As Halloween approaches, one of my favorite ways to celebrate the Halloween season is by making Boo Baskets! These Halloween-themed gift baskets are a fun, creative way to surprise your kids, neighbors, or friends.
Whether you’re new to the idea or looking for new inspiration, we’re here to help you create the perfect Boo Basket for anyone in your life.
What is a Boo Basket?
A Boo Basket is a Halloween-themed gift basket filled with candy, small toys, and fun surprises. It’s a popular tradition where people “boo” their neighbors, friends, or family members by secretly dropping off a basket of goodies.
If you want to create a Boo Basket that will truly stand out, keep reading for our list of must-have items!
Must-Have Items for a Perfect Boo Basket
1. Halloween-Themed Baskets or Containers
First, start with a container. You can go as simple or elaborate as you’d like, but choosing something that matches the season is fun. Look for:
- Mini pumpkin buckets
- Cauldron-shaped containers
- Halloween-themed gift bags
These reusable containers can later be used for trick-or-treating or other fun Halloween activities. I often find them at Dollar Tree.
2. Halloween Candy &/or Snacks
No Boo Basket is complete without some fun food! Load up on classic Halloween favorites like:
- Candy corn
- Gummy spiders, worms, or eyeballs
- Pumpkin-shaped lollipops
- Ghost-shaped crackers
- Popcorn balls
3. Fun Halloween Toys
Add some playful Halloween-themed toys to keep the fun going after the candy is gone! Great options include:
- Glow-in-the-dark vampire fangs
- Mini containers of Halloween slime
- Spider rings, bouncy eyeballs, or stretch skeletons
- Halloween stickers, stamps, or temporary tattoos
These inexpensive items are a hit with kids and will add an extra element of fun to your Boo Basket.
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Accessories
Add an element of nighttime fun with glow-in-the-dark goodies, which are also useful for trick-or-treating safety! Some popular choices are:
- Glow sticks or bracelets
- Light-up wands
- Mini flashlights in Halloween colors
5. Halloween-Themed Accessories
Throw in some Halloween-themed socks or accessories. They’re fun and functional! Consider:
- Fuzzy socks with pumpkins, ghosts, or bats
- Halloween hair scrunchies
6. Printable “You’ve Been Boo’d” Notes
If you’re delivering Boo Baskets to your neighbors, include a fun note that explains the Boo Basket tradition. Use one of our free printables (below) or create your own. The note encourages the recipient to continue the fun by making and delivering a Boo Basket of their own!
{Click Images to Download PDFs}
How-To Guide to Boo Baskets
Creating Boo Baskets isn’t just about the goodies inside—it’s about spreading joy, kindness, and generosity to friends, family, and neighbors.
“Booing” someone is super simple! Here’s how:
- Print out a “We’ve Been Booed” page (make sure to print two—one for each Boo bag you create). If your family has already been Booed, hang the “We’ve Been Booed” sign in your front window or on your door so others know your house has already been visited.
- Fill your Boo bags with festive Halloween or fall-themed treats and goodies.
- Secretly deliver the bags to your friends or neighbors! You can leave the bag on their doorstep for a surprise later or knock/ring the doorbell and dash away—just make sure they don’t see you, as that’s part of the fun!
Once your recipient has their bag, they can hang up their “We’ve Been Booed” sign and, within two days, give out more treat baskets to keep the fun going.