The Best 2025 Autumn Starter Pack for Working Moms
Is anyone else a huge fan of the autumn starter pack trend? It feels like a fun invitation to welcome in the next season in a more intentional, memorable way.
The only trouble? This trend is often geared toward young, childless women with unlimited budgets or sponsorships. Which is awesome for them—but not always realistic for us working moms balancing family life, work, and a budget.
That’s why I created a Cozy 2025 Autumn Starter Pack for Working Moms—because we deserve seasonal inspiration, too. And not just pretty Pinterest boards, but ideas that actually fit our busy lives, our families, and our budgets.
These are my personal must-haves for this fall, but you can swap in your own favorites or free finds to make it your own.
1. Something to Read
Not an autumn goes by without me craving a good Nancy Drew mystery. They’re quick, easy reads you can find at almost any thrift store for under $2, and they’re family-friendly—so you can read them alone or make them a bedtime family read-aloud.
As a working mom, I find more little pockets of reading time than I expect—breaks at work under a shady tree, five minutes before bed, or the occasional blissful hour when the story is too good to put down.
Pro tip: Not all Nancy Drew books are created equal (looking at you, Mystery at the Ski Jump), but the older ones are gold.
2. A Dash of Caffeine
Between trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patch field trips, and school events, fall can be busy.
My personal favorite seasonal pick-me-up is a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte from Starbucks—but since that’s not in my budget every day, I make my own at home with Tazo Pumpkin Spice Chai concentrate (found at Target or online). It’s just as cozy and about a quarter of the price when you break the cost down by cup.
3. A Favorite Sweater
Sweater season is my happy place. Sure, I wear sweaters indoors even during heat waves—but in autumn, it finally feels right.
One of my favorites is a thrift-store find that cost less than $10. It took me a few years of patient searching, but when you find the sweater, you know. Whether you wear it to work, a fall festival, or your kid’s Halloween parade, there’s something empowering about having a seasonal favorite in rotation.
4. A TV Show or Movie
Since my daughter is just over one, we’re still limiting her screen time. That means my fall pick is something just for me—Hallmark’s “Good Witch.” The TV show, not the movies.
It’s got all the small-town, cozy autumn vibes and a main character (Cassie) who is basically the personification of fall—warm, welcoming, and full of charm. Best part? I stream it for free through my library’s digital collection, which also has plenty of other fall-themed shows and movies.
5. Something Tasty
My top treat this season? Butterbeer Pumpkin Spice Scones. If I could eat them every day, I would. But this year, I’m also eyeing the pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls from Ambitious Kitchen.
Will I actually make them from scratch? Probably not. Let’s be real—it might just be Pillsbury cutouts again this year. But hey, festive is festive.
Final Thoughts
This 2025 Autumn Starter Pack for Working Moms isn’t about perfection—it’s about embracing the season in ways that fit your life right now. Whether that means a cozy book under a blanket, a seasonal drink in your travel mug, or a favorite thrifted sweater, it’s the little rituals that make fall feel special.
You deserve to enjoy them, mama—budget and busy schedule included. 🍂
