Easy DIY Happy Sukkot Fall Leaf Garland (Sukkah Decoration Idea)

Here's a very simple, eco-friendly DIY project you can make to decorate for Sukkot this year! Making a fall leaf garland is a quick craft project for the Feast of Tabernacles that can be used to decorate your home, office, church, sukkah, or other temporary dwelling.

What I love about this fall leaf garland for Sukkot:

-Super simple to make!
-It's very inexpensive since you can easily gather leaves from your yard or a local park, and you can use any kind of string or twine you happen to have.
-Kids can be involved with writing letters or decorating leaves.
-It doesn't last forever. Most of us have more than enough things to store throughout the year. I'm happy for something festive that I can let go of.
-Eco friendly. This is one craft project that doesn't use plastic or things shipped from the other side of the world. When you're finished with it, release your leaves outside or toss them in the compost bin.

What you'll need:

-leaves
-string
-tape 
-marker

How to make a fall leaf garland for Sukkot:

All you need to do for this is to write letters on individual leaves, spelling out your message. Mine says Happy Sukkot! I used orange marker on yellow leaves from my backyard trees, but you can use any color of marker (black provides more contrast and can be easier to read), and of course whatever particular shades and shapes of leaves suit your fancy. 

Then tape the leaves onto the string. Be sure to give yourself extra room on the ends of the string (I used yarn) so that you can attach them to something in your sukkah, or otherwise hang up, if necessary.

And that's it! The leaves will curl up and dry after a day or two, so this garland doesn't last forever. But it's easy enough that you could remake it throughout Sukkot if you wanted and you could change up the colors and the message itself.

Another option to make your banner last longer is to dip the leaves in beeswax once you have put the letters on and proceed as directed.

Phrases to make:

Happy Sukkot

Happy Tabernacles

Sukkah Time

He's coming to dwell with us

Chag sameach

Happy 8th day

This is a low waste banner! When you're done with your garland it's easy to compost or can be burned.

More ideas for the Feast of Tabernacles:
DIY Happy Sukkot Pumpkin Candleholders
Biblically Clean Campfire Recipes for Tabernacles
Inspiration for Your Sukkah

Questions and Answers About the Biblical Holidays of Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles

These are questions I frequently am asked about the Biblical holidays of the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These are also known as the fall feasts because they happen in early autumn in the northern parts of the world. I am a believer in Messiah and do my best to answer questions based on what the Bible says and not man's traditions.

I'm getting a good understanding of Yom Teruah, but Sukkot still confuses me a bit.Keep learning! During Sukkot/Tabernacles we set up tents or traditional sukkahs as a reminder that one day the Messiah will return and tabernacle with us once again!See this post about what Sukkot is and why we should celebrate it.

Simple beginner ways to acknowledge and celebrate?

Start with putting these holidays on your calendar. Host a dinner party or Bible study to discuss and celebrate these special times. Don't worry about man's traditions - read through Scripture and see what it says.

How do I start? I have never done this and the rest of my family celebrates traditional holidays.

Start with what's doable for you. How about making a plan for a special dinner on the feast days? Make it festive with decorations and music. Light candles or get out your fancy dishes. Talk about the significance of these holidays and what they mean.

What do we eat?

Make things that you enjoy and will look forward to. If there's a time to pull out the stops, and make great food it's during YHWH's feasts!

Apples and honey are traditionally eaten at Yom Teruah and stuffed foods at Sukkot. But these are just traditional and are completely optional. I find myself eating a lot of campfire foods and grilled things during Sukkot. It also makes sense to take advantage of what's in season for you as Sukkot is a harvest festival. Garden vegetables like tomatoes, squash, aubergines, and peppers are great at this time of year.

When you first started celebrating the feasts did you make it grandiose?

Not at all. The first time I celebrated each I felt like I was struggling to get through the basics. I didn't know a single person who kept these holidays and couldn't find so much as a picture online of what these days were supposed to look like. So if that's where you're at know that you aren't alone and that it really does become sooo much easier each year!

What are the traditional fast days?

Yom Kippur is the set apart time where believers traditionally fast.

If you have never fasted before, set yourself up for success with a little practice beforehand. Skip breakfast and see how that goes. Try it a few times to get used to it. It will be significantly easier to fast for a day if you're used to fasting a meal here and there!

What does Yom Kippur look like with three young kids?

