“Boo’ing” is where little items or baskets are secretly left on a doorstep, office or wherever as a fun surprise for neighbors, family and friends. (Photo courtesy Etsy)
It’s true, holidays demand more and more these days. Halloween is no longer just cutting eye holes in an old bedsheet!
One of the latest trends for Halloween and fall season in the past few years is “Boo’ing,” where little items or baskets are secretly left on a doorstep, office or wherever as a fun surprise for your neighbors, family and friends.
You can either say, “It’s all a bunch of Hocus-Pocus!” or you can join in the lighthearted fun by starting the holiday cheer a little early.
To “Boo” someone, make a tag that says, “You’ve been Boo’d!” and attach to the gift to make it official.
If you just want to give someone a small surprise, you simply just leave it for them to find.
For a group, draw names, almost like a Secret Santa where everyone gets picked and pick a day or week for the goodies to be left.
If kicking it off in a neighborhood or office, “Boo” a few to get the game going with a note challenging them to “Boo” another neighbor or person in the group.
Those who have already been “Boo’d” sometimes put a ghost on their mailbox/ door/ area to show they’ve already been picked.
If you want to join in on the fun, but struggle to get your ghoulish juices flowing, there are so many Halloween and holiday options in the stores.
It can be as simple as you’d like it to be!
Boo’ing with books is another option. A board book for tiny ones, a Goosebumps for early readers and a good mystery book for a friend.
Add more with a festive blanket and snack, or a pair of fuzzy socks.
Do they like to cook up some spooky fun? Grab a festive funfetti cake mix, icing, sprinkles and cupcake liners.
Looking for more of a fall vibe? Pumpkin flavored mixes are also filling the shelves.
Get some fun-shaped pasta and jarred pumpkin pasta sauce. Gift the dry ingredients and spices with the recipe for a favorite fall dish like chili.
Maybe you’d like to gift a family on the go some items ready to snack on.
A quick stroll through the grocery store will help you quickly fill your cart from fall flavored cookies, cereals, trail mixes and granola — and surely some pumpkin spice items that sound too odd to be true.
There are also often Halloween branded and shaped fruit snacks, veggie sticks, and other classic snacks.
Farmers’ market vendors will be on-trend and sure to have seasonal delights to add!
Coffee lovers would love a fun mug, coffee and festive creamer. For the on the go coffee drinker, add some canned pumpkin lattes and a travel mug.
Planning on gathering around the campfire this fall? Look for ghost shaped marshmallows to pair with candy and graham crackers.
Don’t forget apple season! Easy grabs to buy or make are apple cider donuts or muffins, apple cider, or even a basket of fresh picked apples! Have extra time? Wrap up some caramel apples with a sweet note.
Boo’ing is a good alternative if the traditional Christmas or holiday season is too busy for you to do the baking you’d really like to do to share.
Aside from food, there are many little gifts to delight.
A glow in the dark theme is one option for a spooky fall night.
Glow sticks, stickers and face paint should all be easy to find. Toss in a glow in the dark football or kickball. (Plus the glow in the dark can be great for trick or treating as well!)
Craft sets are fun for the young and old. From a simple coloring craft and fresh markers, to a spooky crochet kit for the advanced crafters.
Try a small gem art kit that they can finish before the Santa comes down the chimney! Lego and building blocks also often come out with Halloween editions.
Even your teachers and other office loving friends could use a little “Boo.” Yes, there are even Halloween Post-it notes and paper clips out there.
Boring things like hand soap can even be fun in the fall as they smell so good!
Pair with a candle with some pretty matches or a new tea towel.
Pre-teens and mom friends? Find some fall -cented body wash, hand lotion, lip care, hand sanitizer — they are certainly making it all!
If boo’ing a crowd, think of a fun and easy item to batch.
A trail mix with fall candies and flavors, a batch of muffins with fancy butter.
For a friend or playgroup, whip up some orange, black or green homemade Play-doh mixed in with some spiders and gems for sensory play. Throw in Halloween-shaped cookie cutters with it.
“Boo” your friends this season, and make them scream with delight!
