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51 Cheap Things That’ll Help You Make This Fall Your Most Whimsical One Yet
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More From one ghoul to another, we’re already off to a strong September and have some serious fall-maxxing momentum. As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible. Idk about you, but fall is my favorite time of the year. Actually, well, I guess it might be yours too if you clicked onto this story. I also really like summer! But there's something about a crisp fall morning where you need a jacket and seeing Halloween candy on store shelves that makes you want to let out a blood-curdling scream (in a good way). But it doesn't have to be all spooky scary, there are tons of whimsical little purchases you can make without blowing your budget right before the holidays. I found several options from the extremely practical to just plain fun. Promising review: "My best friend loved this for her birthday. She loves Halloween and tea, and this was such a cute and perfect gift." —Harley Nixon Who Gives a Crap specializes in fun designs for individual TP rolls and donates 50% of profits to sanitization organizations. Get 24 rolls for $49 (or subscribe for every 1, 1.5, or 2 months for $34). Promising review: "I looooove them! I wanted some cute little fairy lights and something to decorate the bedroom mirror for autumn and create a warm, inviting look, and they are so perfect! Thanks so much!! 🥰" —kiara martinez Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two other styles). Promising review: "I received my tree a few days ago, and liked it so much that I ordered another. My husband was the one who suggested we flank the fireplace with them. They are so bright and simple to set up. I couldn’t wait to put them up. I love them!" —K Berglund My colleague Emma Lord is obsessed: "Okay, I'm gonna get real here: I typically don't love pumpkin scents or anything that runs on the "sweeter" side. But this Pumpkin Chai body lotion is the holy grail of pumpkin scents. It is somehow rich, warm, and light at the same time, and so perfectly balanced that the sweetness feels more like a top note than an overwhelming one. It smells strangely nostalgic?? Like, it smells like autumn personified, if all the best, most delicious, most cozy parts of it got combined. I am so picky that I was expecting to tolerate this at best, but I am going to mourn it deeply when pumpkin season is over!! And as always, this stuff packs a hydrating punch. My knees were super raw and dry for reasons unknown, but after putting this on twice a day for three days, they're good as new, and I'm not randomly itching them anymore." If you're into seasonal sweet scents, this could be a wonderful fall contender for your home. (If you're not into sweet, the Fall Leaves soap is a total delight.) Get it exclusively from Target for $4.99. Check out a TikTok of the swinging ghost in action. Btw, it has eight different lighting modes, four different brightness levels, and a timer. Promising review: "I can see why this went viral! So cute, easy to put up and adjust as needed. It’s bright enough to be seen from far away but not obnoxious." —KC Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in a larger size). These come with adhesive that allows you to stick them on, and they adhere *very* well — though not necessarily designed for outdoor use, reviewers say they help up through very windy weather and even tropical storms. If you want to avoid any residue left behind as some reviewers mention, you could use double-sided mounting tape instead. Promising review: "I put a few of these on my front door this year and loved the look!! The adhesives worked well, only one fell off. When removing, some of the adhesive ripped so some was on the bat, and some was on the door — not a major deal, just had to use a little heat to loosen up the adhesive and remove from door." —NateandAmanda Get a set of 28 bats from Amazon for $8.99. Promising review: "These were really adorable. They're thick, very heat-resistant. Well made, good quality. Perfectly sized for your hands. Really sturdy and stable. They're not too bulky, so it doesn't make things difficult to grab. Easy to use and great for the price. Especially since you get one of each." —Linda Wood Promising review: "These are really good and fresh. Not hard like some other types I have had in the past. I will definitely order these again." —danny green Promising review: "Very nicely made. Priced great. Comfortable and look great!" —Terry Crum Get them from Amazon for $6.80 (available in a variety of themes). Promising review: "So well made and I've already gotten asked where I got it from delivery drivers and neighbors! The fabric is heavy, and the image is crisp, clean, and easy to read. Added to my regular fall rotation." —Elaina G. These are safe for the oven, microwave, and dishwasher! And if you need some dip inspo, check out my friend's cookbook, Big Dip Energy! Promising review: "I love this pretty pot. I use it for dipping sauce and a melting pot, and keep it on the stove for decor. I love showing it off when people ask me where I get it from." —Sandra L. Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three colors). The kit comes with 60 gel stamps and 5 different stamp designs. Each stamp can be flushed about 150 times. Promising review: "I love the look of these and the smell. They were easy to apply to the toilet and lasted a long time. The box came with so many that I don’t need to buy more for a long time. 10/10 a bathroom must-have." —Jon Mark Promising review: "Super cute! Very excited to wear this with dresses and at work for this fall season. I have medium length/shoulder length hair and it's works great for holding hair." —Alea Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a squirrel design). Promising review: "This kit is so easy to use! Instructions were clear and the candy apples were delicious. Decided to add nerds candy to some of them!" —Nella Love Promising review: "This bath bomb is so creative! I love the vibe and the scent. But I think my most favorite thing about it is how moisturizing it is. I will be getting several more of these for sure. I would love to see something similar to this year round." —Oaklie Get it from Lush for $11. And check out the rest of the Summerween collection! Just make sure you're not using this in fires used for cooking or s'mores! Promising review: "We threw the whole pack in the fire and it lasted longer than sprinkling it on the flames. We enjoyed seeing the colorful flames. It lasted 30 minutes when we threw the entire package in." —foxbite2 Promising review: "I purchased these after I saw them in a viral TikTok video, and they did not disappoint! Every single one of the candles works perfectly and the flame flickers just like a real candle. They were really easy to put up into the ceiling because they were already strong with the fishing line. I just used clear thumbtacks and wrapped the line around it and hung it to the ceiling. The wand is so cool and works perfectly well for turning on and off the lights. I definitely would purchase more to add a little bit more magic throughout the house! Absolutely worth it!" —Korg Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six varieties). And in case you don't already have a good set, here's a colored pencil set on Amazon for $9.99! Promising review: "I LOOOOVE this coloring book! So many cute pages and perfect for spooky season. If you love Halloween and coloring cute images, then this is the book for you. Has a variety of pages and all have the perfect thick lines we all love in coloring books! Add to your cart now!" —Sagrario Promising review: "Super cute. Easy to blow up manually. Does not have a structured bottom, so it does need to be on a table or floor for support." —Alexis Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three designs). Promising review: "These added such a cool touch to my Halloween party. Everyone loved using the syringe to get a shot of alcohol and add it to the blood pouch! Easy to use and the stickers made them look super real!" —Marisa Promising review: "These candles are an adorable addition to my Halloween decor. I love them and will buy more next year!" —Blulili7274 Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four styles and two sizes). Promising review: "Amazing! These puzzles are so fun. It’s nice that they start easy and get harder, so you can get used to the format first, then continue to be challenged as you learn how they work. Fun, visually appealing, and sprinkled with humor. I finished this one in about 1.5 months (of fairly dedicated work) and ordered Volume 2 before I was even done with the first one. It’s a higher price point than many puzzle books, but you get high quality for what you pay." —EN The best part?? Once you finish this version of "Murdling," you can try a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books — PLUS a Murdle board game! Get it from Amazon for $11.54 (and check out Volume 2 and Volume 3 if you're in the mood for more murrrrderrr). Promising review: "It smells amazing, and tastes like a sweet pumpkin pie. Heavenly and intoxicating. Definitely a keeper for me." —Ani Get a set of three from Amazon for $3.97. Promising review: "This item definitely exceeded the definition of cuteness. I bought this for my bookshelf, and now my nieces are asking one for their room. 🎃 Love how it has a timer for 30 minutes. It works great." —Book_Hollows Promising review: "Oh my goodness, not only does this product work well on cooked-on crud on your pans or plates found in the kids' rooms, but it smells fantastic! The Apple scent is like a fresh Granny Smith apple — a true apple scent. I just love this scent and have made it a Subscribe & Save regular, as I can't find it in my local store. Wonderful scent in a wonderful product!" —Tiffany A. Promising review: "I absolutely adore this umbrella! The canopy is stylish and I'm fond of the bat design inside. It's lightweight yet appears to be quite sturdy. It's compact, just the right size, and can comfortably accommodate two people. Definitely worth purchasing." —Mary Grace Promising review: "This was a fun plant. My kids enjoyed watching the leaves pull up and then spread back out. I even mailed one to a family member so they could try it out. I would buy this again!" —Nene582 Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.95. Bones Coffee Company is a small biz specializing in very flavorful coffees. I've tried a handful of their flavors and they always really smell and taste like the advertised flavor! So you're really getting your money's worth when it comes to fall flavoring. Get a bag of whole beans from Amazon for $19.99. Promising review: "Listen, folks, I am not one to really do reviews, but these are GORGEOUS! Very vibrant colors and amazing quality! I was shocked at how cheap they were regarding pricing. BUY NOW, you won’t be disappointed." —MIMI of Three Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three sizes and 15 designs). Promising review: "They were easy to assemble, come with lots of extra stem pieces so you can make the stem longer or shorter, they look great and last