Aesthetic Halloween Finds for the Mom Who’s Not a Costume Person
You can still be festive without putting on a witch hat
If the thought of buying a family costume set makes you want to fake a cold until November 1st—you’re not alone. Here’s how to feel seasonal without dressing like a banana.
Cute, Low-Key Festive Finds:
Ghost-print lounge sets
Halloween-themed press-on nails
Reusable “boo crew” coffee cups
Black cat gold hoop earrings
Seasonal candles with cheeky names (bonus if they say “Witch Please”)
Graphic tees that say things like “Resting Witch Face” or “Creepin’ It Real” in nice fonts
Bonus:
Your go-to trick for looking festive in five minutes? A bold lip, a printed tote, and your editable Halloween favor tag tied to a treat in your kid’s lunchbox. Done.
How to Host a Boo Box Swap with Friends (AKA Trick-or-Treating for Moms)
A cozy, no-pressure excuse to wear black lipstick and drink cider
Halloween isn’t just for the kids. Enter: the Boo Box Swap. It’s like Secret Santa’s moody, fall-loving cousin. Get a group of 4–8 friends, make small boo boxes ($10 limit, max vibes), and swap over cider and spooky snacks.
How it works:
Each person makes 1–3 boo boxes with small themed goodies
Everyone draws numbers and picks a box (or swap White Elephant style!)
No one leaves without a treat, a laugh, and a sugar high
What to include:
Trader Joe’s seasonal finds
Cozy socks
Handmade bath salts
Pumpkin face masks
Edgy candy or candles
The Boo Box for Kids Who Can’t Eat Sugar (Or Whose Parents Will Kill You If You Try)
A round-up of fun, safe, non-food alternatives that still feel festive
Not every kid can—or should—dive face-first into a bag of sugar. Whether they have allergies, dietary restrictions, or you just want to skip the meltdown, here’s your go-to list for a sugar-free boo box that’s still full of fun.
Non-Candy Ideas:
Mini Halloween books
Glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls
Halloween socks
Scratch art bookmarks
Water bead kits or squishy toys
Packaging Tip:
Go for drawstring organza bags, small boxes, or kraft bags with your editable Halloween gift tags
Halloween Party Favor Ideas for Every Age (That Won’t Get You Dirty Looks from Other Parents)
From 1-year-olds to tweens who act like they’re 22, we’ve got you covered
Not all Halloween party favors are created equal. Some are choking hazards. Some are sugar bombs. Some just... suck. Let’s break it down by age so you can skip the guessing and still be the parent who has it together (at least on the outside).
By age group:
1-Year-Olds:
Crinkle paper, mini board books, fruit pouches with a ghost tag
Avoid: Anything small or hard; trust me on this.
Toddlers (2-3):
Chunky crayons, stickers, rubber duckies dressed as pumpkins
Gift tag idea: “Boo Crew Approved”
Preschool (4-5):
Play-Doh, glow sticks, small puzzles, spooky coloring pages
Optional printable: Mini Halloween coloring sheet
Elementary (6–9):
Slap bracelets, joke cards, monster erasers, sugar-free lollipops
Add-on: Trick-or-treat checklist printable (use your Canva templates!)
Tweens (10–13):
Mini body mists, moody stickers, aesthetic candy bags
Pro tip: If it looks cute on their Snapchat story, you’ve won
Bonus Section:
Allergy-friendly options (Sunbutter cups, non-edible fillers)
Printable editable tag pack for each age group
The Boo Box Blueprint: 5 Foolproof Formulas for Every Kind of Friend
Whether they’re a PSL purist or goth-lite introvert, here’s how to build a spooky treat box they’ll actually love
Tired of cobbling together random candy and praying it looks thoughtful? Fear not. The Boo Box Blueprint is your new seasonal cheat sheet. It’s five ready-to-go themes for friends, teachers, coworkers, and that cool barista you think knows your name.
The Pumpkin Spice Maximalist:
Cinnamon anything, pumpkin chapstick, caramel popcorn, cute socks
Gift tag: “Pumpkin spice & everything nice”
The Goth Lite Girlie
Black nail polish, mini spell candles, tarot sticker sheet, dark chocolate
Gift tag: “Boo-tifully spooky”
The Pinterest Mom MVP
Reusable Halloween snack bags, sugar-free gummies, stickers, aesthetic ghost straw toppers
Gift tag: “Trick or Treat Yo’ Self”
The Elementary School Hero (aka Teacher)
Tea bags, thank-you note, room spray, mini hand sanitizer
Gift tag: “Witching you a calm October”
The Minimalist (But They’ll Never Admit It)
Neutral pumpkin soap, a ghost-shaped cookie, black-and-white tag
Gift tag: “Spooky but make it chic”
How to Boo Your Neighbors Without Being Weird About It
A step-by-step guide to stealth gifting seasonal cuteness without looking like a suburban stalker
Let’s get one thing straight—“boo-ing” your neighbors is not a euphemism. It’s a wholesome, slightly mischievous Halloween tradition where you anonymously leave a treat bag or box on a neighbor’s porch with a little tag that says “You’ve been boo-ed!” They’re supposed to pay it forward... but even if they don’t, you still get to feel like the Halloween fairy.
