Crisp leaves, fuzzy sweaters and cool weather! At least, that’s the plan for many military families. But even if you’re stationed somewhere subtropical or in the desert, you can still dive into fall!
Fall Into Fall at Your PX & Commissary
You can get set for autumn weather, no matter where you’re stationed, right at your base’s Commissary and PX!
Pretty Door Decor
Start strong, right at your front door!
Grab a gorgeous fall Welcome wreath, available online or in-store at select Exchanges. I love the colorful leaves, cheerful sunflowers and country-chic font. It almost looks homemade!
Or if you’re feeling a little less cute and a lot more spooky, add some Halloween decor to your door. There is a great eyeball wreath that will make you cackle in ghoulish delight. Or the ever classic bone-wreath. For something cuter and less scary, a neon-colored witch theme door wreath is perfect!
Get Cozy
The Exchange is a great place to shop for fuzzy, warm fall sweaters.
Since fall days can start and end cooler, but get warm in the middle, a wrap sweater is a great option. You’ll be able to stay warm when there’s a chill in the air, but get comfier if the day heats up.
For the gentlemen, pick up a half-zip sweater. It’s perfect for apple picking and fall festivities, too.
Soothing Sippers
Your Commissary is the best place to grab all the best hot fall drinks.
Pick up hot cocoa mix and some whipped cream. Pout yourself a nice hot mug of cocoa, topped with a little cream and maybe some sprinkles.
Or get your morning started with pumpkin spice flavored coffee. This fall favorite is available in bags or as Keurig-compatible pods.
A good book seems to call for a cup of tea. You can get all the best brands at the Commissary! From Tazo to Celestial Seasonings.
Get Slow Cooking
Nothing says fall quite like a hot, homestyle meal. You can make your own yummy dinner with almost zero effort!
Stop at the Exchange to grab a slow cooker. I like the set it and forget it ease of programmable options. Set the time to cook at a particular setting, then it will automatically switch to “warm” until you manually shut it off.
Next, swing into the Commissary for some essentials. Grab your favorite broth – beef, veggie or chicken – plus onions, carrots, herbs and other hardy veggies. Chop and combine everything into your slow cooker for a hearty fall veggie soup!
Or brown some ground meat and add some beans for a creative take on chili.
The sky is the limit when it comes to slow-cooked meals: whole chickens, soups, stews, chili and even breads or desserts!
Go Apple Picking & Bake a Pie
You’ve gone to the orchard, but now you have a ton of apples. There’s only so many a person can eat. But apples are also great for cooking!
Pick up a new pie plate at the Exchange (or some single-use tins at the Commissary) and get baking! Slice and dice those apples, add in some sugar and spice – it’s everything nice – before you slide it into a buttery crust.
No apples? No problem! Pick up some fresh apples at the Commissary. Or grab a can of pre-mixed apple pie filling.
Whatever kind of pie you’re baking, top it with ice cream for a classic fall treat.
Scent-sational Fall
I love when I come home and my house smells like fall. All cinnamon-y and warm.
Grab wax melts and candles at the Exchange.
Candles are great for setting the mood over a warm, cozy dinner or for a night in. Pick tall white unscented candles for a date night at your house. You don’t want anything competing with your yummy food smells!
For your fall night in, grab candles in your favorite fall scents. Yankee Candle makes super amazing, long-lasting candles in a ton of fall fragrances.
For all-day scent, try plug-ins and wax warmers. These no-flame options deliver tons of incredible fragrance 24/7. All you need is an outlet!
Just Add Pumpkins!
Just starting to get in a fall frame of mind? Get yourself some pumpkins!
The Exchange has a ton of pumpkin decor, ready for you to showcase in your fall-theme home. I love the white pumpkins – they’re perfect for using a paint pen and channeling all my Pinterest ideas.
Ready for the next level? Head to the Commissary for the real thing! Pick up a carving kit, too. Settle in for a day of pumpkin carving with your family! Nothing says fall like jack-o-lanterns.
I decorate for Fall by updating my outdoor chair cushions. First, I purchase seasonal waterproof tablecloths. I can find them for around $4. I cut them to the size of my outdoor chair cushions and make a quick stitch or use hot glue (low heat seating) to form a pouch to slip over my outdoor chair cushions. In just a matter of minutes, I have seasonal outdoor cushions. You can use the same idea to decorate for Christmas, Easter or any holiday. Quick tip: wait for the end of season sales to purchase these tablecloths on clearance and save them for the next year.