Easy Boo Basket Ideas For Kids, Friends, And Adults (2025)

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If you’ve been on Pinterest lately, you’ve probably seen the boo basket trend popping up everywhere!

A boo basket is basically a Halloween gift basket filled with festive treats, cozy goodies, or small gifts that you surprise your kids, partner, friends, or even neighbors with.

They’re fun because they add a little magic to spooky season, and they’re super easy to customize for any age or budget.

Below, I’m sharing creative boo basket ideas to help you put together one that’s just right.

Two boo baskets for kids sit on a stone surface, filled with gifts like a white plush bunny, coloring books, stickers, chocolate, and a "Learn to Draw" book. The baskets have pom-pom decorations.

Table of Contents

What is a Boo Basket?

A boo basket is a Halloween-themed gift basket filled with treats, small toys, or cozy items that you give to someone as a surprise. You might also hear them called a Halloween gift basket or even a spooky basket.

Usually, people hand them out in October leading up to Halloween. Sometimes it’s part of a fun “you’ve been booed” neighborhood tradition, where you secretly leave a basket on someone’s doorstep with a note encouraging them to pass the surprise along.

Other times, it’s just a sweet way to celebrate with your kids, partner, or friends!

Two smiling children stand close together holding boo baskets filled with books, toys, and art supplies. They are in front of a stone wall. The girl wears a lavender skirt, and the boy wears shorts and a long-sleeve shirt.

Boo Basket Ideas for Kids 🎃

Kids are usually the easiest (and most excited) to surprise with a boo basket! Whether you go for sweets, toys, or a mix of both, there are plenty of options to make their basket special.

Candy classics: Reese’s pumpkins, lollipops, gummy worms, or a bag of candy corn.
Non-candy fillers: glow sticks, Halloween stickers, mini squishmallows, spooky books, or a pair of fun socks.
DIY items: slime kits, craft supplies, or even a small activity book they can color and decorate.

You don’t have to spend a lot—stores like Target’s Dollar Spot or the dollar store have tons of affordable Halloween goodies that kids love!

A cozy scene with a wicker basket holding a small pumpkin, two glasses of red wine, and a bottle. A knitted throw, chocolate, and popcorn are nearby, set on a wooden table in a warmly lit living room.

Boo Basket Ideas for Boyfriend or Girlfriend 💕

A boo basket doesn’t have to be just for kids—it can also be a sweet surprise for your partner! Think of it as a cozy, thoughtful care package with a Halloween twist.

Cozy items: scented candles, fuzzy socks, a cute mug, or even a soft throw blanket.
Food + drink: pack their favorite snacks, add a couple of mini alcohol bottles, or toss in coffee pods for the caffeine lover.
“Date night” fillers: a movie gift card, popcorn, or a fun couples game to play together.
Cute twist: finish it off with a handwritten note—something cheesy like “I’m so boo-tifully into you” is always a winner!

A cozy autumn scene featuring a wicker basket with gray socks, a wine bottle, lotion, and a dark scarf. Surrounding the basket are knit blankets, small pumpkins, a glowing jack-o’-lantern candle, and warm string lights in the background.

Boo Basket Ideas for Best Friend 👯‍♀️

Your bestie deserves a little spooky-season love too. A boo basket is the perfect mix of thoughtful and fun, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to feel special.

Self-care fillers: sheet masks, bath bombs, or a cute lip balm.
Drinks: slip in a Halloween tumbler or a Starbucks gift card for a pumpkin spice fix.
Personal touches: add something that shows you know them well—like an inside-joke trinket or a framed photo of the two of you.

A wicker gift basket with snacks, two mugs, candy, popcorn, and small pumpkins sits on a wooden desk near a laptop, with blurred shelves and a bright window in the background.

Boo Basket Ideas for Co-Workers 💼

Want to spread a little Halloween cheer at the office? A boo basket for a coworker should be simple, fun, and something they can actually use during the workday.

Simple + office-friendly: pens, sticky notes, or a coffee gift card.
Seasonal desk décor: a mini pumpkin, small plant, or fall-scented candle.
Snacky treats: granola bars, trail mix, or bite-sized chocolates they can stash in a drawer.

A woven basket on wooden boards contains beer bottles, snacks, a jar, gray knitted mittens, and a plaid scarf, with a small pumpkin beside it, evoking a cozy autumn atmosphere.

Boo Basket Ideas for Him / Men 🧢

If you’re putting together a boo basket for the guy in your life, think practical with a hint of fun. You can still keep it festive without going overboard on the Halloween frills.

Sports gear or snacks: toss in something with his favorite team logo or game-day treats.
Tech gadgets: a phone stand, earbuds case, or charging cable he’ll actually use.
Savory picks: jerky, chips, or a sampler of spicy snacks.
Creative basket swap: instead of a traditional basket, use a small cooler, tool caddy, or even a storage bin to make it feel more masculine.

A blue boo basket for kids with pom-poms holds a green toy skeleton, a large Rubik’s Cube, snacks, and books including "Learn to Draw" and a monster-themed book, set against a stone background.

Tips & Tricks for Making the Perfect Boo Basket 📝

A boo basket doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive—to be memorable. Here are a few simple tips to pull it all together:

Mix candy and non-candy: Balance sweets with small toys, cozy items, or practical goodies.
Think about the container: A basket works fine, but you can also use a bucket, tote bag, storage bin, or even a reusable trick-or-treat pail.
Set a budget: These can be $10 or $50—either way, a little thought goes a long way.
Add a personal touch: A handwritten note or seasonal tag makes it feel special.
Shop smart: Dollar stores, Target Dollar Spot, and Amazon all have affordable fillers that still feel festive.

These little tweaks make it easy to put together a boo basket that feels thoughtful without taking up a ton of time or money.

A smiling boy stands in front of a stone wall, holding a blue boo basket filled with books, a green toy dinosaur, and a small can.

FAQs About Boo Baskets

When do you give them?

Most people hand out boo baskets in October, anytime leading up to Halloween. Some make it part of a “you’ve been booed” neighborhood tradition, while others just surprise their kids or friends for fun.

How much should you spend?

There’s no set amount. You can put together a thoughtful basket for as little as $10, or go bigger with $50+ if you want to include larger gifts.

Do you have to use candy?

Not at all. While sweets are classic, you can fill a boo basket with toys, cozy items, or even practical gifts like mugs, socks, or books.

Start Your Boo Basket Tradition 🎃

A boo basket is a simple way to make Halloween feel extra special. Whether you’re putting one together for your kids, partner, best friend, or even a coworker, the fun is in the surprise and the personal touches you add. You don’t need to spend a lot or stress over what to include—just mix a few treats, small gifts, and something thoughtful, and you’ve got a basket that will brighten someone’s spooky season.

Ready to make your own? Scroll down and pin the image below so you’ll have these boo basket ideas saved for later.