Step-by-Step:
Pick your people. Choose 2-3 houses max. No pressure to boo the whole block. This is a vibes-based activity.
Assemble your boo box or bag. Include treats (candy or allergy-friendly options), small trinkets, or anything festive.
Add a printable tag or note. Include “You’ve been boo-ed!” and quick instructions to keep it going.
Deliver like a ninja. Drop it off on the porch, ring the bell if you’re brave, and RUN.
What to Include (3 Types of Boo Boxes):
For the kid-filled house: slime, glow sticks, mini toys, no-mess candy
For the new parents: dark chocolate, lavender bath bomb, sleepy tea (aka "we see you, October zombies")
For the spooky-chic neighbor: seasonal candle, cute matchbox, neutral-toned treats
Need some printables to get you started?!
Click here to get your “You’ve been booed” freebie sign, instructions, and gift tags to leave behind for your victims! (erm, I mean neighbors…)
Save some spooky time with printable gift tags for boo boxes or class gifts with the printables available on my Etsy shop! Use the code BooBox for 10% off your order.
Tailgate Chic: Fall Gifts for the Football-Loving Friend Who Still Owns a Steamer
You know the one. She’s showing up to the tailgate in a perfectly coordinated outfit, monogrammed tumbler in hand, and somehow—somehow—her deviled eggs are still cold. She's not just here for the game. She’s here for the vibes, the food, and maybe a little mild chaos. This gift guide is for the friend who treats tailgating like a lifestyle—equal parts Southern charm and Pinterest board.
Whether she's stadium-bound or watching from a projector in her driveway, here are 10 thoughtful (and low-key fabulous) gifts that say: “Yes, I preheated the cooler.”
Stadium-Approved Clear Bag (That Doesn’t Look Like a Trash Bag)
Stylish, structured, and game-day ready. Choose one with gold hardware and a removable crossbody strap.
Insulated Casserole Carrier
For the girl who shows up with an heirloom chili recipe and expects her dish to stay hot. Bonus if it matches her SUV.
Bougie Disposable Towels
Think fancy wet wipes or linen-feel napkins. Because BBQ sauce waits for no one.
Monogrammed Travel Mug (That Actually Keeps Things Hot)
For early kickoffs and iced coffee emergencies. Personalize it in her team’s colors or initials.
Tailgate-In-A-Tote Kit
Everything she needs: mini charcuterie board, toothpicks, spice shaker, bottle opener, cloth napkins. Roll it up like she’s on Top Chef: Stadium Edition.
Team-Colored Hair Bow or Headband
For the friend who always has her hair done and knows the quarterback's stats.
Bluetooth Tailgate Speaker (with Retro Flair)
Small, cute, and loud enough to drown out rival fans. Preferably in an aesthetic fall tone.
Mini Portable Fire Pit
Perfect for post-game hangs. Even better if there are s’mores involved.
Custom Game Day Sign or Banner
Hand-painted or printable — either way, it's going on the ‘gram.
Cozy Socks in Her Team Colors
Stylish enough for boots, soft enough for the post-game nap in the backseat.
Tailgating might be about the team, but let’s be real—it’s also about the outfit, the snacks, and the vibe. These gifts are perfect for the friend who brings the energy and the folding table. Bonus points if you wrap it all in a cooler bag with a bow on top.
Gifts for People Who’d Rather Be at a Fall Festival
Some people count down to pumpkin spice season. Others romanticize apple picking like it's a national holiday. And then there are the ones who show up to the fall festival in boots, a chunky scarf, and a tote bag just waiting to be filled with handmade soap and kettle corn.
This is a gift guide for them—the ones who crave crisp air, cinnamon everything, and a corn maze they will absolutely get lost in on purpose. Whether they’re sipping cider on the couch or dragging you to the county fair, here are 10 thoughtful gifts that bring all the cozy, festive fall vibes (without needing a wristband).
Apple cider donut candle – Smells like crisp apples, cool fall air, and flannel. Inspired by actual apple orchards and Sunday drives upstate, this candle turns any room into peak October. Hand-poured, clean-burning, and fall in a jar.