Get them involved! Read Bible stories and do crafts together. Talk about the special times and what they mean. Kids are not expected to fast. If you're fasting plan a special meal with them to break your fast with. They will see what you're doing and learn from your example.

How do you celebrate this day in your church?

My church has a potluck dinner for most of the feast days.

During Sukkot we rent a campsite at a state park, etc. We have a message, share a meal, and hangout around the campfire. There's also swimming, hiking, and playgrounds for anyone who wants to enjoy those!

How can I keep them when my husband isn't on board?

Do what YOU can. Take the no-work days off and go somewhere you can pray, worship, and study. See if a friend wants to join in. Look over the instructions for each holiday and incorporate what you can.

Tips for keeping the feast when living at home and parents don't agree?

Invite them to participate with you but don't make it your job to convince them of this. Continue to honor them and be respectful as you set an example of keeping the feasts. Maybe they don't want the living room decorated but can you still decorate in your room? Maybe they wouldn't appreciate a shofar blasting all day long, but can you put on some worship music they like? Focus on what you can do! If you want to invite them to do something with you make sure you are in charge of it (make the food, lead the study, etc.). Make plans for worship, study, and joy during these times. Get out of the house if need be.

Praying they are drawn to more of his truth as they see you honor the Creator in this way!

What's your family doing this year?

Excited for a congregational Yom Teruah celebration at a lake this year! There will be a potluck, message, time to enjoy creation, and discussion of how YHWH is working in everyone's lives right now.

How should I celebrate them if I am alone in my faith?

Find joy in these special times even if it's private. Maybe see about going to a lovely lake or park area for quiet time with YHWH. Have a dance party to worship music by yourself! Make a special meal or dessert. Rest and enjoy this time.

Is the tent on Sukkot optional?

Leviticus 23:42 says that we should dwell in temporary shelters. People handle this verse in a variety of ways. Some go tent camping or stay in an RV or cabin. Others put up some sort of sukkah outside and just eat meals in it.

Pray and see what the Creator is calling you to!

I've always wondered about staying in a camper/RV. It seems a tent may be more appropriate.

I mean a tent is definitely going to be closer to how the Israelites lived in the desert. But I applaud anyone making an effort at a temporary shelter during the Feast of Tabernacles!

Should we still offer sacrifices?

If you are a believer in the Messiah then no animal sacrifice is needed! More on that in this post.

Minimalist supplies on a budget - what can we make or thrift?

Pretty much anything! Greenery from your yard is festive and free. Decorates with apples, pumpkins, etc. and enjoy them later. Thrifted curtains are an inexpensive way to make an unconventional sukkah. Use pretty dishes, candles, and tablecloths that you already have. Inexpensive balloons and streamers add a lot of festivity to a space.

If you have a menorah the feasts are the perfect time to light it up!

Also check out free printables from my blog and Torah Sisters.

Where can I find feast printables?

We fall for the fall feasts.

Happy Yom Teruah!

Yom Teruah printable card.

Ephesians 1:7 Printable for Yom Kippur.

Palm Frond, Myrtle, Citron, and Willow.

Any books you'd recommend for perspectives on how to begin?

Edward Chumney's The Seven Festivals of the Messiah was so eye-opening to me when I was learning about these set apart times. He shares historic and prophetic significance of each feast as well as practical ideas for your celebrations.

Books for kids?

Definitely would recommend The Special Days by Danielle Kerr!

Favorite Messianic resources to teach/involve young kids?

Bible Pathway Adventures has some great stuff for kids!

Do you do traditional prayers and blessings?

I do not. Unfortunately many of the traditional blessings contain Biblical untruths (such as YHWH commanding candles to be lit on the Sabbath and Yom Kippur, no such instruction is found in Scripture). Traditional blessings and prayers can be lovely guidelines, but make sure what you're saying fits with your best understanding of what Scripture says!

I know it's not a feast but do you observe Hanukkah as well?

I personally do not. It's easier for my family and friends to accept that I don't do Christmas because it's not in the Bible, if I'm not doing other holidays that aren't in Scripture. More on that in this post.

How do you share with others about the Biblical holidays?

I find that sharing my experiences with the set apart times and how many faith has grown because of them puts people at ease.

Most people are receptive to the historic and prophetic significance of the feasts, and these topics tend to spark interest rather than debate or offense.

Try starting from these angles, rather than a message of "you're doing faith wrong," or cultural holidays being pagan. Sharing the facts and personal joys offers opportunity for them to learn more, rather than just hearing they are doing something else wrong.

