Making the Most of October

Ever since Oct. 1^st we have been experiencing the most gorgeous weather that this year has yet to offer us, but October is also the start of much more. We have now entered the Fall/Holiday season and for many of us this is our favorite time of the year, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Now the leaves are finally starting to turn colors, the Fall/Halloween decorations are starting to go up, pumpkins are popping up on sale at many stores (Check out Home Depots selection starting at $3 and some change), and my personal favorite, the pumpkin flavor is being put back on the menu, such as Dunkin Donut’s Pumpkin Ice Coffeeand Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spiced Frappuccino. Can I say, “Yumm”!?

Make the most of October.
With less rain showers, more pleasing campus walks, and the occasional breeze, many of us actually have the urge to spend some time outdoors. The Holidays are a busy time of the year, and even though it is still wonderful, at times things can get a little hectic. Before the stress of your holiday shopping and planning sets in, here are some ways to make the most of October.

Enjoy the Fall Breeze.
With the weather not being too hot and not being too cold, there are so many outdoor activities we can enjoy that Florida has to offer us. Such as a picnic on the beach or at the park, a day at Busch Garden or Lowery Park Zoo, or even simply jogging around campus. You can also check out USF’s Outdoor Recreationsite to see what sort of activities they have planned.

Have a Pumpkin Carving Party.
Many of us as children have fond memories of carving pumpkins with our families. It’s messy, fun, and allows room for your creative side to come out, and the truth is we are never too old to carve pumpkins. Invite some of your friends over and don’t forget to tell them to BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). For ideas on decorations and pumpkin designs for your party, the best person to steer you in the right direction is of course Martha Stuart, check out her Halloween Ideas and tips.

Make a Pumpkin Pie from Scratch.
Hopefully, you are not all ‘pumpkined’ out because you need something to do with all those left over pumpkin insides. If you have never baked before, be brave and try something new. It’s a great pleasure to bake or cook something to share with others and then take in all their compliments of how good it tastes. Here is a recipe I snagged from allrecipes.com, but of course you can find others if this one doesn’t suit you.

Attend a Costume Party.
Being whoever or whatever you want to be for a day or night can be a lot of fun. Most of us enjoyed dressing up and collecting candy as children, even though we are a bit old to go trick-or-treating, the fun doesn’t need to stop just because we are now adults. During October it’s no surprise to see students walking around in strange outfits, and for the most part it is rather entertaining. So far I have spotted a panda bear, Gumby, and a banana on campus. If you are invited to a costume party this year, make an attempt to go!

Start Your Holiday Shopping Early.
Going to college and making new friends can lead to an even longer list of people to buy for during the holidays. Utilize October to get a head start on that shopping list. You will find that many stores will be having end of the year sales with many great deals offered. Also, it’s best to pace out your holiday shopping. This way you won’t have to spend all of your money a week before your gifts are due, as well as having to fight all of the other last minute shoppers.