forever!" —Amazon Customer Promising reviews: "I’ve gotten nothing but compliments from people since I swapped out the regular bulbs in our light posts for these for Halloween." —Gula "I love these. We bought them for Halloween. I'd leave them up all year if my hubby would let me. They lasted five months (September to January) without problems. Easy to install and remove. A definite yes for me." —gretchen Get them from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in packs of two or four). Britts Highlights is a Columbus, Ohio–based shop specializing in hair clips. Promising review: "I’m glad I ordered two! They are small but perfectly crafted. They look just like mini pumpkins. Wish vendor would make matching earrings. Absolutely adorable. Would purchase again." —Rose Get it from Britts Highlights on Etsy for $17.95 (also available in hair pins). Promising review: "Love my decals. I placed them all over my doors and windows. They were easy to peel off and stuck right on with just sprinkling a little water on the glass. The colors are great. They pop out very well. You can see them all the way from the road. 😂 The quality was also great. I recommend these. I’ll be reordering again next year." —Annette Promising review: "My sister loves spooky season. These were a perfect gift for her AND (unintentionally) her family’s cat." —Xandra Get it from Mustard Tiger on Etsy for $7.53+ (available in a 3-, 6-, 12-, or 18-pack). Promising review: "This bat is so freaking adorable. Perfect addition to my triple moon! I plan on getting a few more!! They are handcrafted, and my little goth heart loves it!!!!" —Ashley Cisco Promising review: "The CUTEST COLLECTION of AUTUMN-THEMED SPONGES!!!! 🍂🍁🎃 They make doing dishes by hand ALMOST fun......🤔😂😂😂 I purchased two sets — my daughter is a FALL FANATIC as well." —Terrie Meyer Promising review: "Every year for Halloween I like to do something a little different.... Zombie pops? Yes please! I just bought regular popsicles from the store, put one flavor in a small bowl, and set that bowl into another bowl with hot water in the bottom so it would melt it but not boil it like on the stove. Then I used a funnel and poured it into the zombie mold, placed it in the freezer, and waited ’til the next evening after our spookyacular dinner! The kids loved it, especially when they realized the ice pop stick was a rib cage! It was easy to use and clean up." —Amazon Customer Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.10 (available in three other styles). Promising review: "So adorable!! I just love it. Definitely Gilmore Girls vibes." —Wildwood Mommy Get it from Bath & Body Works for $26.95. Promising review: "This is great for any decoration. It's thick and nice enough to use again. Totally recommend." —Brandi Get it from Amazon for $7.39+ (available in black or white). Promising review: "My pumpkin has never had more personality!" —Donna Crecelius Promising review: "This is the perfect size and comes with so many letters, characters, and shapes, so you can change what it says whenever you want. Super easy to put together; worth every penny! I get so many compliments when people come over and see this." —Deni S. Get it from Amazon for $24.97+ (available in six colors). Promising review: "Got these for my 2-year-old and 5-year-old to use as night-lights, they are obsessed with putting a new drawing on them every night!" —Taylor Broadwater Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available as a ghost or a pumpkin). Promising review: "The 6-inch and 9-inch pumpkins I bought from Michaels were the perfect size for my crafts. The sale prices helped with the cost of crafting, also. I have bought several more for upcoming projects." —Life Song Get it from Michaels for $2.49+ (originally $4.99+; available in four sizes). Promising review: "So soft and comfy! Absolutely would order again!" —Rozanna Etchison Get them from Amazon for $15.99 (available in sizes 5/6–11.2/2 and three colors). Promising review: "These are SO cute! I painted mine and put magnets on the back for the fridge." —Emily Dinwiddie General Wax & Candle Company is a small business in North Hollywood, California that has been making candles since 1949. Promising review: "Love these candles! Don't be deterred by the candles out of the box; though they are mostly white on the outside, there are lots of primary color pockets on the inside. They do take a while to burn (three to four hours, by my count), but the results are by far worth being patient for. As the flame works through the candle, the primary color pockets blend with the white as well as with each other to create a wide range of colors...I've seen yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, greens, and blues on my finished bottles." —5ammosh Mick's Art Goods is a Spokane, Washington–based shop specializing in mini prints. Promising review: "This couldn’t be any cuter! A perfect addition to a gallery wall!" —Heather Get it from Mick's Art Goods on Etsy for $4.50+ (available without a frame or five frame options). * Every Day Is One More Closer To Halloween, So Here Are 31 Products To Start Celebrating * These 32 Products On Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” List Are Perfect For Fall * Under-$10 Products With Some Real “Oh, You’re Like, Super Into Fall” Energy * Things You’ll Wish You’d Bought Last Fall Because They’re That Good * Things You Need If You Plan On Being Cozy All Fall Long * If You Wait All Year For Fall Fashion, You’ll Want These 31 Cute Pieces BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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