Cozy sherpa fleece blanket –Perfect for bonfire nights or pretending you're at one while binging Halloween rom-coms. Over 20 color options and wildly well-rated.
Pumpkin patch crewneck –A retro-style pullover that says “yes, I have ranked all local hayrides.” Super soft and fall-ready.
Autumn tea sampler–No orchard required. Includes cinnamon apple, chai spice, and more for maximum cozy beverage energy.
Carhartt knit beanie –The unofficial uniform of all people who sip cider out of mason jars. Comes in burnt orange, mustard, olive, and every other fall mood.
Gifts for the Friend Who Is Autumn—Like, Spiritually
This isn’t someone who likes fall. This is someone who is fall. If she were a drink, she’d be a mulled wine with just a hint of melancholy. She’s had her favorite scarf since college. She reads books she’s already read and still gets the chills. She believes in ghosts—at least a little. These gifts are made for her leafy little soul.
Literary Tea Collection – Luxe feel, not luxe price—perfect for reading poetry on a park bench
Velvet Floor Pillow – So she can sit cross-legged like a cozy forest witch
Autumn leaves soy candle –Handmade ceramic, perfect for earrings and whimsy
“The Secret History” tote–For lugging around existential dread in style
Soft knit lounge set –She’ll never finish it but that’s the point
Pumpkin Spice But Make It Parisian
You know her. She owns three journals, but only writes in one—and it’s in fountain pen. She wears a trench coat the first day temps drop below 70. She has a “go-to baguette spot” and insists it’s “not just about the bread—it’s the vibe.” This one’s for the Fall Romantic, the kind of friend who turns October into a mood board and thinks Emily in Paris is just “fine, but a little derivative.”
Sézane-Inspired Cashmere Wrap – Luxe feel, not luxe price—perfect for reading poetry on a park bench
French Press – Makes coffee feel like a ritual instead of a survival tactic. *Bonus: At the time of writing this post, the NY Times named this their top French Press, so you know it’s good!
Croissant Ring Dish –Handmade ceramic, perfect for earrings and whimsy
Everyday Beret–The hat she will wear inside and call it fashion
Parisian Puzzle (1000 pc) –She’ll never finish it but that’s the point
Gifts for the friend who treats her dog like a human child
I’m sure this list will continue to grow since…
There’s dog moms, and then there’s dog moms who would 100% throw their pup a birthday party with a guest list. If you’ve got a friend whose furry sidekick is basically their child, this one’s for them.
These summer-ready gifts are equal parts adorable and absurdly practical—because just like toddlers, dogs need sunscreen, life jackets, and personalized merch. (Yes, really.)
Whether you’re shopping for a gift, curating your own dog-mom starter pack, or just want to laugh at how far we’ve taken things—this roundup’s got you.
Summer dog gifts that go above and beyond (for both them and the dog!)
Funny graphic tee for dog moms – “Will cancel plans for my dog.” Honestly? Same.
Custom dog stickers – Because obviously your friend needs a cartoon version of their dog on their laptop, water bottle, and emotional support Stanley.
Cheers with your pal
Customized whisky glass – Dog parents can enjoy a nightcap, too!
Doggie shark, doo, doo, doo
Shark fin life jacket –For the dog who wants to be the main character at the lake. Bonus: it’s hilarious.
Dog-Friendly Sunscreen –Yes, SPF for dogs is a thing. This one from Emmy’s Best is non-toxic and great for sensitive pups.
Matching visors –This one goes out to the dog moms who want Baywatch energy—on all fours.
Gifts for poolside moms who know how to chill
Take “I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom” to a whole new level — with SPF, a stylish visor, and a chilled cocktail that stays chilled.
These summer-ready gifts are perfect for the mom who practically lives at the pool (and somehow always has everything you forgot). Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or a “just because” treat, these finds are fun, functional, and won’t break the bank.
Pool-side sips (without the glass shards)
Quince Tritan Outdoor Wine Glasses (Set of 6) – Elegant and unbreakable. Because plastic cups can be cute.
TOSSWARE Unbreakable Cocktail Glasses – Great for her signature spicy margarita or iced mocktails on repeat.
Visors that say “Main character at the pool”
Lululemon Straw Visor – Shade + chic + sweatband = a pool-day must.
Favorite Daughter Wide Brim Visor – Big vibes, big brim. She’ll love the drama (of the hat, not the day).
Sunscreen she’ll actually use
Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 50+ – Gentle on skin, tough on UV rays.
A towel that screams her name
Personalized pool towels – Embroidered with her name or “Cool Mom Club.”
Because “draw four” hits harder poolside
Waterproof playing cards – For the mom who makes poolside Uno competitive.
Float her snacks, not her standards
Floating drink holder or snack tray – Practical and Instagrammable.