Things to Do in October – Cosy Ideas For At Home and Away

Like L M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers”! The month is ripe with possibility – there are so many things to do in October! Here are some of my favourite uplifting ideas – including delicious food, autumn outings, cosy activities, self-care and fall decor for your home.

Fun and Practical Things To Do In October

Get Creative

• This is a great time of year to try something new, whether that’s journalling at home, taking a watercolour or sketching class or learning how to make pottery or jewellery. You are never too old to learn something new, and creativity is good for the soul.
  
• Why not try something new like an Autumn Floral Class? In the photograph at the top of this post, I am pictured at a pumpkin arrangement making class I booked at Green Parlour. It was so much fun, and I had a lovely fall arrangement to take home afterwards.

Refresh and update your wardrobe

• Bring cool weather clothes closer to the front of your wardrobe or store your summer gear in a spare closet if you have room.
  
• Really look at what you have before you buy anything new. If your winter coat is still in good condition and you don’t want to buy a new one, you could see if you have a pretty scarf on hand that might give it a fresh lease of life.
  
• Consider adding some colour to your fall wardrobe. A bright scarf and gloves or colourful coat really can give you a lift on a grey day.
  
• Find more ideas to help you refresh and update your wardrobe here.

Is your family ready for cooler weather?

• Has everyone in the family got winter coats, boots, hats and mittens that fit? There is nothing like discovering your child’s coat is too small on the first cold day of the year!
  
• Why not have a coat/cold weather clothing and accessories exchange with friends who have kids of similar ages? Kids grow so fast and wearing pre-loved clothes can save a fortune and is good for the environment as well.
  
• If you do need to go shopping, now is the time as there is a wider selection of styles and colours available than there will be later in the year.

Things To Do In October – Focus on Self Care

Adjust your skin care routine

When the weather changes, your skin care needs change too.

• You may find you need more moisture in the winter months or perhaps a product to calm the redness cold weather can cause in sensitive skin.
  
• If you are not already using an eye cream, now is definitely the time to start.
  
• Use a hand and body cream every day to prevent dryness. I like to keep a bottle of hand cream beside every sink, just to remind me to apply it.
  
• Remember children may have dry and sensitive skin too so make sure you have kid-appropriate products available.
  
• Check out more of my fall beauty tips here.

Restock the medicine cabinet

• Make sure you have over the counter remedies on hand to treat minor cases of cold and flu in children and adults.
  
• This is also a good time to check there are no out of date medicines. Take them to your chemist or pharmacy for disposal.
  
• Be sure to check that your first aid kit is in date and fully restocked if you have used any of the components. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit in any cars you drive as well as in your home. This is the first aid kit that I purchased for our home and cars this year (affiliate link).
  
• When did you last change your toothbrush? If it’s more than 3 months ago, it’s time for a new one. Keep fresh toothbrushes on hand so you can change toothbrushes after any illness.

Things to Do in October – Home Decor

Make your home cosy for the season

Now is a great time to freshen up your home for fall and winter or try some of my fall decorating ideas. 

Display an autumn wreath on your door or enjoy some colour fall flower arrangements. (Both the arrangement in the photograph above and the wreath below were designed by Green Parlour.)

Or pile some squash or gourds in a pretty bowl and display them on a table. Fall is rich with inspiration if you enjoy decorating your home for the seasons.

I love this pumpkin display at Langdon Hall Hotel in Cambridge, Ontario. I don’t have a porch, but I have used this display as inspiration for decorating my doorways and doorsteps.

Also, be sure to take care of any outdoor maintenance before it gets too cold, including getting your garden ready for the winter.

Things To Do In October – Homemaking

Decluttering and Deep Cleaning

• This is a great time to do a little de-cluttering. I like to set a timer for 20 to 30 minutes and just do a drawer here and there. Little by little, everything comes together, and the more organised I get, the calmer my home feels.
  
• Divide your home into sections and deep clean one room at a time over the next few weeks. Or, if your budget allows, you could book a professional deep clean.
  
