Photos: Wirecutter Staff

Fall brings crimson leaves and pleasant crisp breezes. Less lovely: those dinky plastic pumpkins and saccharine candles that seem to show up earlier and earlier each year, beckoning you to mindlessly spend in the name of festivity.

We understand the impulse to let loose in the sparkly, orange-and-black-themed aisles of your local superstore in an attempt to stave off the dull dread of an incoming winter. But this is a recipe to end up with loads of junk—most of which will have reduced to tatters come next year.

Here’s our advice: Don’t give up the joy of treating yourself to a little autumnal something to ring in the new season. But make that treat something intentional and actually high-quality.

Need inspo? Here are some of our staffers’ favorite fall delights:

Cozy toes: Several Wirecutter staffers take the falling temps to mean one thing and one thing only: It’s finally cold enough to bust out our long-time slipper recommendation, this fabulously fluffy and sturdy pair.

A chic scented candle: We have sixteen high-quality and sophisticated options in our guide to the best scented candles—including one that smells like “pure coziness.”

Read the guide
The best scented candles→

A warm cup of something special: Our experts have compiled nine of their favorite teas, including a rich and smoky black blend, a sweet and mellow oolong, and a stunning matcha.

Socks galore: Editor Ria Misra keeps these durable and cushiony hiking socks in constant rotation all fall long for any leaf peeping, apple picking, or hiking. And senior editor Catherine Kast swears by these cushy grip socks as an unexpectedly cozy slipper substitute.

Fresh fall blooms: Senior staff writer Jackie Reeve keeps fresh-cut dahlias in her house until first frost. She stores these seasonal blooms in a ceramic vase hand-crafted by a small-batch potter, whose mugs we also adore. Lovely.

Read the guide
Our favorite mugs→

Bundle up, it’s time for wool: Staff writer Claire Wilcox’s favorite fall tradition is pulling out all her wool sweaters and blankets. A tip from her: Using storage bags—like the ones we recommend in our closet organizing guide—when you pack your woolens away can save you from “a dust-mite allergy meltdown.”

Deck the halls: Meanwhile, editor-in-chief Ben Frumin is setting up his Christmas tree way too early.

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Photo: Michael Hession

As we’ve already lamented, many holiday decorations are destined for the landfill. Hidden among the rough, though, are some truly durable and special items. Here are our home decor experts’ favorite finds, including candy corn candles, cute dish towels, and bulbs that will bathe any room in bloodcurdling lighting.

Most Halloween decor is junk. But these 20 items will charm and spook→

Beautiful. Photo: Jackie Reeve

Thanks for reading.

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