things-to-doNow that we’re really in fall, the holidays are almost upon us. Here are 10 things you must do this month:

1. Go apple picking.

It’s fun. It’s different. It’s physical. It’s bonding, and it’s a great date.

2. Decorate your house for the holidays.

I know, if you’re a guy reading this, you’re thinking, do I really want to get gourds and other things?

And the answer is, yes. Get festive for a holiday. These two months are the only two months in the year when you really start to feel the holiday spirit, so decorating your home is great.

3. Make concrete plans for Thanksgiving.

I know a lot of you, including myself, tend to let the holidays kind of roll on by and go with whatever happens. This time, make plans ahead of time with an old friend. Make some concrete plans for Thanksgiving, and do something different.

4. Take a long drive before all the leaves hit the ground.

It’s real pretty this last part of the fall. You’ve still got the reds and yellows. A lot of trees are starting to get bare, but they’re going to be bare for the next four to five months, so it’s nice to get a little bit of just fall.

5. Have a dinner party.

It’s a great way to connect with new people. Have a dinner party, and everybody must bring a single friend along.

Light a fire. Go outside. Make a barbecue on a chilly night. Just sit around and play board games. It’s a great thing to do because everybody is looking to meet somebody before the holidays.

6. Commit to a workout plan.

The lazy months and the holidays are coming, so if you commit to a workout plan now and stay motivated from January to February, you won’t put on the week of extra weight that everyone else will.

7. Buy yourself a new piece of clothing.

Maybe a new jacket or a new sweater. Purchase something that’ll make you feel good about yourself and fall into winter.

8. Set a goal.

Forget about New Year’s Resolutions. Set a goal now. That way, when everybody else is doing the five, four, three, two, one countdown and setting New Year’s Resolutions, you’re already a couple months into your new goal, and you’ll watch it happen. New goal, new habits will start to form .

9. Take a look at your phone.

Take a look at the people in your life. Connect with somebody you haven’t connected with all year. The holidays are coming. People tend to feel lonely, so pick out one friend that you know may need a friend, and literally get in touch with them.

10. Take a long walk.

Take a long walk on one of the last warm days this year. November will have scattered, no matter where you are in the world, a few warm days left. Whenever there’s a warm, beautiful day, take a long walk. Listen to the sound of your feet crunching in the leaves. Take a look at the colors in the sky. The sky is going to change as winter starts approaching. Take a nice little walk.

Those are 10 fun things to do and even more fun with somebody else.