Related posts:
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays
Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah
8 Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles

We Fall for the Fall Feasts Printable

I wanted to offer a free printable as an easy way to decorate for the Fall Feasts. This captures a bit of the essence of all the fall holidays, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, so you can keep it around for the entire season.

We fall for:
tabernacles and trumpets
sukkahs and shofars
pumpkins and prayers
leaves and laughter
fires with friends
autumn anticipation
the fall feasts.

The we fall for the fall feasts printable is free for your personal use. Click here to download.

Have an amazing time of joy as you celebrate our Creator's set apart times!

Yom Kippur Scripture Reading List

Reading Scripture is an important part of preparing for any of the Biblical holidays! Since the Creator's holidays don't get the hype of the cultural ones with sections of decorations in stores or songs on the radio, saturating yourself in the pertinent Scriptures is a great way to build anticipation for these special times and to calibrate yourself to our Creator's calendar! Here are Scriptures to read for Yom Kippur. They would also be great to study on the day of or to have children act out as part of the festivities.

Yom Kippur Scripture Reading List:

Leviticus 16 - instructions for Yom Kippur.

Leviticus 23:27-32 - talks about Yom Kippur being a day of rest.

Numbers 29:7-11 - details the offerings to be presented to YHWH.

Psalm 32  - a Psalm about the blessings of having our sins be covered.

Isaiah 53 - prophecy of the Messiah being killed for our sins.

Jonah - this is traditionally read on Yom Kippur. The topic of repentance and forgiveness coincides with this set apart time.

Acts 27:9 - here is a mention of New Testament believers paying attention to the Biblical holidays, long after Yahusha ascended into Heaven.

Romans 5 - the Messiah's blood justifies us, and we are forgiven of our sins through him.

Hebrews 9-10 - this is a passage with many details on the Messiah's sacrifice and priesthood. It also calls for perseverance of our faith.

Hebrews 13:11-13 - talks about how the Levitical high priest would offer sacrifices on Yom Kippur and compares that to the Messiah's work. Calls our attention to Yahusha's priesthood over the Levitical.

1 Peter 1:2 - says that we are sprinkled with the Messiah's blood.

1 Peter 2:24 - says that the Messiah bore our iniquities on the tree and quotes from Isaiah 53.

1 John 2:2 - the Messiah is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Related posts:
The Meaning of Yom Kippur (Day of Covering)
Prayer and Fasting on Yom Kippur
Ephesians 1:7 Printable

Autumn Anticipation - Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays

Is it legalism to celebrate the Biblical holidays?

If you are someone that keeps the Creator's set apart times, then chances are good that someone has told you that you're being legalistic. Or maybe you've heard about the Biblical holidays but you've always thought keeping them would be akin to picking up a giant burden of legalism?

I have been told by many well-meaning Believers that celebrating Passover, Sukkot, and the rest of the feasts is a burden that is just too heavy to bear. And that sure, while it's in the Bible, YHWH never intended us to be so excessive as to actually observe these times. And to be honest, I guess I used to feel that way too. But that was before I started celebrating. Now that I have experienced these things for myself and know the joy that comes from that I wouldn't want to go back to ignoring the times Scripture says to set apart. I don't find anything legalistic, overbearing, or unpleasant about them. It is meaningful and joyful to celebrate the holidays given to us by the Creator.

Every year I marvel at how many churches and ministries have special events going on during the Feasts. There are retreats and fall festivals during Sukkot. Ice cream socials and special worship nights happen on Shavuot. Every year a church down the road from us has a beef and noodle dinner (unintentionally) on Yom Teruah.

I could literally give you a hundred examples of things like this. Churches host potlucks and concerts. Youth groups camp out during Sukkot. Ministries have fund raising events or volunteer appreciation night. Does anyone think going to one of these things is being legalistic?

Really, do you think it's legalism to put together a special event? What if it's an event intended to honor YHWH or to bring his people together? Do you feel like that's something that shouldn't be done or something that the Creator wouldn't want?

If you don't currently celebrate the Biblical holidays, you should know that the celebrations are a lot like the above events. A night of worship, a beef and noodle dinner, or carnival activities would all be great ways to spend one of the set apart times...and if you don't have a problem with doing those things at other times of year, why is it a problem to do them when Scripture tells us to?

Recently there was a social media post by a popular Christian author about how excited she was for Labor Day and how she could get behind any holiday that calls for a day off. Well good news for her, there are seven days in Scripture where we are told to rest. (In addition to the weekly Sabbath.)

