25 Simple & Cozy November Bucket List Ideas (+FREE Printable)

Slow down and find joy in everyday moments with these 25 simple & cozy November Bucket List Ideas to help you unwind during the first month of fall. Plus, grab the FREE printable bucket list + bingo card to make it extra fun! ✨

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November is such a special time of month. Fall is in full swing, and the holiday season is just around the corner.

While I love December, I think I love November even more just because of all the excitement around fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

In this post, I’m sharing my free printable November bucket list + bingo card to help you make the most of this month. Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Veteran’s Day, and the start of holiday season are all fun things to look forward to.

There are so many simple & cozy things to do this time of year, and this November bucket list is packed full of activities to do with friends, family, or just solo.

🌸 Looking for self care ideas? Download my FREE printable list of 101 Self Care Ideas!

I love celebrating the seasons & holidays, and making a monthly bucket list helps me live each month with intention and do all the simple, cozy, seasonal activities to relax and enjoy life even after the 9-5 grind.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place! You can use this bucket list to plan a fun activity to do after a long day at work, on Friday night, or the weekend. There’s no pressure – do as much or as little as you like! ☺️

I even have a FREE printable bucket list that you can print out or use on your phone! To make things extra fun, I also made a printable bingo card that you can turn into a game or use as an activity advent calendar!

Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!

1. Host Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is such a fun way to celebrate the season with friends! I’d keep things casual with a potluck-style dinner where everyone brings their favorite dish, so no one has to do all the cooking. If you need some inspiration for what to bring, check out these 5-ingredient Thanksgiving side dish ideas!

2. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade

Even though I don’t live in NYC anymore (at least for now 👀), I still love watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s also a nice way to de-stress before Thanksgiving prep begins!

3. Honor your local veterans

You could attend a local Veterans Day ceremony, visit a veterans memorial, or even send a thank-you note to a veteran you know.

4. Shop on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

It’s a great way to get a head start on holiday gifts or things you’ve been wanting to buy! Small Business Saturday is also a great excuse to explore local boutiques and independent stores for more unique presents.

5. Watch ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’

This is such a fun idea for a cozy November evening at home! You could make some popcorn, prep a few easy snacks, and get comfortable on the couch with your favorite blanket.

6. Donate to a food bank

You could donate canned goods, pantry staples, or grocery gift cards to a local food bank, or check whether your community is organizing a holiday food drive. You can do this on any budget, even if you’re only able to contribute a few items.

7. Watch a football game

Is it really November without watching a little football? Especially the post-Thanksgiving game! Check out these 27 easy game day recipes with 5 ingredients or less for all the easy snack inspiration.

8. Have a Thanksgiving feast

If you live in America, this is the biggest holiday that falls in November. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner, celebrating with friends, or having a solo dinner, it’s a great excuse to make some of your favorite comfort foods and holiday dishes. Make sure to check out my easy 5-ingredient Thanksgiving menu, or this roundup of 5-ingredient Thanksgiving sides for holiday dinner help!

9. Try a new fall dinner recipe

Fall is one of my favorite times to cook and bake – I love all the yummy fall flavors! If you need some inspiration, check out this list of 15 easy butternut squash recipes or these 5-ingredient high protein fall dinners!

10. Bake a pumpkin or apple pie

You can really make any pie you want, but apple and pumpkin are classics this time of year! If pie is not your cup of tea, here are 25 other fall desserts you can make with 5 ingredients or less!

11. Cozy up in a coffee shop with a seasonal drink

One of my favorite ways to enjoy a new season is by visiting a cute coffee shop and ordering something festive! November is the perfect time to try a maple latte, pumpkin spice latte, or peppermint mocha. Find a cozy corner, bring a book or journal, and spend an hour enjoying a slow morning.

12. Eat some apple cider donuts

Enjoy the end of autumn by indulging in some yummy apple cider donuts! Bonus points if you get it fresh from a farmer’s market or farm. Or even make your own batch at home!

13. Make a charcuterie board

Charcuterie boards are the best lazy girl hosting hacks ever because they look impressive without requiring any actual cooking! For a November-inspired board, I’d include sliced apples and pears, a few cheeses, crackers, nuts, dried cranberries, and a little cranberry jam or honey. Trader Joe’s is my personal favorite place to buy stuff for a board!

14. Bake snickerdoodle cookies

You can make a batch of snickerdoodles any time of year, but my favorite time to make them is during the holiday season!

15. Start a gratitude journal

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, November is the perfect time to write down what you’ve been grateful for this year. You can write these down in a journal, a gratitude jar, or even in little envelopes!

16. Make a DIY Thanksgiving table centerpiece

Making a DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece is such a fun way to get creative! Check out Michael’s and the Dollar Store for budget-friendly decor.

17. Make an autumn scrapbook

Gather photos from your favorite outings, leaves you collected on walks, ticket stubs, and any other small keepsakes that remind you of all the fun you had this season. You can add handwritten notes about what you did, where you went, or what brought you joy.

18. Make handprint turkeys

Handprint turkeys are such a classic Thanksgiving craft, and I love how simple and inexpensive they are to make! You could even write each person’s name or something they’re thankful for on their turkey to make the activity extra meaningful.

19. Create a recipe book

If you have a collection of favorite recipes scattered across cookbooks, websites, and handwritten notes, November is a great time to organize them into your own recipe book! I’d start with the dishes I make most often, then add family favorites, holiday recipes, and easy weeknight dinners as I go. You can use a pretty notebook, a binder with printed recipe cards, or even a digital document if you prefer keeping everything online.

20. Plant bulbs

November might feel like the end of gardening season, but it’s actually a great time to plan ahead for spring flowers! Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses can often be planted in fall so they’ll have time to establish before blooming in spring.

21. Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Local soup kitchens and community organizations often need help this time of year preparing meals, serving food, organizing donations, or distributing Thanksgiving groceries. I think volunteering is a wonderful reminder that the season is about more than holiday shopping and festive decorations.

22. Visit a local bookstore

I love wandering around bookstores, I could seriously be there for hours. November is also a fun time to look for cozy seasonal reads, holiday cookbooks, or books that could turn into gifts.

23. Join a turkey trot

A turkey trot is such a fun way to get outside and be active on Thanksgiving morning! Many communities host Thanksgiving Day 5Ks, fun runs, and walks, so you can usually find an option that suits your fitness level.

24. Plan a fall scavenger hunt

A fall scavenger hunt is a fun way to turn an ordinary walk into a little adventure! I’d make a list of seasonal things to find, such as colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, pumpkins, squirrels, and houses decorated for Thanksgiving. You can do it with kids, challenge a friend, or even try it solo while exploring a local park or neighborhood.

25. Attend the local holiday tree lighting

Many towns have their holiday tree lighting ceremonies in November, and it’s a great way to get together with your community and get into the holiday spirit!

Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!

🛁 More Self-Care Ideas & Printables

• 101 Easy Self Care Ideas
• 50 Winter Self Care Ideas

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