For me, fall means leaves and leaves mean a very special family tradition. I grew up in upstate NY and as soon as the leaves began to fall we knew that soon it would be time to make our Pumpkin Man. My grandfather would bring over the Pumpkin Man supplies and send us out into the yard to gather the most beautiful fall leaves that we could find. And gather we did. Leaves are abundant in NY and in the fall our front yard was full of gorgeous, multicolored maple leaves.
The air was cool, so we dressed in layers, and the crunchy leaves made everything smell like fall. It wouldn’t take us long, but the days were getting shorter and the onset of evening made everything feel cozy as we worked.
When we were satisfied with our bounty we brought it inside and my grandfather got to work. With the leaves we collected, an old pumpkin face, and faded construction paper cut-outs he created our Pumpkin Man in the large picture window in my parent’s house.
We carry on the tradition of the Pumpkin Man each year in our house too. Although, as we move further and further south those perfect fall leaves get harder to find. Here in FL my children wear sunscreen instead of jackets and the only trees we have in our yard are palms. And still the Pumpkin Man lives on.
My children get the same things out of the Pumpkin Man that my brother and sister and I did. Family traditions are not just about creating a fun experience or giving children something to look forward to each year. Family traditions, like the Pumpkin Man, build shared memories that connect us to each other and with each other. They become bigger than ourselves and our personal experience and get woven into our collective family history like squares into a quilt.
Traditions bring comfort and their rituals tell a lot about what we as a family value and hold dear. What fall traditions do you have in your family? What family traditions would you like to begin this fall? I’d love to hear all about it.
For even more fall fun check out these Pumpkin Activities!
What a cute idea and fun tradition.
Thanks Lorie!!!
I love that you revived an old family tradition for your kids. (Also, let me know if you want me to send you some leaves. We have plenty!)
Ooooh! A leaf swap might be fun–we could send you palms!
Such a cute tradition! I bet my little one would love to do something like this!
Thanks Gina! Sometimes the simplest activities are the best! 🙂
Your pumpkin man is so adorable! I may have to steal that idea for next year…
Steal away!!! And thanks! 🙂
Such a cute tradition!! I love that you continue even in sunny FL!! 🙂
Thanks! It definitely isn’t as colorful here, but still memorable!
I love it ! Hope the kids had fun doing t
I love it ! Hope the kids had fun doing it
They had lots of fun!
What a sweet family tradition, and how cute is that pumpkin man!?! Thanks for sharing this post at the Discover & Explore linky.
Thanks Shaunna! It’s definitely one of my favorites!
Love this idea. Our most cherished Thanksgiving tradition has been the Thanksgiving Tree. When my daughter was 8, she decoupaged a clay pot with fall patterned tissue paper. I out in a styrofoam block and inserted a branch from our dogwood tree, Each year on Nov 1, we all say what we are thankful for that day. Each night at the dinner table, we all choose a leaf and write something on it. One year we used paper leaves, then foam leaves. My favorite was the year we collected real leaves, laminated them, and used permanent markers to write on them. By Thanksgiving Day, our tree is full of blessings and memories. This year, I plan to make leaves out of out 14 month old granddaughter’s handprints!
So sweet!!!
So cute