I truly believe that our Creator put a longing deep within each of us to celebrate his festivals, and that's why people go so nuts for Fall, are overjoyed at the thought of Springtime approaching, and are so ready for summer by the end of May...these are all times he has set apart for us. But if we don't know what his holidays are, or if we have believed the lie that these days are somehow bad, then that desire might end up manifesting as a love for pumpkin spice lattes, cute sweaters, and the leaves changing colors, or being excited for Labor Day. That longing is there for a purpose and The Creator has more for us at these times of year.

More on the Biblical set apart times:
You are invited to keep the Feasts!
What are the Biblical holidays?
Celebrate Yom Teruah
Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah
Why I started celebrating the Biblical holidays

Six Things You Can Do To Get Ready for the Fall Feasts

It's beginning to feel - just a little - like autumn. As the transition from summertime to the fall happens there is an undeniable excitement in the air. While most of the country would say that's because of pumpkin spice lattes, football season, and cozy sweaters, I can't help but see that the Creator intended this autumn anticipation to be for his set apart times.

The Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles are coming up soon. Those ten days were created for spiritual significance and also as a time of tremendous joy! While many of us have been told that keeping the feasts is a burden too heavy to bear, I'm just not convinced of that. Vacation days, outdoor time in the beautiful fall weather, cookouts with delicious foods, bouts of laughter with friends and family, travel, relaxing evenings in the starlight, spiritual growth...those are things to celebrate. 

The Creator invites you to these special moments of joy with him. Here are a few things you can do to start preparing.

Six things you can do today to get ready for the Fall Feasts:

Prepare your calendar. If you don't know when the upcoming feasts are then now is the time to find out! Different groups use different calendars, pick one and go with it. Then free yourself up to celebrate! Put in for time off from work, let teachers know when your kids will be out of school, don't plan any major home projects, and clear other commitments from your schedule if need be. The most common dates that Land of Honey readers go by can be found here.

Make plans. How do you want to spend these holidays? Do you have a congregation nearby? Can you pitch in with planning for a group celebration? Would you like to travel to spend time with like minded believers? Now is the time to see about meeting with others. You could throw a stargazing party and invite friends and family to learn more about the feasts. Or you could take a camping trip for Sukkot. Whether home or away, you can plan for festive dinners, times of Scripture study, and fun activities and games throughout the feast times.  

Study to learn about the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles. Studying helps to build anticipation and excitement and there's always something new to be learned about YHWH's set apart times, no matter if you've celebrated before or not. Read through Leviticus 23 or do a word study on 'teruah' or learn what the Messiah had to say during Sukkot. You could also delve into a book such as Eddie Chumeny's The Seven Festivals of the Messiah.

Plan your sukkah. Once you've decided how to spend Sukkot, take some time to go over the logistics. What can you use for a temporary dwelling place, or sukkah? Where will it go? Will you need supplies to make it? If you'll be camping in a tent or camper, double check that your tent, sleeping bags, etc. are in good repair. If you're traveling away from home, make a packing list. Is the weather looking to be especially chilly or hot? Plan your supplies accordingly.

Shop and prep for fun stuff. Honestly, get ready to have some fun! What special foods would you like to make or order? How about ordering or creating decorations for your celebrations? If you have kids, look into crafts and activities for them related to the feasts. Do you want to give gifts or maybe get a special Sukkot shirt for yourself? Do you need camping supplies or extra groceries? Make a list of what you need and get to the store or order those items to avoid the headache and hassle of squeezing it in at the last minute.

Take time to spiritually prepare. What would being emotionally and spiritually prepared for the feasts look like to you? Would it be studying the Scriptures to be as familiar as possible with these set apart times? Or taking some time to evaluate the past few months or year and setting goals for the season ahead? What about addressing emotional pain with the help of a counselor? Pray and ask YHWH what he is doing in your life at this time. I would also recommend taking some time to process these questions, and discussing them as a family or with someone supportive.

You still have plenty of time to plan to celebrate the Biblical holidays this fall! Even if you feel like you don't know what you're doing, I would encourage you to just start somewhere. Each year you celebrate one of YHWH's times you learn and grow! Don't miss out on these significant times to our Creator.

More about the upcoming Biblical holidays:
The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Trumpets
Autumn Anticipation - Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays
Bible Holidays Are For Bible Believers