By: Midtowngirl

Midtowngirl — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:48:28 +0000

It’s funny to watch this tradition evolve each season as it becomes more and more mainstream. I was first introduced to “Boo-ing” about 16 years ago at a new work place. Colleagues would surreptitiously decorate each others’ cubicles, usually around a theme. The decorations could get pretty elaborate, and sometimes lean toward prankish. (One time a colleague completely filled our supervisor’s office with balloons. And once I completely cocooned a co-worker’s cubicle in spider webs!) In addition to the decorations, the “Boo-er” would leave a small Halloween themed gift on the “Boo” recipient’s desk, like a nice decoration for their home, or a mug filled with candy. The most important part is the “You’ve been Boo-ed” note left behind, instructing the Boo recipient to carry on this anonymous tradition by Boo-ing someone else. The underlying idea was to create a sense of seasonal fun and good cheer in the weeks leading up to Halloween. And it does work to great affect!!
I’ve taken the tradition to every place I’ve worked in the years since, and have been thrilled to watch as the tradition caught on and spread like wildfire!
The Boo baskets you describe were obviously born from this tradition. Moving the tradition from the workplace to emphasize more on family and friends makes sense, as we all are working from home.
But I’m saddened to see (in your iteration) the loss of the playful, slightly mischievous nature of anonymous Boo-ing, and underlying spirit of spreading Halloween cheer. Giving friends and family elaborate baskets without any of the “Trick” in “Trick or Treat”, feels like what would happen if “Nightmare Before Christmas” was flipped on its head, and Santa tried to take over Jack Skellington’s job.
I think by scaling back on the scale of the baskets, as you describe them, and re-incorporating the anonymous “You’ve Been Boo-ed” (be sneaky – doorbell ditch, if necessary! 🙂 , would go a long way toward keeping the original intent and spirit of the tradition alive.

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By: Midtowngirl