Boo Basket Ideas: What to Put in a Boo Basket (Without Spending a Scary Amount)

You open your door in October and there it is: a little stash of candy and trinkets with a note that says, “You’ve been BOO’ed."

The earliest boo baskets were simple and sweet. People would throw in a couple of bracelets or plastic spiders, tape a poem to the front, and anonymously sneak it onto a neighbor’s step. The magic wasn’t the price tag; it was the surprise.

Then social media took notice. TikTok and Reels turned boo basket ideas into mini productions with curated color schemes and Yeti cups and Ghirardelli chocolate. And now people are gifting them (not so anonymously) to their kids or significant others. Whether you’re dropping a tiny surprise around the block or attempting to go viral, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a Boo Basket?

Think of it as Secret Santa with cobweb confetti. You leave a small bundle on someone’s doorstep with instructions to “pass it on" so the fun ricochets around the block. It’s neighborly and slightly mischievous in the best way.

Wait, Does Halloween Suddenly Require Presents?

Isn’t Halloween the one holiday that parents are off the hook for giving their kids anything besides a costume and maybe a flashlight?

Short answer: Well, yes, but actually no if your kids lobby for their own boo baskets (they will).

Long answer: do whatever fits your family, your budget, and your bandwidth. Halloween isn’t a gift-giving holiday unless you want it to be. The spirit is light and playful: a handful of candy, a tiny toy or two, something that glows in the dark and provides a grin, maybe a cozy extra when the weather starts to bite.

Are Boo Baskets Anonymous or Not?

The traditional boo is anonymous, and that’s still charming. The point isn’t to one-up the neighbors; it’s to keep the ripple of delight moving. But if you prefer to hand boo baskets over in person, go for it. The spirit matters more than the stealth.

Where Do I Buy Stuff for a Boo Basket?

Now, let’s talk shopping … because the difference between “fun new tradition" and “why did this take all afternoon?" might come down to where you go.

Walmart is kind of the boo-basket sweet spot with everything you need. Seasonal aisles have the candy and the kitschy bits side by side: stickers, spider rings, glow sticks, etc. If you’re aiming for a little “wow," that’s easy, too — grab a soft throw, a character water bottle, or a small collectible figure, and suddenly your basket feels personal without blowing the budget.

Keep it spooky, keep it simple. Walmart has its own guide for building boo baskets, and here are some more suggestions to get you started:

• Tiny Nightmares Collectible Figure ($7.99): My teen son is deep in a horror-movie phase and loves weird little collectibles. Even so, he was way more excited than I expected to unbox this one — each package contains a 3-inch figure inspired by a fright-flick icon. He was hoping for Pennywise, Chucky, or the demonic nun from The Conjuring 2. He got M3GAN. Then he asked, “Can we go to Walmart and get more?"
• Cozy Printed Throw Blanket ($15.59): It’s been unseasonably warm across parts of the country this year, but when temps drop, it’s going to be harsh. These adorable flannel throws will keep your trick-or-treaters warm, whether they’re sitting on the couch watching Halloween movies, sorting their treats, or resting around the firepit. Choose from four fun fall designs.
• Zak Designs Water Bottle ($8.54): When my kids were younger, we’d load up a wagon with bottles of water to eliminate thirst while trick-or-treating. The plastic design and built-in carry loop makes these Zak Designs water bottles perfect for school, the playground, or All Hallows’ Eve.
• 18-Count Variety Pack of Candy ($15.97): Kids love these sweets (including Ring Pops, Juicy Drop Pops, Push Pops, and Baby Bottle Pops) more than chocolate, according to my teenagers.
• LED Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bag ($1.99): What’s a boo basket without the basket? This LED light-up jack-o-lantern tote is just the right size for small hands … and large enough for a Halloween night haul. Manufactured from canvas, it’s lightweight and sturdy enough for a few years of use.