Somewhere on the outskirts of campus, the author of this article is making the arduous journey toward Northside, boasting uneven terrain and steep upward slopes in all their glory, as she attempts to walk back to her dorm room. Finally arriving, she steps into the shared space, immediately welcomed by a forest of dangling spring floral vines. Bought on a late-night whim, the vines are slightly shaking as the music from the adjacent Hearst Greek Theatre reverberates through the walls. The sweet smell of summer overwhelms her senses, somehow contained within a single bottle of Febreze. She happily turns to her calendar, which now reads “October,” and walks toward —
Wait, what?
She double-checks the calendar, simply perplexed when the corresponding cat of the month continues to stare her down unblinkingly. She pulls out her phone calendar and confirms that, yes, the beginnings of the autumn season have passed, forgotten in the depths of midterm season and ongoing academic crises.
She looks around her room again, this time in distress, as a frown begins to tug on her face; the decorations in her room are simply not adequate for the current season. She scrambles to pull out her wallet, looking to rectify the situation, only to be met with the sad sight of a few crumpled bills and the lack of a driver’s license — a fact that is quite laughable.
Unbeknown to her, just one mile southwest, on the bustling street of Telegraph Avenue, sits an array of shops that offer the perfect fall decorations to celebrate the current season. If you find yourself in the same predicament as our fair author, look no further! Here are the best places to shop for affordable fall decor, all located just a short walk from campus.
Gifts of Tara
After a brief four-minute walk from Upper Sproul Plaza, I walked into Gifts of Tara and was instantly greeted by the fragrant aroma of incense and comforted by the interior’s homey appearance. Turning my head to the right, I marveled at the wide collection of spiritual jewelry and brilliant crystals that seemed to glow as I walked past them. As I ventured farther into the store, I was mesmerized by the sheer cultural display, drawn toward the scattered ornaments with a childlike wonder. However, I didn’t notice the perfect fall decorative item until I spoke with the owner, whose passion for his shop made my experience all the better. He pointed out the lanterns that adorned the ceiling of the store, each one decorated intricately with elegant designs, the lights inside bathing the room in a soft glow. At just $15 each, they’re well worth the price and are the perfect alternative to the harsh overhead lights of the average dorm room. Keep in mind that the fairy lights within the lanterns need to be bought separately, but, overall, they serve as the perfect decorative piece for anyone looking to recreate the magic of floating lanterns this fall season!
Moe’s Books
As I stepped foot into Moe’s Books, it felt as though I had entered a new world filled with endless knowledge. Within the walls of this bookshop lie undeniable hidden gems for all those who want an old-library charm for their room. With the store looking like a scene straight out of “Notting Hill,” I was able to live out my Julia Roberts fantasy as I walked around the store in search of items that conveyed the perfect autumnal aesthetic. Beyond the obvious books dispersed around the store, Moe’s Books also offers maps and postcards that can be hung in any space for an added vintage look. My favorite items were the Cavallini Papers & Co. posters for $10, which featured all types of visuals — the most fall-focused one being an assortment of flowers, best suited for those who enjoy the nature aspect of this season. Making my way downstairs, I stumbled upon a wide variety of prints for only $5 containing every image imaginable — from colored to black-and-white, modern to antique. Any of these items would be the perfect addition to your new fall-decorated room.
Fun Park
There’s no better way to keep the vampires out this Halloween than with garlic. But let’s be honest, none of us have the strong urge to hide raw garlic inside our room, especially if it’ll overshadow all the pumpkin spice-scented candles we’re itching to buy. It’s quite a predicament, but not to worry! If it’s garlic you’re after, it’s garlic you’ll find. Fun Park, sitting at the intersection of Durant Avenue and Sather Lane, sells the cutest stuffed toy garlic for only $5.99 — the best way to ward off those nightmares. Additionally, nothing screams autumn more than sunflowers! You don’t want to miss Fun Park’s crocheted flowers; the price of individual flowers ranges from $10 to $15, while crocheted potted plants cost anywhere between $25 and $35. Overall, the store lives up to its name: It’s definitely fun, with plenty of fall decoration finds you’ll want to check out.
Moe’s Flowers
If you prefer the living vibrance of real flowers instead, Moe’s Flowers — which has no association with Moe’s Books — is right across the street from Sather Lane. This flower shop boasts a wonderful selection of fall-flowering beauties. Personally, I’ve always been naturally drawn to sunflowers, but Moe himself will arrange a custom bouquet with any flower assortment of your choosing. Just be prepared to come with a bit of patience and leniency for his rather fiery attitude. But if flowers are simply not your aesthetic this autumn, the store also offers a display of cacti. If neither of these pique your interest, Moe also has a back display of fall vases — ancient and from China, he says — with prices ranging from $15 to $20.
After an eventful afternoon spent roaming around the surrounding streets of her college campus, our author returns to her humble abode — pressure marks on her shoulder from the weight of her shopping bags pressing into her skin — now fully equipped to take on the task of decorating her room. She hopes her recommendations will inspire all her readers to find new places to shop for fall decor this season. Happy shopping!