By Katelyn Fry
September 20, 2017

It’s that time again! Sweaters, leaves, pumpkin spice and everything nice. Many Savvy Aunties may be acquainted with fall pastimes like pumpkin picking, baking pies and making fall crafts. So this fall season, we are sharing fall traditions from around the world that may be new to you - and for your nieces and nephews!

Make a Candle Float or Sky Lantern

Every November, the people of India celebrate two festivals, the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng. During these festivals, they make candle floats and sky lanterns out of banana leaves and other biodegradable products and then release them. They sail the candle floats down rivers to carry away misfortune and negative energy, and make wishes as their sky lanterns drift up out of sight.

Take your nieces and nephews to a beach this fall and help them make a wish like never before. You can find sky lanterns here and directions on how to make a proper Krathong here
 
Explore and Make a Family Tree

One of the biggest holidays in Korea is their Thanksgiving, or Chuseok. Held in October, it is a time when people focus on their families and honor their ancestors.

This year, do some digging with your nieces and nephews on your own family history! Visit grandparents and learn about their grandparents, or even explore a website like Ancestry.com. Afterward, you can create a family tree together filled with photos, drawings and stories and present it at your own Thanksgiving!

“Grow” a Moustache

For the last fourteen years, Australia has taken part in “Movember," a fundraiser in which participants don’t shave their moustache for the month of November as a means to raise money for men’s health awareness.

Plan a fundraising event with your nieces and nephews. It could be for men’s health awareness or any cause you all decide on. Order fake moustaches for them to wear that they’ll be sure to get a kick out of, and let their dads and uncles grow some real ones!

Make Oktoberfest Fun for the Kids, Too

Oktoberfest is generally associated with beer, but there is a lot more to this German holiday than that. Host an Oktoberfest at your house this fall and have your nieces and nephews be your little helpers. Introduce them to classic German dishes like soft pretzels, potato pancakes and Schnitzel. FoodAndWine.com offers several great recipes so you guys can practically host a second Thanksgiving feast this fall – German style ;)

Keep Expanding Those Taste Buds, And Kids’ Taste in Music!

Every September, Galway, Ireland is home to one of Europe’s largest food festivals: The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival. In October, Cork, Ireland hosts the biggest jazz music festival in the country: The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Bring some of that Irish, Autumn spirit to your family this year by hosting your own Oyster and Music Fest, or look up local restaurants and music venues to see if any serve oysters or will be hosting a jazz show soon and make it a date night for you and your nieces and nephews. They may discover a new favorite food and music genre they never knew about!

Make Halloween a Little Less Spooky

In early November, the citizens of Mexico celebrate their own Halloween, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Despite its title, this holiday is a happy celebration of life and the lives of those who have passed. It is recognized through bright and colorful costumes and paintings, and two days of dancing.

Your nieces and nephews will love getting their faces painted and painting yours, and having a dance party after!

Roast Chestnuts on an Open Fire 

…before December. The French certainly don’t wait for Christmas carols to start roasting chestnuts. Throughout October and November, the entire country hosts chestnut festivals where thousands of pounds of chestnuts are roasted and apple cider is consumed.

Give your nieces and nephews a twist on campfires this year and replace the marshmallows with chestnuts, and make sure to have your hot apple cider to go with them!


Play Traditional St. Andrew’s Day Games

Every year on November 30, you can find the families of Poland and Scotland celebrating St. Andrew’s Day. Two traditions that kids will love are the century-old shoe competition and the wax art game. You can find directions here and maybe take a snack break with some traditional Polish pierogies or any one of these St. Andrew’s Day classics!

Photo: evgeny atamanenko