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'Boo' your neighbors and loved ones!
By Aly Walansky — Written on Oct 26, 2020
With Halloween quite different this year, you can still celebrate the spooky season by trying something new. Enter: boo baskets.
What is a boo basket?
Boo baskets are a fun Halloween tradition to surprise your neighbors or friends with an extra treat!
Since all 2020 holidays, including Halloween, have been changed in some way to involve less direct contact and more meaningful communication from a distance, boo baskets work perfectly in that context.
A boo basket is a collection of treats you leave on the doorstep of a neighbor, kind of like a Secret Santa. Ideally, the neighbor will then "boo" another person, be it you or someone else.
The possibilities are truly endless. In fact, the boo basket doesn’t even have to be an actual basket.
“Baskets are filled with candy, local favorites, coloring books, and so on. Then, you anonymously 'boo' someone by leaving the basket at their door. If you get 'booed,' you're supposed to boo a friend or two to keep it going,” says Emily Lawson, Founder of Pink House Alchemy, who offer Boo Baskets as a fun option for Halloween.
There’s no doubt that Halloween is especially weird this year. As Lawson adds, “A lot of people are still unsure about trick or treating and are deciding what feels comfortable for them."
So, why not stay safe and celebrate this Halloween with a boo basket?
11 Best Boo Basket Ideas
Whether it be novelty or food items, you can put almost anything in a boo basket as long as it fits with the spooky season. Most people put candy and chocolate bars in their boo baskets, but you can also add in toys or even home-made treats, like Halloween-themed cookies or pumpkin-flavored food items.
Above all, make things a bit more interesting and fun, while maintaining a sense of community.
1. Boozy Basket
Who doesn’t need a drink this Halloween? A boozy basket can include items like barware, a bottle of wine, their favorite liquor, a canned cocktail, or anything else that will give them a spooky buzz.
An insulated growler has an easy pour cap and will be fun to carry around, while mulled wine and whiskey, or even morning coffee, add a festive touch to their home bar. This boo basket is something they will want to toast to — in true Halloween style.
What to include in your boozy boo basket:
Noah x Mizu Skull Crest Stainless Steel Growler
SHTOX Rotation Whiskey Bar Glass
VonShef Parisian Cocktail Shaker Barware Set
The Vodka Sampler Gift Basket by BroBasket
W&P Design Peak Sphere Ice Tray 2.0
2. Witchy Basket
Is it really Halloween without witches? You may as well celebrate them with a witch-themed basket.
A witch-centric basket can have everything from a witchs's hat to fun books of spells and witch-type accessories. Have fun with this one and shape it for the person you're gifting. A cool idea may even be to use the actual witch's hat as the basket itself to tie it all together.
What to include in your witchy boo basket:
Rad + Refined 'Bad Witch' Round Sunglasses
Natsuki Women's Knitted-Wool Witch Hat
The Complete Grimoire: Magickal Practices and Spells for Awakening Your Inner Witch
Embossed Leather Blue Stone 120 Page Unlined Journal with Clasp
Juvale Black Obsidian Crystal Ball
3. Adult-Themed Basket
This boo basket is great for your actual "boo," whether it's your partner or your friend with benefits. These adult-themed basket can go in a few directions — from a sexy take on the old trick or treat game, taking a bubble bath together, or getting downright steamy.
What to include in your adult boo basket:
Swearing Coloring Book for Adults
Date Night Box 'Tango Together'
4. Spider-Themed Basket
Spiders may be spooky and creepy, but they also make for fun and silly ideas, like including temporary face tattoo stickers or googly eyes in your boo basket. Take it in a creepy or fun direction — anything that works for your intended spider lover.
What to include in your spider-themed boo basket:
Creativity Street Peel and Stick Wiggle Eyes
DKAF Temporary Tattoo Spider Webs
Rubies Web Vixen Face Mask Tattoo
5. Artisan Snacks Basket
Sometimes, treats can be special and still be kind of healthy. It’s a perfect compromise. For the healthy eater in your life, show you pay attention with healthy fruit snacks, whole grains, dark chocolate, and other treats that won't make them feel guilty.
What to include in your snack boo basket:
Chocolate Hazelnut Pirouline Rolled Wafers
Traina Sun Dried Ruby Royal Apricots
Seapoint Farms Sea Salt Dry Roasted Edamame
Whisps Parmesan & Cheddar Cheese Crisps
6. Chocolate & Sweets Basket
Whether you are young or old, sweets and treats are a big part of Halloween. So, why not include that in your boo basket? This takes the snack option in the other direction and stays very traditional, with candies that are always part of the trick or treating candy game.
What to include in your sweet treat boo basket:
Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer
Hershey's Glow in the Dark Wrapper Mix
Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme Fangs
Nestle SweeTARTS Skulls and Bones
Hershey's Kisses Vampire Milk Chocolate
7. Friday the 13th Basket
Is there any spookier day than Friday the 13th? That makes it a great way to add a scary touch this year. Whether it's the movies (there are a lot of them) or just movie memorbilia, there's so much out there for the Friday the 13th fan.
What to include in your 'Friday the 13th' boo basket:
Funny Friday the 13th Pullover Hoodie
Friday the 13th 8-Movie Collection
8. Autumn Basket
Maybe it’s hard this year to tell one season from the next, but it's autumn now, so celebrate it with a basket of fall-themed products. Pay homage to all the senses with the flavors, colors, and scents of fall. It will smell delicious and really help to set the mood.
What to include in your autumn boo basket:
Stash Tea 6-Flavor Assortment Tea
P&J Trading Autumn Fragrance Oils
9. Pet Toys Basket
If your neighbor or friend loves their dog more than anything, leave a boo basket of dog toys and treats. Or, go one step further and leave the basket addressed to the pet, who will love playing with all their new stuff. Plus, what a great moment it will be to enjoy.
What to include in your pet's boo basket:
Personalized Halloween Dog Treats
The Pioneer Woman BBQ Style Cuts Meaty Dog Treats
Greenies Original Petite Natural Dental Dog Treats
PUPTECK Halloween Squeaky Chew Toys
10. Spa Basket
Give your loved one or neighbor an excuse to sit back and relax with a spa-themed gift basket. Most of us can't visit the spa right now, but you can provide the feeling of a great spa treatment, whether it's a scented bath, or the surrounding smells and flavors.
What to include in your spa boo basket:
Bubbly Belle Halloween Bath Bombs
LA BELLEFÉE Halloween Pumpkin Scented Candle
VOESH Pedi In A Box 4-Step Pedicure System
NY Threads Womens Fleece Bathrobe
11. Pumpkin Basket
Pumpkins are a perfect symbol of the Halloween season, so play on that tradition by filling a boo basket with pumpkin-themed treats. There are so many ways to take the pumpkin trend, so the possibilities are truly endless.
What to include in your pumpkin-themed boo basket:
Threshold Corn Husk Rope Pumpkin
Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte Mini Jar Candle
Too Faced Pumpkin Spice Warm & Spicy Eyeshadow Palette
Archipelago Botanicals Pumpkin Macchiato Home Diffuser
Chaser Jack-o-Lantern Cozy Joggers
Marigold Pumpkin Spice Kettle Corn
More for You:
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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