12 Boo Basket Ideas, a Fun Halloween Tradition (2024)

Start a fun new Halloween tradition this fall by surprising friends and neighbors with a Boo Basket. Learn what to put into a Boo Basket and how to distribute them.

Let’s talk Halloween: how to make a Boo Basket and how to deliver one to friends and neighbors

For many people, Halloween is all about the taking, and trying to collect as much candy as you possibly can from your neighbors while trick or treating.

But sometimes it’s fun to turn things around. There’s no reason why Halloween can’t be about the giving too. Try making a Halloween Boo Basket for a neighbor to spread the love this October!

What is a Halloween Boo Basket?

Let me take a moment to introduce you to the “Boo Basket.”

A Boo Basket (or Boo Bucket!) is a container stuffed full of fun Halloween-themed treats. Just ring your neighbor’s doorbell any time during October, leave the basket on their front step, and run to hide in the bushes so you can watch their reaction when they realize they’ve been ‘Booed’! We’re so used to Halloween tricks that it’s a really nice change to give someone a treat.

Your neighbor can then continue the tradition and spread their own bit of Halloween cheer, until eventually the whole neighborhood will have been Booed!

What to put in a Boo Basket

The contents of your Boo Basket can be tailored to whoever you’re giving it to. Kids might like Halloween-themed craft activities and candy, whereas older friends might prefer foods with a more subtle Halloween theme, and cozy, autumnal items. It’s up to you whether you go low-key, or totally OTT; your neighbor will appreciate the kind gesture either way! There are heaps of ideas below.

And don’t forget these two really important extras:

1. An ‘I’ve been Booed’ sign for your neighbor to display in their front window, so they don’t get Booed a second time by another neighbor – we want everyone to have a turn!
2. Instructions that explain what it means to be Booed, and what they need to do next.

Fun Halloween Boo Basket Ideas

If you’re inspired to give it a try, here are 12 fun Halloween Boo Basket ideas to help you decide what to include.

Family Craft Night Themed Basket

I made this basket a few years ago, when I was sharing Halloween craft ideas on a local TV news program. For my Basket, I used the following:

• basket
• basket filler
• snack mix
• candy corn
• mason jar
• three small craft kits from JoAnn Fabrics
• Boo Basket Printable Card (click to download)

I mixed some snack mix in a mason jar with some candy corn – to give it a Halloween feel. Then I assembled everything in a little basket. The three craft kits were on sale at the craft store, so this was a really inexpensive neighbor gift.

I love that this involves a craft, instead of just candy. After all, the neighbor kids are going to get enough of that on the 31st!

Here are 11 more Halloween gift basket ideas I think you’ll enjoy:

1. Family Boo Basket from The Littles And Me

This Boo Basket is simple but effective – it just goes to show that you only need to include a few well-chosen items to create a beautiful Boo Basket. I love the ‘I’ve been Booed’ sign in this one, and there’s a printable version for you to use yourself. When other people start joining in, you’ll be able to see the Halloween cheer spreading across the neighborhood one house at a time!

2. Halloween Boo Mix from Rebecca Propes

This DIY Halloween ‘Boo Mix’ would be the perfect addition to your Boo Basket. Made with candy corn, chocolate chips and marshmallows, it’s super easy to put together. You can feel good about including something homemade, even if you’re not super crafty! Don’t forget the Halloween-themed label to make it extra fun (ghost poop, anyone?).

3. Ghostly Boo Basket from Eighteen25

If you’d like to add a touch of drama to your Boo Basket, this ghostly version is a really easy option. Just draw a ghost face onto a white balloon, tie it to the handle of your basket, and when your neighbor opens their door, they’ll be met by a ghost! Such a fun way to make your Boo Basket extra memorable.

4. Food and drink Boo Basket from Ribbons & Glue

Not everyone’s into the same things – but everyone’s into eating and drinking. So if you’re not sure what sort of things your neighbors might like, food and drink is always a safe bet. These small Boo Baskets are filled with cans of soda and bags of candy, with the adorable caption ‘Eat, Drink and be Scary’.

5. Pumpkin Boo Bags from Instrupix

If you just want to share a small gift with your neighbors, but still want it to look fun and Halloween-themed, these pumpkin Boo Bags are perfect. With just enough room inside for a few pieces of candy or a couple of homemade treats, they’re just enough to spread a bit of joy – and the adorable pumpkin wrapping will definitely make your friends smile!

6. Self Care Boo Basket from Fun Squared

This Boo Basket would be perfect for any friend who you know needs a pick-me-up at this time of year. Styled as a ‘witch’s survival kit’, it contains all sorts of self care items to lift someone up – nail polish, a face mask, some cosy socks, and a little something to eat and drink.

7. Kids’ Boo Baskets from Project Whim

Don’t feel that you can only Boo your neighbors – there’s no reason you can’t make Boo Baskets for your own kids too! Just knock on their bedroom door and leave the basket in the hallway, to put a huge smile on their face. These kids’ Boo Baskets are filled with Halloween-themed clothes, books and crafts, so you’ll have plenty of fun activities to enjoy together throughout the month.

8. Teacher Boo Baskets from The Eager Teacher

Similarly, your kids’ teachers deserve to get in on the fun too! Why not fill a little basket with useful goodies to thank them for all their hard work. Food and drink, hand sanitizer, and gift cards are all simple gifts that all teachers will be thankful for!

9. Adult ‘Booze Basket’ from Making Memories With My Minis

If you’re making a Boo Basket for a wine lover, don’t feel you need to keep your basket kid-friendly. A bottle of wine or some beers in a bottle bag makes a perfect ‘Booze Basket’! Why should the kids have all the fun?

10. Movie night Boo Basket from Sweet Lil You

Everyone loves a good theme, so if you want to put a fun twist on your Boo Basket, try a movie night basket! Include your favourite Halloween movie on DVD, plus everything else your neighbor will need to complete their spooky movie night – drinks and snacks, popcorn, and even some cozy socks!

11. Halloween snack jar from The Country Chic Cottage

If you’re not up to creating an elaborate Boo Basket, try a low-key version instead. Transform a simple jar of your favorite Halloween-themed snack into a Jack-o’-lantern with this simple snack jar craft. Just add a spooky face and a green stem to create a cute pumpkin!

Don’t forget to PIN this creative Halloween tradition for later: