How to Make a Boo Basket for Halloween

Fill it with ghostly gags, gifts, and goodies!

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Treat bags aren't the only baskets worthy of a spooky season spotlight! There are 31 days leading up to the long-awaited evening of trick-or-treating, dressing up in DIY costumes, and attending hauntingly fun Halloween bashes. But how do you channel all that eerie energy during the rest of the month? That's where boo baskets come in!

If you haven't been "Boo'd" yourself, you may not be familiar with the Halloween tradition of giving your kids, neighbors, or friends custom baskets filled with Halloween goodies at the start of the month. But what exactly is in the basket? And what comes after you receive a surprise boo basket of your own? Instead of letting curiosity kill the (black) cat, read on to find out everything you need to know about how to make a boo basket, including what it is, what kind of basket to use, and what to fill your boo basket with!

The premise of the boo basket relies on an element of surprise. Traditionally, the custom involves leaving a boo basket filled with Halloween treats, crafts, knick-knacks, and a cute Halloween note on your friend's, family's, or neighbor's front porch. Once the recipient has been “Boo'd,” they continue the tradition by putting together another boo basket to share with a loved one of their choice.

Now, the boo basket goes beyond just an anonymous neighborhood surprise—but it's just as fun. If you're a parent, you might want to surprise the kiddos with a personalized (and budget-friendly) boo basket filled with kid-friendly toys, their favorite Halloween candy, and Halloween crafts. You can even take an elevated approach to the boo basket by filling it with a cozy Halloween blanket, Halloween plushies, and even a hand-written Halloween card for your ghoul-friends or partner!

As for what kind of basket you should use, the possibilities are endless! The main focus is on the contents inside, so you could always go for a simpler plastic basket and decorate it with black and orange ribbons or Halloween decorations. Or, you could use a reusable basket that could be used for storage throughout the year. For those who want to go all out, there are, of course, options for explicitly Halloween-themed baskets, like the one shaped like a jack-o'-lantern below. But most importantly, you want to make sure your basket is big enough to hold all those gruesome goodies!

Now for the fun part of the boo basket: its contents! Think of a boo basket as an Easter basket for fall. In that case, you'll want to fill a boo basket with cozy, cute, and clever items related to Halloween.

If your kids or the friend you're shopping for is on the creative side, consider adding a couple of small crafts to their boo basket! That could look like Halloween coloring books, a ceramic pumpkin painting kit, or a Halloween bracelet making kit.

There are so many fun toys you can add to a boo basket to ensure the kids have a blast all October! Think Halloween temporary tattoos, a pumpkin bath bomb, spooky stickers, and stretchy toys shaped like ghosts, bats, and cats.

Once you've filled your basket with tricks, it's time for the treats. You can't go wrong with a few different types of Halloween candy, or even hot cocoa mix for the winter season ahead. But if you want to go above and beyond, you could also make homemade Halloween candy for a sweet and special touch!

Spooky season is the start of a chill-filled few months, so you'll want to include a fair share of cozy items in your boo basket. That could mean something as simple as ghost fuzzy socks, a pumpkin-scented candle, Halloween pajamas, or even a soft Halloween blanket! Another item that appeals to both kids and adults alike are Halloween plushies, like Jellycats and Squishmallows shaped like black cats and pumpkins.

Autumn means all things warm drinks! Whether you're sipping on a pumpkin spice latte, apple cider, or hot cocoa, you'll need a menacing mug to hold it in. Go along with the boo basket theme with a simple mug that says "Boo!" or a more whimsical option, like a mug shaped like a ghost or pumpkin. Not only will the mug's fun Halloween colors and theme add festive flair to the boo basket, but it'll be so useful year after year!

Last but not least is stationary! It's important to place a Halloween-themed card in the basket letting its recipient know they've been “Boo'd.” Sign it off with a clever Halloween saying, like "Let's boo this" or "Eat, drink and be scary!" Then, leave the remaining Halloween stationary in the basket for your neighbors or friends to use for their own boo basket creation.

Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.

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