How to celebrate the fireside season
There's something enchanting about Autumn. The crisp coolness of the air. The glistening veil of morning frost. The transformation of the landscape to a rich tapestry of oranges, reds, and golds. And the promise of cozy evenings by the fire.
For us, there are two moments that mark the commencement of Autumn.
The first is that first day when you wake up and feel a bite in the morning air. It is a sort of inauguration of the cooler period that is about to ensue.
The second is the day that the clocks change. In the US, that’s today: the 5th of November, 2023. For many, this is the true sign that summer is over. While in the States we transition from Daylight Savings to Standard Time, much of Europe and South America call it switching from Summer to Winter Time.
With these shifts come what we like to call the start of the Fireside Season. It is that period of welcoming the cooler, calmer days and longer, cozier nights that are the hallmark of the fall and winter seasons. During this time we nest our homes in preparation for the winter to come. We bring back out the supple cashmere throws that were too heavy for summer. We decorate our houses and tables with natural elements such as pinecones, branches, cinnamon sticks, and dried fruit slices which smell as festive as they look. We perfect our favorite fall recipe to serve when family and friends visit for the holidays. And, last but not least, in the evening, with a glass of wine or scotch in hand, we light a fire (or earthy, smokey candle) and turn on our favorite fall film (think When Harry Met Sally or Pride and Prejudice).
It’s an interesting coincidence that this year the clocks changed on the 5th of November as it also happens to be British Bonfire Night. Otherwise known as Guy Fawkes Day, it is a bit of a bizarre tradition that commemorates the death of a treasonous Brit whose attempts to blow up the houses of Parliament in the 1600s failed—and thus we celebrate with big bonfires and firework displays. Just as our July 4th feels like a mark of summer, this feels like a sister mark of the fall season.
Whether celebrating Bonfire Night or simply enjoying each others company around a fireplace or firepit, with good food, good company, and a bonfire throw over our laps, it is one of our favorite things to look forward to as the temperature drops.
In order to make the most out of this period of time, there are a few “fireside necessities” that we always love to have around:
- An easy, organic, clean firestarter for timeless and toxin-free fires
- A good set of long matches or a chic lighter—this doubles as a great candle lighter
- Some great throws—ones that everyone can use and you can enjoy by the fire whether inside or outside
- A moody, rich, and musky candle to set the season
We hope you enjoy and celebrate the Autumn season with style!