by Aimee Mendel

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

Each season has its special attributes. Autumn is certainly no exception. There are small and large things that you can do during this time to engage your family and bring autumn indoors to create warmth and harmony in your home. This is a family time; the hayrides and pumpkin farms and crisp nights simply breathe autumn.

Get the children involved by having them help rake leaves. During the raking process they can sort out beautiful leaves; they will love jumping in the piles after they are raked up. The piles can be put into those pumpkin bags; this creates a visible reward for having worked on this task. The pretty leaves can be strewn on a table, giving it the look of having had the leaves just blow in. Acorns can be added to this display.

Bring the beauty of the season inside by gathering wild grasses, flowers and berry plants to display. Have the children drive around with you to look for specimens. Visit your local thrift store to find a great vase.

Cover your seating with afghans. These invite the notion of warmth and snuggling in. Cool autumn evenings beg for a comfortable chair or sofa and a comfy afghan. Put a pretty fall tablecloth on your table. Many stores offer beautiful vinyl tablecloths that cost very little but add such a festive touch.

Buy a chrysanthemum plant for your porch. After it is finished blooming, plant it in your yard. It will come back next year. Visit your grocer to find beautiful, inexpensive flowers in fall colors and place small flower arrangements at various spots throughout your home. Gather a few perfect pine cones and put them in a bowl on your coffee table.

Real pumpkins are great, but they don't last long. Ceramic pumpkins last year after year and they add so much warmth to a buffet or a porch.

Buy a few cinnamon brooms to scatter throughout the house.

Open your windows. The fresh air is better than any amount of Febreeze.

If you can, drive to the mountains to buy some fresh apples and apple cider. If not, buy apple cider at the grocery and spice it up in the crock pot and serve it up in the evening.

Hug your family and tell each member that you love him or her. Share some cinnamon bread that you just baked. Your house will smell amazing.

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