As the temperatures cool and the leaves change hue, many people embrace the autumnal atmosphere. Although summer is enjoyed and anticipated, many people seem to have a special sentiment around the fall and winter seasons. This sentiment is caused by nostalgia, capitalism, and a psychological appeal.
Many people attach their liking towards each respective season based on the nostalgia it brings them. For instance, the fall season has landmark holidays such as Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Veterans Day, Diwali, and Thanksgiving. The winter season contains holidays like Christmas, Advent, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. These holidays often have a nostalgic sentiment around them because of childhood memories and celebrating with friends and family, which often makes people anticipate seasons like fall and winter more than spring or summer.
“I feel joy when I know holidays are approaching because it’s a time that I get to be around my family and friends, which makes me happy,” Lily Prat (11) said.
Even if one isn’t sentimental about the holidays because of familial celebrations, capitalism gives a special appeal to fall and winter seasons, making them more appealing to the masses. Many cafes and food chains like Starbucks or Dutch Bros, adopt fall or winter themed menus that feature warm and sweet flavors, which adds a layer of comfort to people’s lives. In the fashion industry, many brands adopt advertising mechanisms to appeal to many people’s affinity towards fall and winter by advertising their clothes as warm, comforting, and trendy to set the seasonal “vibe”.
“There’s an uptick in neutral and cool colors, and a business casual [style] in catalogues and on runways,” Theo Williams (11) said.
During the fall and winter months, many people associate happy memories with the holidays during the seasons. Since holidays are very nostalgic, people get subconsciously excited and comfortable during the holiday seasons. When fall hits, it brings a sense of familiar routine to many, since this is the time when school starts, and most don’t take as many leisure trips. This naturally occurring schedule gives many people a sense of familiarity, which incites a sense of comfort and stability. This sentiment can also help people feel more productive and motivated. Fall and winter are attributed with warm colors, which often calm the mind and make these seasons more aesthetic.
“The fall leaves are so pretty and make me want to walk and go on runs more,” Williams said.
Through clever marketing, nostalgia, and a psychological appeal, the fall and winter seasons have a unique appeal that the rest of the year lacks. As temperatures cool and the leaves gently fall, the magic of the holidays comes to life, so enjoy it.
