7 Essentials for the Perfect Cosy Autumnal Boo Basket

A complete guide to curating a personalised Boo Basket – whether keeping it for yourself or treating someone else. Everything you need to know about what it is, what to put in it, and how to build it so that it’s the perfect way to welcome in Autumn. This article was written in partnership with Very.

Autumn is probably my favourite time of year. The weather cools nicely after the summer, the colours outside start to change, not to mention all those yummy Autumn treats (Pumpkin Spiced Latte, anyone?).

So – what better way to welcome in the new season than creating a gift for yourself or others?

Enter: The Boo Basket.

This is something I hadn’t heard of until recently – but now that I have, I’m more than happy to adopt each year!

What’s a Boo Basket, Anyway?

A Boo Basket is a Halloween or Autumn themed gift basket, filled with the sort of things that make the change of season a joy rather than something to lament.

The best thing I can liken it to is that it’s the Autumnal answer to a Christmas Eve box: a bundle of thoughtful items that envoke the new season, put together for a partner, a friend, the kids… or, let’s be honest, entirely for yourself.

Spooky or Snug – You Choose the Theme

The best thing about a Boo Basket is that it adapts easily to whoever it’s for.

You could go full Halloween with pumpkins, wreaths and something a little spooky, or keep it purely about the season, with warm and cosy items ready for the darker nights and rainy days.

There’s no wrong way to do it, and you could even do a mix of the two so that it’s exactly right for the person you’re making it for.

Get creative, and have some fun with it! I know I enjoyed it when I made one for myself…

Ideal Items To Add To Your Cosy Boo Basket

I decided to make my first Boo Basket a gift for myself to set the tone for the new season – and it was brilliant fun putting it together with items from Very (thank you Very!)!

Firstly – I went for a cosy theme rather than a Halloween one – but I still added in a few hints of the Halloween season too – just done with the vibe I wanted rather than a scary one!

Here are the categories of items I added, along with my choices for each, so you can be inspired to create something similar. (I’ve also given a few other ideas along the way that could be added as well if you prefer – it’s always what you want to add, that’s the real beauty of it!).

#1 – The Basket Itself!

Any basket can be chosen, from more of a trunk feel with a lid, to a harvest style with a handle. I chose more of a tray style for mine because this would be the perfect way to carry my coffee and treats from the kitchen to the sofa of an evening.

TIP – Make sure whatever you choose not only works for what you need it for afterwards (ideally get something that’s part of the gift so it’s not a waste) – but is also big enough to hold what you want to add into it. Nothing worse than buying everything only for it not to look great in the end…

#2 – A Throw or Cushion

I already had the perfect cosy throw (chunky cream – shown to the side of the basket in the photos) – but you could add in anything that’s warm and chunky, and /or in the right colour-way for Autumn (reds, oranges etc…).

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – Why not add in a picture on the cushion, or a spiders web pattern on the throw?

#3 – Seasonal Specific Items

For this I went for an Autumn Wreath that I could hang on the wall or my front door (not decided which as yet!).

Also a few pumpkins – a gorgeous deep red glass one, and a more cosy looking wool cream one – both will look amazing dotted around the house over the coming weeks.

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – Go for ghosts, witches, or pumpkins that are carved instead. Halloween decorations are a-plenty at this time of year – so pick things that the recipient would enjoy the most.

#4 – Candles & Candle Holders

Always a great addition to any Boo Basket! I love a good candle at any time of year, but there’s something really special about Autumn ones as they feel even cosier when the nights start to draw in.

For my basket I chose an Autumn scented candle in a jar, along with a couple of acorn patterned and textured tea light holders.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS – I already had a diffuser with Autumn specific oils like Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon – hence why I went for candles instead, but basically anything that gives off an Autumn scent works well here. Alternatively you could add in a set of twinkly lights if you prefer not to have candles at all (or if giving to children, for example).

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – Add in a candle in the shape of a ghost, or a holder that’s halloween themed.

#5 – Drink Items

As it’s Autumn my mind goes immediately to the cosy drinks, and so a mug was the obvious choice for this category. I love this one as it says ‘Love you a Latte’ and Latte is one of my Autumn drinks (Pumpkin Spiced…. obvs.).

You could also add in specific drinks such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, flavoured syrups etc… as well here.

Or even an alcohol like an Espresso Martini, Baileys etc… would work well – just as long as it makes the person getting the basket feel the way you want them to feel (for this – cosy!).

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – The obvious choice here is to have a Halloween themed mug – there are so many to choose from. Whether it’s words or pictures.

#6 – Snacks / Food

For this category I picked some gorgeous chocolates – a real treat when watching a film under a cosy throw.

Adding in other snacks would work well here as well – things like popcorn with cinnamon flavouring, baked apple flapjacks etc…

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – You could create a jar of spooky themed sweets, or even give a bag of sweets ready for trick or treating.

#7 – Self Care Items

I picked some really lovely spa toiletries including an indulgent bath oil, as I always enjoy a bath when the cold weather sets in.

Other items you could add in here would be cosy ‘gifts for her’ options like socks, a hot water bottle, slippers, heated eye masks etc…

🎃 MAKE IT MORE HALLOWEEN – You can get a variety of Halloween themed items, but also just nodding to the season with choosing black coloured items would work well here.

Tips For Building the Basket

Once you’ve picked your pieces, the fun part is arranging them so the basket looks as good as what’s inside it.

TIP #1 – I’d suggest laying everything out first, rather than piling it straight in. This way you can see exactly what you’re working with.

TIP #2 – If you’ve added a throw or cushion, then it’s worth using to line the basket or put at the back of it before anything else goes in, so it doubles as padding for any breakables you may have.

TIP #3 – Look to put the tallest items towards the back, and work forward. Tuck the smaller bits into the gaps rather than leaving them loose on top.

TIP #4 – If it’s a gift, wrap in a layer of cellophane and a ribbon to tie it together and finish it off. perfectly – sort of like a hamper would be when all packaged up. (But if it’s staying with you… skip the wrapping and get straight to the candle – like I did!).

And I think I nailed it!

So if Autumn is your favourite time of year like me, then this is a great way to make the most of it.

A proper little collection of everything that makes the season worth loving, gathered in one ‘Boo Basket’ and ready to dive straight into.

I hope it’s inspired you to try creating one of your own too!

For more Autumn inspiration, head HERE next ->