The perks of fall when you are an expat

Well, expat, expat... Let me put it this way, this is my version of the ‘why it's so nice that it's autumn’ list, based on all the fun traditions I've built up because I grew up abroad. May recently wrote about all the things she is really looking forward to now that we've officially said goodbye to summer, so here it is: I'm taking it over from you for a moment, May.

Halloween

This might be one of my favorite holidays and luckily it has become a thing in the Netherlands over the past few years. At least, in Amsterdam it has, and you can find me this year at A Mokum Halloween Story. This year with the theme: Memoirs of a Dead Geisha, organized by the creative party people of Amsterdam's Fat Kids Cake. But if you're not into costume parties, I definitely recommend having a horror movie marathon for Halloween at least. It's actually good for your relationship.

Stranger Things season 2

Yehesss, season 2 comes out a few days before Halloween. And. I. Can't. Wait. Finally, we know what happened to Eleven and will Barb come back or not? I think I need to take a day off because this is binge-session worthy.

Thanksgiving

I know, I know. Totally American, of course, but stuffed turkey: heavenly. And it has become a sort of tradition with a few girlfriends (none of them from the USA, but all have a connection to the country) to organize a Thanksgiving dinner every year. Need tips? This is how you prepare turkey à la Simone. Or well, chicken then, that's fine too.

Disneyland Paris

Tip: if you ever want to go to Disneyland Paris but want to avoid the crowds? Take the third Thursday and Friday of November off. Yes indeed, the days that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It's not a public holiday in France or the Netherlands. Nowhere in Europe, of course, but then the park is so wonderfully quiet and already in Christmas spirit, so you immediately get in the mood for Christmas. When I lived in Paris and attended the American school, we always had off and Disney was the go-to place for everyone. So yes, okay, there's a good chance some students from my old school are around but like I said: wonderfully quiet.

Spiced Pumpkin Martini

Where May goes for a glass of Amarone, I go for a spiced pumpkin Martini. All you need is: ginger, vodka (from our Amayzine neighbors for example) where you've infused pumpkin and serve that. If necessary, you can make it a spiced pumpkin Martini party where you also decorate pumpkins. Fits perfectly in the Halloween spirit.

Sweater weather

Actually has nothing to do with the traditions I've built up by living abroad, but I just had to get it off my chest. Sweater weather might just be my favorite. Summer, I love you, but all these oversized babies are just screaming to be worn?

Football season

And by that, I don't mean soccer, but American football. I used to find it boring and was almost forced to watch it with my American boyfriend, but I've started to appreciate it. Even if it's just for the many handsome men you can spot on the field.

So. And now the rest of the weekend on the couch under a wool blanket, because that's also autumn.