Falliday!

Did you know that you can create your own holiday? It’s true! Last year Chris and I made up a new fall holiday – Falliday! – and it’s coming up in October.

Both Chris and I love the fall season: crisp air, changing leaves, and wearing sweaters, to name a few things. Where we met in Connecticut fall arrived right on time; but sadly the Phoenix area doesn’t embrace autumn with such enthusiasm. At the beginning of October it’s still pretty hot, the leaves stay green, and wearing a sweater will just make you sweat. When the temperatures finally start cooling off mid to late October it’s such a relief! So last year I thought we should have a little celebration to welcome the change of season and to mark the beginning of fall in Arizona. Et voila: Falliday.

There’s not a specific day that Falliday has to be celebrated, just sometime in October when the weather feels like it’s (finally) changing. We picked a Sunday last year and we’ll probably celebrate on a weekend again this year. That’s the great thing about making your own holiday – it can fit your schedule!

Since we’ve only had one Falliday celebration, the traditions are still developing. But, what’s been established is that there should be a fall-inspired meal (last year we had carrot soup, butternut squash ravioli, roasted broccoli, pumpkin beer, and pumpkin ice cream for dessert) and small “cozy” gifts are exchanged – something that will keep the person warm or cozy in the cold weather. Last year I bought Chris some Falliday socks and he got me an autumn-scented candle.

I don’t want to have too many Falliday traditions or it might start to feel stressful but I thought it would be fun to add another tradition, like wearing a favorite sweater. Any ideas for new Falliday traditions?