The 12 Best Gifts to Add to a Boo Basket (for Kids, Tweens and Even Your Grown-Up BFF)

If you’re looking for a ready-made boo basket with a nice variety of festive surprises, this one fits the bill. Available in both pink and black/white this box includes a blanket and pair of socks, both of which are made from the softest fleece, as well as a spooky-cute coffee mug with ghost print and a stainless steel keychain. The Halloween theme is spot-on, of course, but my favorite thing about this curated basket is how it leans into the dropping temperatures of fall with items that will keep you warm and cozy all season long.

This drinking cup has a cute Sanrio-inspired aesthetic that tweens will love, and it’s made to last, thanks to a crack-resistant borosilicone body and straw. Best of all, the cup can be used with both hot and cold beverages, and can even function as a desktop organizer, trinket dish or luminary throughout the year. Per the reviews, the cup holds up very well to extended use and happy customers appreciate the bended straw as well as the straw cleaner that’s included. That said, it’s worth noting that this one should be handwashed, as the heat of the dishwasher might degrade the adorable design.

This highly-pigmented gel nail polish kit is available in a wide variety of shades—from candy corn hues that mirror the changing leaves to moody magentas that evoke the spookier side of the season. Perhaps the coolest thing about this boo basket stuffer, though, is that all the shades have a temperature-sensitive, color-changing effect. In other words, it functions like a mood ring you wear on your nails. Plus, the finish is smooth, glossy and air bubble-resistant—just keep in mind that this product requires both a base coat and a UV lamp or LED light for curing, both of which you will need to purchase separately. (More goodies to stuff your boo basket with, at least.)

Presenting Elf-on-the-Shelf’s creepy Halloween cousin. These five-inch tall garden gnomes are straight out of a horror story, but it’s the kind of quirky decor that will give you a laugh long after the Halloween season has ended. (Seriously, I can think of a million hilarious places to put these figurines.) Numerous five-star reviews remark on the perfect size of these gnomes—noticeable, but not too imposing—and very finely crafted. It’s not garden variety decor, so to speak, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more unique tchotchke for your home.

These charming crochet plushies are small, squishy and oh-so whimsical. They are also more saccharine than spooky—namely because they feature positive affirmations (think: ‘you are boo-tiful,’ etc.). Still, that’s what makes them such a sweet treat to include in a boo basket for friends and family members alike. Let’s just say these guys give Casper a run for his money in the friendly ghost department.

Here, a dimmable silicone night light that’s decidedly more comforting than creepy. (I mean, who wouldn’t want a bedtime hug from that blobby, chapeau-wearing ghost?) Better still, this festive night light has some pretty high-tech features, including a tap-control feature that allows you to choose from three different brightness settings and a 30-minute timer. Use the included USB charger for two hours and you will be rewarded with six hours of warm, ambient light that will keep the boogeyman away and make kids feel safe during the witching hour.

Another feel-good boo basket stuffer, these positive affirmation jars feature 60 uplifting messages, printed on durable and vibrantly colored cardstock. You can choose from the bat or black cat style, depending on your personal preference; both styles promise a holiday-themed treat that’s full of surprises (and particularly well-suited to younger kids who might feel a little spooked by the darker side of Halloween).

This set of seven stackable bracelets are a perfect accessory for Halloween and for the fall season in general. Three of the bracelets are holiday-themed with cute ghost and skull charms, while the other four are more versatile, with a mix of vibrant autumnal colors and glossy, pearlescent beads. Don’t take my word for it, though, there are numerous five-star reviews recommending this fun and festive accessory—like this one, which reads, “the quality is excellent! The beads and charms are detailed, shiny, and well made. Each bracelet has a nice stretch and is super comfy to wear.”

Tweens, teens and bookworms of all ages will be charmed by the punny, Halloween-inspired graphics on this bookmark. The plastic construction with metal charm is a durable design and the tongue-in-cheek message is applicable all year long for anyone known to get lost in a good read. Stick it into a Harry Potter book (or any other chapter book that fits the occasion) for a thoughtful and personal gift for avid readers that will be the centerpiece of the boo basket.

Sheet masks are all the rage these days, so it’s safe to say that any skincare-obsessed tween or teen will appreciate this fun, Halloween twist on the Korean beauty trend. This 12-pack of masks targets different skincare needs (brightening, detoxifying and pore-refining) with ingredients like kaolin clay, charcoal, witch hazel and niacinamide. They only need to be worn for 10 to 20 minutes, so they probably can’t double as a trick-or-treating mask. Still, from my experience, even ordinary sheet masks are pretty spooky looking (Mike Myers, anyone?) and these ones definitely take it up a notch without sacrificing the efficacy of the product.

For tweens and teens who want a festive manicure without the fuss of topcoats, basecoats and curing, these peel and apply stickers are an easy and blessedly mess-free option. The designs (pumpkins, cobwebs and bats, oh my!) are playful and cute, and the high-quality materials ensure a durable and long-lasting finish. By all accounts, the stickers are easy to remove from the sheet without the pesky problem of crinkling or folding, and happy customers say they lay flat and look great.

This Halloween activity book features 48 high-contrast pages of coloring and picture puzzles that improve attention and concentration skills, whilst providing ample screen-free entertainment for gradeschool-age kids. I love the potential for independent play here and think it’s a great diversion to have on hand at a restaurant, in the car or when a Halloween party starts to wind down. Plus, there are more than 300 hidden objects to find throughout this puzzle book, so your kid will get plenty of mileage out of it.