A few years ago — maybe three? — I remember getting booed for the first time. I opened the front door to see if we had a package, and there was a boo bag. I had no idea what it was. I’d never heard of them before. My first reaction when I read that you needed to pass it on was overwhelmed, blindsided, and ANNOYED!! My internal dialogue was, “Who has the time to do this sh*t!” Is it terrible to admit that? I was still working my corporate job — commuting into the city every day—the kids were in daycare, and I couldn’t even imagine when I would have time to squeeze in time to go to Target to pick up things for us to “boo” two more people. But then, I turned around to bring it inside, and my kids asked what we got, and their joy and excitement over this surprise were COMPLETLY CONTAGIOUS! They were delighted and couldn’t wait to play with all the little Halloween goodies inside. It was at that moment that I felt myself soften. I vowed that as long as I plan — and hopefully help you all plan ahead — I could ENJOY the opportunity we all have to create these magic moments for our children. Since then, we have had so much fun getting into this early Halloween tradition and spreading Halloween joy to a few of our neighbors and close friends. The fun part is that it’s all anonymous — so it feels like such a pure form of giving since it’s without recognition.
It can sometimes feel like it’s just another thing we have to add to our already endless to-do list, but our children won’t be little for long, and I know I’ll miss how tender and sweet this chapter of life is — so I’m leaning into all these little moments.
Here are a few fun goodies that would be great to mix and match for your boo bags! Most are under $10 —with many $1-$5.
01. TARGET GHOST PAINTING ACTIVITY
02. THESE GRAVEYARD WINDOW CLINGS, AND THESE CAT AND PUMPKIN WINDOW CLINGS ARE EXTRA CUTE.
03. VINTAGE HALLOWEEN SURPRISE BALLS OR THESE SPIDER SURPRISE BALLS
04. PUMPKIN PATCH TATTOO SHEET — BUY THIS AND CUT A FEW OUT FOR EACH BAG
06. TARGET STICKERS — I LOVE THESE HALLOWEEN STICKERS FOR THE KIDS TO MAKE CARDS / DRAWING WITH
07. PUMPKIN LIGHT-UP NECKLACE OR THESE GHOST LIGHT-UP NECKLACE
09. HALLOWEEN PENCILS AND THIS FURRY GHOST PAD IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PUT IT OVER THE TOP
10. FESTIVE BALLOONS — MY CHILDREN ARE OBSESSED WITH PLAYING KEEP-IT-UP, AND THESE HALLOWEEN BALLOONS WOULD MAKE THE GAME FEEL EVEN MORE FESTIVE.
11. CAT HEADBANDS — WE INCLUDED THESE IN OUR BAGS LAST YEAR AND THEY WERE A HUGE HIT! THE KIDS AND MAMAS LOVED THEM. THEY ARE A FUN LITTLE FESTIVE ACCESSORY FOR THOSE NOT INTO GOING THE FULL COSTUME ROUTE!
12. THESE ARE A BIT OVER THE TOP, BUT THESE LITTLE PLUSHES ARE A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. I SPECIFICALLY LOVE THIS HALLOWEEN SPIDER, HALLOWEEN CAT, CANDY CORN, AND HALLOWEEN OCTOPUS.
13. MAKE MUMMY HALLOWEEN TREATS OR FESTIVE HALLOWEEN SUGAR COOKIES — ENJOY BAKING WITH YOUR KIDS AND THEN SHARING THE SWEET TREAT WITH THEIR FRIENDS
14. DOUGH JARS — THIS BRAND MAKES THE BEST SMELLING, SMOOTHEST, MOST INCREDIBLE “PLAYDOUGH,” PLUS ALL THEIR FESTIVE ADD-INS MAKE FOR HOURS OF SENSORY PLAY.
FINALLY, YOU CAN THROW IN SOME HALLOWEEN CANDY, BUT I TRY TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT SINCE IT’S A MONTH FULL OF SO MUCH SUGAR ALREADY!!
PUMPKIN TRICK OR TREAT PAIL — USE THIS TO PUT ALL YOUR GOODIES IN, AND THEN IT CAN BE REPURPOSED FOR TRICK OR TREATING ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT.
P.S. HERE ARE 11 FREE PRINTABLE BOO PRINTABLES.
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