There is just something about the crisp bites of fall that make your heart race, your nose tingle and your steps livelier. As summer winds down and cool days move in, you think less of cold summer salads at beach picnics. The kids are back in school. It is time to get out the cook book, settle in the favorite chair and plan your fall parties. You can almost smell the banana bread and cinnamon tea aromas flowing through the house right now! The first day of fall is September 22 and of course, Halloween parties follow up fast in October.

The Harvest Moon occurs for about a week during the month of September at a time when farmers are busy gathering their crops for the upcoming winter. "Harvest Moon" is the name given to the full moon occurring nearest the autumnal equinox (around September 23rd) and it marks the first day of fall.

Many years ago before the invention of electricity or farm equipment with lights, the stronger light of the harvest moon made it possible for the farmers to extend their work day well into the evening.

The end of the growing season and bountiful harvests gathered were plenty enough reason to celebrate the wonderful fruits of fall. Fall Festivals began in order to bring neighbors together to share the good food and precious spare time provided by the fall season. You can share warmth, great food and time with your family and friends by throwing your own fall party. Be organized! Enjoy starting the season off right by making a list of your friends, writing down your party plans (or follow our outline in this article) and start early by sending out your special fall party invitations. Send out autumn theme or fall theme invitations like the ones you can find on ImpressInPrint.com to get your guests in the right frame-of-mind for your cool, autumn party.

Nature tables are lovely this time of year with a bowl of cinnamon potpourri nestled in a bevy of fallen leaves, nuts, hay and pine-cones. With the rich, warm colors of autumn fruits, leaves and winter squashes, it is easy to decorate with "edible" decorations.

An interesting and entertaining activity for this time of year is a "Harvest House" which is traditionally used at Succot, the Jewish Harvest Festival.

Cut one long side from an empty cardboard box. Decorate the box, inside and out, with pictures of vegetables and fruits. Make a table and chairs from twigs and blocks or use furniture from your doll house. Spread twigs and leaves on top of the box to form a roof. Then hang small bunches of fruits (such as grapes of currants) from the ceiling.

Use gourds and simple bowls of leaves as centerpieces. They are beautiful when in use and are easy to clean up. A fantastic idea for a festive fall party "punch bowl" is a hollowed-out pumpkin. Pick a pumpkin that is uniform and even on the bottom so it will sit well on a table. Simply cut off the top and hollow out the pumpkin as if you were going to make a jack-o-lantern. You can take a black magic marker and draw a pumpkin face on the front if you wish, but most people just leave the natural beauty of the piece for all to enjoy. Make sure the pumpkin is scraped out inside very well and rinse it out with ice water. Then fill it with your choice of hot or cold fall refreshment. Use the top as the lid. Some people have even taken the small mini-pumpkins and made matching pumpkin cups. That is a cute and festive idea, if you have the time!

A warm drink, a cool shake and a spicy salad will put you in the mood for celebrating the unique fall season at your party. These are quick and easy food ideas for your fall party.

Be sure to try these great fall favorites for your gathering!

Simmered Fall Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 or 3 cloves

Simmer on the stove for 20-30 minutes. Take out cloves before serving.

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Banana Pumpkin "Shake"

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 1 banana
• dash of cinnamon

Blend in blender until smooth and foamy. Serve immediately.

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Applesauce Cinnamon Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 (3 ounce) packages raspberry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup cinnamon candies
• 4 cups applesauce

Add gelatin to boiling water and candies.Stir in applesauce and chill until firm.