What In The Fresh Halloween Hell Is A Boo Basket? (2024)

If you’ve been on the parenting side of TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably heard reference to “boo baskets.” In which case you may be wondering, uh, what are they? Is this another one of those holiday things you’ll start and immediately regret? (Looking at you, Elf on the Shelf.) These are valid questions — and I fell down the rabbit hole to find the answers so you wouldn’t have to.

So, what is a boo basket? The idea is pretty straightforward: a fall or Halloween-themed Easter basket. Yes, really. And yes, for many parents, this concept will seem excessive. Wasn’t your kid’s birthday just last week? Haven’t we reached that special time of year where every “I want” is met with “Ask Santa”?

As it turns out, these things are not mutually exclusive. Both can be true. For many kiddos, Christmas feels so far away, and their birthdays are even farther away. Plus, as any parent now knows, Halloween is no longer entirely about candy and costumes. There are themed books, stuffies, cups, and even fall or Halloween-themed outfits. Getting those at Christmas or for a June birthday would render them practically useless.

Enter: boo baskets. When do you give them, though, and what, exactly, do you put in boo baskets? The decision is open to personal preference, which makes it all the more fun. Boo baskets aren’t mandatory — they’re not even the “norm.” But if you’re thinking of giving them a try, here’s what you need to know.

When do you give boo baskets?

The timing for boo baskets is entirely subjective. It’s not exactly logical to gift a bunch of Halloween treats on the day of Halloween. Beyond that, anything goes. Some moms have a tradition of gifting boo baskets the week before Halloween or during the first of October. That way, your little goblin has plenty of time to enjoy their spooky spoils. Other moms hand over their boo basket at random. It’s a great way to perk up a sick or sad kid or turn around a bad day.

Unlike Elf on the Shelf, where rules run the show, the land of boo baskets is lawless. You do you, moms. If you’re giving boo baskets, give them at a time that makes the most sense for your family.

What do you put in a boo basket?

The sky is the limit! The general idea is to go with special fall or Halloween gifts you can’t find all year. However, not everything needs to be witchy. An overarching fall-color scheme can also help pull a boo basket together. Need more specific inspo? Keep reading.

For Little Kids

Let’s be real: Little kids love and want ~everything~. One lap around Target, and they’ll give you hundreds of ideas. If you’re adding-to-cart from home, try:

  • Halloween cups
  • Halloween books
  • Kid-friendly, slightly spooky movie
  • A fall or Halloween-themed shirt or PJs
  • Limited edition Halloween-themed stuffies, like Slumberkins or Squishmallows
  • Fidgets
  • Grow your own mummy
  • Fall-flavored snacks
  • Fuzzy slippers
  • Glow-in-the-dark anything
  • Sticky spider webs

For Big Kids And Teens

Older kids and teens can often feel hard to buy for. One minute, they love something; the next, they’re “too old” for it. Your tween or teen may not want a boo basket at all… or they might sulk if you devote boo baskets to just the littles in your life. There are always ways to make them happy, though. Especially when you load up a boo basket with these.

  • Fuzzy warm boots, booties, or slippers
  • Cabin or Halloween-themed socks
  • or fall-scented candles
  • A scary movie
  • A creepy mask
  • Halloween makeup
  • Nail polish
  • Starbucks gift card for a PSL
  • Fall snacks
  • Chapsticks in fall flavors
  • Scarf
  • “Hot hands”
  • Water bottle stickers

Your Partner

Some couples don’t do gifts, some prefer to downright spoil each other, and many are somewhere in the middle. If you want to put together a grown-up boo basket, try these:

  • DIY PSL kit (coffee, pumpkin spice creamer, whipped cream, and a new mug)
  • That new pair of warm clogs or boots they’ve been coveting
  • Friday night lights tickets
  • Movie theater tickets
  • A fall or Halloween movie you both love
  • A cozy new blanket
  • Merch for your favorite football team
  • A spooky new book
  • A new, fall-colored tumbler
  • Starbucks or Dunkin gift card
  • Crystals if your partner considers this “kitchen witch” season

You get the gist. And, remember, if you don’t want to fuss over a boo basket, don’t. Not everyone has the time, energy, or budget to add yet another seasonal gimmick to their agenda. If you do, that’s cool, too. We’re all grownups here —we do what we want.

