The holidays are coming! The bright colors of early and mid-autumn will soon be replaced by shades of beige and grey.

Soon, the only bright spot in the flowerbeds will be the red berries on the holly. Then, at some point, the flowerbeds will be covered in bright, white snow.

Activities change to go with the new season. Deer season is in the thoughts of hunters. Our family members were never dedicated hunters, but we did encourage hunters to ask for permission to help reduce the deer population.

During the six-week period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, our calendar has filled with special events and gatherings to celebrate the season. But our celebrations have changed over the years. I see our Christmas celebration this year being much quieter as our children and grandchildren have grown up.

Some local businesses near me provide venues for personal celebrations with family and friends. For example, Plant’s Herb Farm and Bed and Breakfast in Mercer, Pa., hosts holiday teas with beautiful decorations inside and out. Guests can find unique gifts and treasures to purchase.

Debbie Plant, owner and hostess, prepares teas, herb packets and other items that incorporate the herbs she grows. She has tea parties for guests by reservation.

Plant also provides teas for groups that are looking for something different to do with family and friends. She enjoys hosting parties and overnight guests at her hidden-away location.

Fall harvest was early

Out here near my place, the dry fall allowed for harvest to be completed much faster than usual. The goal on my farm was always to be done by Thanksgiving. Weather often made that impossible. Farmers were way ahead of the game this year.

As machinery is cleaned up and put to bed for the winter, farmers will start concentrating on their plans for the new year.

Farm families have always been frugal. In these times of inflation, these frugal habits pay off. Regardless, prices at the grocery store are still rising. Recently, the price of butter was marked as a special: $4.29 per pound. The clerk who posted the special price neglected to remove the previous price of $3.99 per pound. That is not much of a special.

An organization that traditionally had a steak fry as a fall fundraiser was told that the steaks could be as much as $25 per pound. The event was changed into a harvest festival with chicken and ham as the meat option. Inflation touches us all.

This holiday season, find something for your family to do that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Being together is the most important thing.

Those who are finishing up harvest, be safe.

And as always, happy holidays to all.

Gregg writes from western Pennsylvania. She is the Pennsylvania 2019 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture and is a past president of American Agri-Women.