Cabbage Night? The Strange Halloween Tradition of Cabbages and Mischief.
What exactly was Cabbage Night? Discover why kids once tossed cabbages, soaped windows, moved gates, and turned the night before Halloween into a regional tradition.
The Curious History of the Apple Cider Doughnut.
Apple cider doughnuts feel like an old-fashioned fall tradition, but their rise owes plenty to doughnut machines, roadside farm stands and some clever 1950s marketing.
Why Is It Called a Yankee Swap? The Rules, History, and White Elephant Difference
Why is it called a Yankee Swap, and is it really the same as a White Elephant gift exchange? The answer goes back further than the Civil War and includes…
Why Did Old Thanksgiving Tables Always Have Celery and Olives?
Why did old Thanksgiving tables always seem to have celery, olives, pickles, and a relish tray? The answer goes back to seasonal food, formal dining, and a time when celery…
Why Do We Put Mums on the Porch Every Fall?
Why do mums appear on porches every fall? Here’s how chrysanthemums became the season’s unofficial flower—and why they bloom right on cue.
How to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall Without Decorating
Want your home to feel like fall without hauling out the decorations? Start with the season itself—open windows, drying herbs, fresh apples, cooler evenings, porch dinners, biscuits in the oven,…
Why Are Scarecrows Associated With Fall?
Scarecrows weren’t invented for fall decorating. They were working farm tools used throughout the growing season. So how did the old straw figure become such a familiar symbol of autumn,…