What In The Fresh Halloween Hell Is A Boo Basket? (2024)

FAQs

What In The Fresh Halloween Hell Is A Boo Basket? ›

So, what is a boo basket? The idea is pretty straightforward: a fall or Halloween-themed Easter basket. Yes, really. And yes, for many parents, this concept will seem excessive.

What are the rules for the boo basket? ›

You can leave it anonymously or add your name! You can leave it anytime this month — not just on Halloween. Really, there are no rules. A Boo Basket is simply just an act of kindness meant to bring a smile to someone's face.

What is a fall boo basket? ›

What's a Boo Basket? Think of it like an Easter basket with a Halloween or fall theme—a collection of goodies to celebrate the delights of fall and our favorite time of year when kids are adorned in the most outrageously adorable costumes.

What's in a boo basket idea for adults? ›

But just in case you haven't, a boo basket is, well, a basket full of seasonal goodies (though they can also house items like beauty products and books that aren't necessarily seasonal). This can include anything from blankets and candles to candy, cozy socks, plushies, and way more.

Who started the Boo basket? ›

TikTok creator @emmasemingson's video seems to be at the heart of the trend (though we can't say for sure whether or not she's the Boo Basket Originator, she definitely knows her stuff). See? Apparently, friends, you are entitled to a basket chock full of fall and Halloween goodies and we didn't even know it.

What does a burr basket contain? ›

Some of the most popular items tend to be holiday-themed candles, chocolates and coffee mugs. Plenty of gift-givers go the extra mile, placing throw blankets, plush slippers, gift cards and even Stanley tumblers inside their Burr Baskets.

What is in a boo basket for wife? ›

What to put in a boo basket?
  • Basket. You'll need a large enough basket (or container) to hold all of your goodies. ...
  • Cozy item. It's not fall if it's not cozy! ...
  • Mug. Fall is all about the hot drinks and you can't have hot drinks without a mug. ...
  • Drinks. A drink mix for the mug. ...
  • Treats. ...
  • Plushie.
Oct 20, 2023

Is the Boo basket a Happy Meal? ›

Boo Buckets were introduced to hungry Happy Meal customers in 1986. There were three designs: McPunk'n, McBoo, and McGoblin, styled after traditional jack-o'-lanterns and available only in the color orange.

When did Boo baskets come out? ›

First introduced in 1986, the trick-or-treat pails, known as "Boo Buckets," were a Happy Meal staple of the spooky season for several years before they "vanished for a while." Following a prolonged absence however, three iconic, throwback buckets returned for 2022 on Oct.

What is the Boo tradition? ›

The idea behind “booing” is that one person leaves a basket or bag of treats on someone's doorstep with a note and a “boo” sign. The recipient then refills the basket with treats. They then include a similar or the same sign and secretly deliver it to another neighbor who hasn't been “booed” yet.

What's in a boo basket at McDonald's? ›

How can I get a Boo Bucket? You can get your hands on a Boo Bucket by ordering a Happy Meal at your local McDonald's. The Happy Meal options include; a hamburger or chicken nuggets with a side of fries or apple slices, and a drink of your choice.

How do you make a fall basket? ›

What do you put in a fall gift basket?
  1. Pumpkin spice treats.
  2. Cozy blankets.
  3. Scented candles.
  4. Hot cocoa mixes.
  5. Apple cider.
  6. Fall-scented bath products.
  7. Seasonal fruits.
  8. Harvest-themed decorations.
Jun 2, 2023

Why are boo baskets a thing? ›

Boo baskets are kind of like an Easter basket, but boo-themed. Or, rather, fall and Halloween themed. Most people have been hinting at their partners to make them one and there are some pretty cute ones out there!

What is a boo basket from McDonald's? ›

You can get your hands on a Boo Bucket by ordering a Happy Meal at your local McDonald's. The Happy Meal options include; a hamburger or chicken nuggets with a side of fries or apple slices, and a drink of your choice.

What does Boo someone mean on Halloween? ›

Booing is a Halloween tradition of surprising neighbors with treats during the month leading up to the holiday. Families sneak special treats onto neighbors' or friends' porches after dark with a note attached saying "You've Been Booed".

What is a boo basket Mcdonalds? ›

You can get a Boo Bucket by placing a Happy Meal order either in the restaurant or through the app. There are three different options to choose from for entrees including Chicken McNuggets, a hamburger or cheeseburger with a side of fries or apple slices and a drink.

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