Tomorrow marks the first official day of fall, and although it doesn’t quite feel like it just yet, that means the cool weather and vibrant sunsets of autumn are just around the corner!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I’ve gathered a few fun activities that you can do to usher in the new season in a special way.

• All-Fall Hikes. Plan to hike the same trail each week during fall so that your little ones can see just how much the landscape changes throughout the season.
• Fall Scavenger Hunts. Challenge your kids to find seasonal foods like squash, apples and cranberries, a leaf of every color from the neighborhood and fall flowers like Chrysanthemums or Golden Rod.
• Visiting the Pumpkin Patch. Medium-sized, fully orange pumpkins are the best for carving. We also recommend picking your carving pattern before you go shopping so you can find the right pumpkin for your intended design.
• Plan a Fall Feast. Get the kids in the kitchen to whip up some homemade applesauce, pumpkin cupcakes and toasted pumpkin seeds.
• Host an Old Fashioned Cider Party. Bundle up and head out around the fire pit or cozy up next to the fireplace for a cider party full of classic games and good times.
• Fall Crafts. Gather twigs, pine cones and leaves to make your own wild animals like these from Family Fun.

Most importantly, get outside and enjoy the beautiful sights that greet us every fall!

Celebrated on the first Monday in September, Labor Day was originally dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American workforce. Today, it serves as an unofficial end to summer, an extra chance to sleep in and a fabulous excuse for a party!

Here are a few ideas to help with your celebration inspiration:

The Labor Day Barbecue

As classic as gingham tablecloths at a picnic, the Labor Day cookout is a timeless celebration that you can easily turn into an annual affair. Make it a potluck, or prep your kebabs and meat marinades in advance to give yourself plenty of time to mingle instead of being cooped up in the kitchen all day.

You can even find easy, healthy kebab recipes from Woman’s Day!

The Sizzling Summer Cocktail Party

Bid a fond farewell to summer with a classic cocktail party. Host a sleek white party, or keep the mood light with comfortable outdoor seating, fruity drinks, summery music and a range of tasty small bites and appetizers.

Get some appetizer inspiration from Hostess with the Mostess.

The Beachside Bash

Pack up your party supplies and head to the coast for one last beach bash! Even if you are landlocked, hosting a nautical-themed Labor Day party is a great way to say goodbye to summer in style.

Find some fun nautical party ideas from HWTM as well!

In our party planning research, we occasionally come across certain rumors that send us into a spin. Recently, the big news was that one of the most famous celebrity toddlers in Hollywood today celebrated her birthday with a party that cost $100,000, with $45,000 going toward catering bills and $5,000 spent on the cake alone!

Yahoo!’s Spotlight to Nightlight just ran a feature on the celebrity baby party scene, with tips from the owner of The Party Goddess to help you plan your child’s big bash with all the style and flair of a Hollywood superstar. The whole topic leaves us curious—would you dish out big bucks for your child’s celebration?

What do you think is the best way to celebrate your little one’s special day? Do blowout birthday parties for babies make you want to rant or rave? You tell us!

from one of The Party Goddess’s stylish events