It's time for one of my favorite activities in October...Booing my neighbors and friends!
Why? Because Booing is a fun activity to do with your kids. My kiddos loved it!
Now that we are empty nesters, Booing can be a fun way to connect with friends and/or connect or meet new neighbors. Booing can also show neighbors' and friends' appreciation in a fun way!
So what is Booing? Booing is when you leave a bag of Halloween goodies on someone's doorstep...usually a neighbor. You can do it anonymously by ringing their doorbell at night and leaving the bag on the doorstep while you make a run for it and hide! More on that below!
Another way to Boo would be to alert neighbors that you will be leaving some goodies on their doorsteps. Nowadays, this may be the way to go, but it's not as much fun.
How To Boo Your Neighbor and Friends
I. Get a Bag of Goodies Together
The bag of goodies Should Include:
1. A Friendly Ghost to Hang on the Door
Include a picture of a friendly ghost that goes on their front door. *See below for many examples.
Most people tape the ghost or include a door hanger that is a ghost. In this way, other neighbors will know that this house has already been "Booed" and they should leave their bag of goodies on someone else's doorstep to continue the fun.
2. Directions on How to Boo Others
Include instructions on how to Boo other neighbors. I give you several examples below. You can find instructions online, or even buy kits that include the ghosts, instructions, and bags at stores like Walmart, Target, and Hallmark.
Basically, all instructions will ask the person who has been "Booed" to Boo at least one or two other neighbors. In other words, they should leave a goodie bag on two more doorsteps that include a ghost, and instructions.
Note, I have a printer at my house, but some neighbors do not. To make it easier for my neighbors to Boo others, I sometimes leave several ghosts and copies of instructions in their bags.
3. Goodies!
Fill the bag with any treats you like. My bags may have different treats depending on the age of the children. I also like to leave treat bags for houses without children. So these houses will include more adult items. See below for goodie and gift ideas.
II. Leave the Bag on Your Neighbor's or Friend's Doorstep
There are two ways to do this...
1. Alert Neighbors Before You Leave The Bag
This is the safest way to do it! Text or call your neighbor or friend and ask them what is a good time to leave a goodie bag. If you have included chocolate, for example, you don't want the bag left out in the sun for hours, or left out on the doorstep all night for critters to munch on!
2. Dump and Run!
The most fun, but I would still give my neighbors a heads-up. I would alert them that we may be ringing their doorbell at night in the next couple of days, and leaving a bag of treats.
When my kids were younger, we would do this activity at night. We would leave
the goodies on their doorstep, ring their doorbell, and run!
We would hide in the bushes to make sure the goodies were picked up, before moving
on to the next house!
Yes, it is a little juvenile delinquent!.. But so much fun! My kids would dress in black for
camouflage, or multicolors like below!
My Kids dressed up to Boo our neighbors in 2012!
They were not wearing black that year, but they were trying to be in disguise!
If you don't know your neighbors well, or have
any concerns, I recommend that you give them a
head-up that you will be leaving a gift on their doorstep. Below: To Reiterate: Leave a message in the bag encouraging the neighbor you Booed, to Boo others. If you are Booed, leave a sign (ghost) on your door to let others know you have been Booed, so you don't get Booed twice. This way other neighbors get a chance to join in on the fun!
It is so fun when the whole neighborhood gets involved!
Encourage everyone to leave a sign (ghost) on their door if they have been Booed. It is exciting to see the signs increasing as more and more neighbors are Booed! 👻
You can now find Pre-made bags with instructions at Hallmark and other stores, even some grocery stores. But it is just as easy to copy or make your tags and instructions. I print the instructions and tags on card stock paper so they are
sturdy.
Also, you can buy cheap Halloween bags at Walmart or other discount stores.
Below are many examples of instructions and tags to put on the door.
A bag and card my neighbor left us last year! ❤️
Candy is always a good treat to put in the goodie bags. But I also like to include non-food items such as Halloween stickers, socks, small toys, etc.
Be sure to include treats for the adults in the family!
Some ideas include Fall scented hand sanitizers, lotions, Fall flavored coffees and teas, Pumpkin Spice flavored salsa and chips, Hot Cocoa Bombs, candles, gift cards, etc. I have been given adult beverages which were very appreciated.
The adults want to have fun too! Also, I love leaving bags for houses that don't have kids. You are never too old to join in the Halloween fun! And it's a fun way to show your neighbors that you care.
Some items I am going to include this year...
*Many of the items I bought at The Fresh Market, Star Bucks, and Bed Bath and Body Works.
Some of the items I am including in my bags this year. 🎃
Make these cute Halloween "Lollipop" Treats for favors for your Halloween party or as a treat in a Boo Bag.
Small treats are wrapped up in crepe paper, put in a cellophane bag with a cute straw then tied together.
*Click on the highlighted title above for specific directions.
Have fun celebrating Halloween and the Fall Season. Happy Booing!! 👻🎃
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