It’s still summertime, but you’re feeling ready for Halloween—or at least you’re looking forward to the arrival of autumn. Fall brings crisp, cooler weather and a vibrant array of colors. It’s a symbol of transformation and a time to reflect. Halloween is a time to let your creative juices flow and to enjoy getting outdoors to experience the vast amount of decorations. The options are plentiful; they range from festive pumpkin patches to my personal favorite—haunted events! Below is a list of things you can do in the summertime to help evoke a sense of the upcoming season.

#1 – Make a large pot of homemade chili

Cooking up a potful of spicy chili with a pan of jalapeno-infused cornbread on Halloween is a tradition in our household. Therefore, enjoying a bowl during the summertime has become a pleasant reminder of the upcoming autumn season. Let it simmer then dig in!

#2 – Crank up the air conditioner

When the A/C unit is pumping out massive amounts of cold air, it chills the body to the bone. A sweatshirt or blanket is needed to ward off the frigid temps. Bam—instant autumn-like weather!

#3 – Burn a Halloween or autumn fragrance candle

The Yankee Candle Company, as well as many other brands, have loads of festive, seasonal candles. There’s everything from Halloween-themed scents to fall-harvest scents. Light up that wick!

#4 – Eat an apple or a slice of pumpkin pie

How can you not think of bobbing for apples as a child whenever biting into a sweet red or a tart green one? And, if you can’t find pumpkin pie at a local store or restaurant throughout the year, buy the ingredients and make one yourself. Don’t forget to add a dollop of whipped cream!

#5 – Check for upcoming haunted events

Festive, seasonal events and haunted events tend to be listed far in advance. Scanning the internet for available places to visit during the forthcoming season creates a sense of spooky bliss.

#6 – Host a haunted party/dinner mystery

Arrange for a few friends to come over for a mystery-themed potluck dinner. Plenty of information is available on the internet to help you run this type of party at your home. While you’re at it, choose a particular theme or make costumes required. It could even be as simple as suggesting that all participants wear black and orange attire.

#7 – Watch a scary movie

This one is the easiest to do. Throughout the year, scary flicks are readily available. But movies with haunted houses, witches, and magic spells, or ones that involve the holiday itself are best for evoking a sense of Halloween.

#8 – Read a scary book

The options for finding scary themed books are plentiful! But the best time to read one is when darkness falls. Sitting in an unlit room at night evokes a sense of joyful fear. Isn’t that what Halloween is all about?

#9 – Bake and decorate a Halloween or fall cake

If you’re more inclined toward the festive side of Halloween, bake a pumpkin cake. If you’re all about the fear-inducing side of Halloween, bake a zombie cake. Either way, they’ll be fun to decorate an will make a tasty treat to devour!

#10 – Display one Halloween item

Leave out a decoration or two year-round. Display a small ceramic light-up pumpkin or something your child made at school and display it all year long. I happen to have a Halloween kitty dangling from my rearview mirror in my Jeep that brings me joy every time I drive. So, go ahead and set out a piece of Halloween goodness, even if it’s summertime!