Pumpkin spice lattes have become the mascot of fall, and honestly? If that first sip makes your whole week better, I love that for you. What I don’t love is the way Big Coffee has turned PSL season into a corporate holiday. Fall is too good to be defined by one flavor.
So let’s give some love to the other scents that deserve their moment in October!
1. Freshly Lit Candles
Of course the smell of a great Fall-vibes candle is great, but that tiny puff of smoke when you strike a match? Instant cozy vibes. It’s like flipping a switch from “chaotic day” to “okay, we’re nesting now.”
2. Apple Cider (or Just… Apples)
Crisp, tart, and a little sweet, apples are basically nature’s PSL. Whether it’s a mug of hot cider or the first bite of a Honeycrisp, it’s a smell that says, “Yep, it’s Fall.” Growing up in Southern California, we visit places like Oak Glen or Julian every year to pick apples and eat apple cider doughnuts. It's absolute heaven. Apples = Fall.
3. Candy Wrappers
This is nostalgia wrapped in plastic. The smell of mini Snickers, lollipop sticks, and that faint waxy note from a pillowcase full of candy is basically October bottled.
4. Crunchy Leaves
Dry, earthy, faintly sweet. Kicking through leaves isn’t just about the sound, it’s that subtle smell of change in the air. Free aromatherapy courtesy of Mother Nature.
5. Cold Night Air
Speaking of air... that sharp, crisp October air has a smell all its own. Step outside after dark, hoodie up, and you’re living peak Fall.
The Takeaway
October is a whole playlist of scents, not just pumpkin spice. If PSL is your anthem, play it loud. But don’t forget the B-sides: apples, candy wrappers, and crunchy leaves.
Your turn: What’s your non-pumpkin fall scent? Comment, tell us on Instagram @exoh.co (or whisper it to the night air).