s perfect for a cozy family activity.

Paper flowers can be made in various sizes and colors to match your style. Use tissue paper, colored paper, or repurpose old newspapers for a more rustic feel. Fold, cut, and shape the paper into beautiful flowers that you can use to decorate the tree, presents, or as table decorations. Everlasting paper flowers also make a lovely gift, see point 9.

Bows are also easy to make and can take your presents to a whole new level. All you need is ribbon. Here, your imagination is your only limit. The most beautiful satin ribbons and lots of inspiration can be found from Silk & Willow.

With these ideas, you can create valuable memories and get a great start to the upcoming winter season. November is all about embracing the small moments and enjoying time together!