• You may want to have carpets shampooed as well, depending on their age. Do this before the weather gets too cold and damp.

Make Bedrooms a Sanctuary

• Add cushions and throws or blankets to make beds look extra cosy and encourage snuggling up.
  
• Change beds once a week, more often if someone is not well as germs can lurk on the sheets.
  
• Keep bedrooms fresh by open the windows to air the beds for 10 to 15 minutes every morning before they are made. If it is really cold, then even a few minutes is fine. In cooler weather, I close the bedroom doors when airing the room so the house does not get cold.

Embrace Seasonal Cooking and Autumn Flavours

• This is a good time to sort through cupboards and pantries to make sure everything is in date and you have all you need.
  
• Make sure the oven is clean ready for fall celebrations and Christmas.
  
• Start thinking about comfort food recipes and bring your slow cooker (affiliate link) out of the cupboard if you have not already. My favourite slow cooker recipes include Short Ribs in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce, Honey and Garlic Chicken and this Chinese Style Beef recipe.
  
• And if you love baking as much as I do, I have some wonderful Fall Baking Recipes for Cosy Days.

Getting Out and About

Outdoor Adventures

• Get outside whenever time and weather permit. Walking is great exercise and with the dwindling light we need to get as much vitamin D as we can. If you have kids or grandkids, this is a great opportunity for connection and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
  
• Try a “walk and talk” with a friend. It’s such a great way to catch up in person or on the phone if friends are far away. (Be sure to stay aware of your surroundings when wearing headphones.) It’s a great way to clear your head and enjoy some time together as well as keep fit.
  
• October is the perfect time to visit stately homes, castles and gardens. In the UK, the Royal Horticultural Society and National Trust have lots of gardens open to visit.
  
• Take part in a parkrun or charity walk or run.
  
• And of course, this is the perfect time to visit a pick your own apple orchard or pumpkin patch!

Rainy Day Adventures

• Museums and galleries are wonderful places to visit on days when the weather is not at its best. It can be fun to make a bucket list of museums and galleries you have always wanted to visit and work your way through them during the fall and winter months.
  
• Explore a historic property, stately home or castle.
  
• If you are looking for something a little more active, you can always visit a local pool or indoor tennis court. I’ve added trying pickleball to my fall bucket list!

Get Ready for Christmas

I’m not suggesting you break out the tinsel here, but if you do a few little things now, you will be able to enjoy the holiday season more when it arrives.

• Get ahead with some Christmas baking – Christmas cakes and puddings can be made anytime now. Or make some slice and bake cookie rolls and keep them in the freezer ready to bake closer to the time. I have lots of Christmas Ideas and Recipes on the website to inspire you!

• Go through your address book or contacts and make sure you have an up to date list of everyone who you will be sending cards or Christmas gifts over the holiday period, so things will feel much easier later on.
  
• It may seem early, but if you are planning to send Christmas cards with a photograph on them or include photos in a Christmas letter, start to go through your camera roll and see if you have good photos to use. Be sure to put yourself in the picture! If you find it stressful, check out my practical tips to help you look and feel better in photographs.
  
• If you are planning to order personalised Christmas cards for your family or business, most companies have theirs available to order now. It can also be a good time to start your Christmas shopping to help spread the cost.

Celebrate Autumn Holidays in October

Whether it’s Harvest Festival, Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October, 12th October in 2026), Apple Day or Hallowe’en, there’s plenty to celebrate this month.

• Make a pumpkin pie for Canadian Thanksgiving – or just because!
  
• Try a new to you apple recipe to celebrate Apple Day (dates vary according to location; in the UK it’s 21st October 2026).
  
• Carve a pumpkin and decorate for Hallowe’en.
  
• Join in a Harvest festival activity at church or in the community – and/or make a donation of food, money or time to your local food bank.

Make The Most of This Wonderful Month

Take time to savour all the beauty October brings, from crisp mornings and cosy rainy days to vibrant leaves. I like to think of it as the start of the cosy season, a month to slow down, enjoy simple pleasures and celebrate life’s simple moments. Wishing you a wonderful October!