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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Boo boxes

129 replies

CrispieCake · 09/10/2025 16:41

I know someone will be along in a minute to say you do you, no need to participate if you don't want to, yada, yada, yada, but I've just seen these in a shop window and
...wtf?!!!

What fresh parental hell is this?

OP posts:
GarlicBreadStan · 09/10/2025 16:42

I'm guessing a "Boo box" is like a Christmas Eve box, except instead it's for Halloween?

If so, I did a "Boo bag" for my son (and gave it to him early) and I'm going to do one for my partner as well. I think they're cute, but I also understand that it's just a way for supermarkets to profit off of Halloween even more

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/10/2025 16:44

It's just a bit of fun. A brief window of happiness in this bleak world.

Toomuchtooearly · 09/10/2025 16:45

GarlicBreadStan · 09/10/2025 16:42

I'm guessing a "Boo box" is like a Christmas Eve box, except instead it's for Halloween?

If so, I did a "Boo bag" for my son (and gave it to him early) and I'm going to do one for my partner as well. I think they're cute, but I also understand that it's just a way for supermarkets to profit off of Halloween even more

What do you put in them?

Labelak · 09/10/2025 16:46

Halloween choc
Halloween cake mix
Costume parts
Whatever you want
Doesn't have to be much, and many people would have already bought kids something along these lines during October anyway. I don't really see the issue with this.

ramonaquimby · 09/10/2025 16:46

I've always sent my kids care packages once they started uni, my mum did the same for me and my siblings when we were students. Now, It's just a way to profiteer off whatever holiday it is. I love putting one together, and I know my kids love getting them . Just ignore if you're not a fan

CrispieCake · 09/10/2025 16:46

Surely the whole point of Halloween is that other people give them the loot?

Other people! Not their bloomin' parents.

So I'm not only expected to provide sweets and treats for the whole neighborhood now, but I'm also meant to provide an extra-special stash for my own acquisitive little brats darlings.

It's getting ridiculous... The kids are literally rinsing us for all they can get now!

OP posts:
Ncforthis2244 · 09/10/2025 16:46

Boo bag. Don't say that in a Scottish accent 😂

Rosebold · 09/10/2025 16:47

If I didn't get one as a kid, neither do mine thats the rule. We do an old fashioned proper Scottish Halloween around here, none of that American shite.

Boo boxes
GarlicBreadStan · 09/10/2025 17:27

Toomuchtooearly · 09/10/2025 16:45

What do you put in them?

In my son's, I put a Halloween-themed cup, three different types of chocolate (two being Halloween-themed), a Halloween activity book, a pumpkin Pop-It and a bat Pop-It, and other various Halloween-themed trinkets that I can't remember even though it was only a week ago that I did it 🤣

Screwyoudavid · 09/10/2025 17:36

Just more tat in landfill and money spent on shite.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 09/10/2025 17:37

Whatever fucking next.

Twintrouble1234 · 09/10/2025 17:41

Much like Christmas Eve boxes, in our house they are seasonal themed treats that they would have got anyway put into a box.

Toomuchtooearly · 09/10/2025 17:47

GarlicBreadStan · 09/10/2025 17:27

In my son's, I put a Halloween-themed cup, three different types of chocolate (two being Halloween-themed), a Halloween activity book, a pumpkin Pop-It and a bat Pop-It, and other various Halloween-themed trinkets that I can't remember even though it was only a week ago that I did it 🤣

Interesting! I'd never heard of them but sounds like something my son would like!

GarlicBreadStan · 09/10/2025 17:48

Toomuchtooearly · 09/10/2025 17:47

Interesting! I'd never heard of them but sounds like something my son would like!

I honestly only spent about a tenner on everything in there, so it doesn't need to be expensive either

ClaredeBear · 09/10/2025 17:51

Rosebold · 09/10/2025 16:47

If I didn't get one as a kid, neither do mine thats the rule. We do an old fashioned proper Scottish Halloween around here, none of that American shite.

This is correct.

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 09/10/2025 17:54

ClaredeBear · 09/10/2025 17:51

This is correct.

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Beekman · 09/10/2025 17:55

Don’t blame Americans for this. I live in the States and have only ever heard of British people doing them.

Winterscomingbrrr · 09/10/2025 17:57

I did one is an odd post lockdown time. Schools were open but everything else was closed and it was pile of activities for us to do over October half term. I didn’t call it a boo box but the same thing.

Justcallmedaffodil · 09/10/2025 17:58

CrispieCake · 09/10/2025 16:41

I know someone will be along in a minute to say you do you, no need to participate if you don't want to, yada, yada, yada, but I've just seen these in a shop window and
...wtf?!!!

What fresh parental hell is this?

But it literally is just like every other parenting decision, you do it the way you want to? I.e. in this case, you either choose to participate or not. I’m not sure why you would take issue with other people choosing to buy into something that you don’t, it has zero impact on your life.

youalright · 09/10/2025 17:59

These have been around for years and so have threads acting shocked about them they're nothing new. We don't do them as I personally think they're stupid but each to their own

Youllnevergetabetterbitofbutteronyourknife · 09/10/2025 18:01

All I think of when I hear Boo Box is Hook! 🤣

https://youtube.com/shorts/qOnCbjySRE4?si=Ga96qcp4LxeIHuMd

Zanatdy · 09/10/2025 18:06

Glad mine are grown up now. I never did any of these boxes, my kids got plenty on bdays and Christmas. No elf on the shelf. They have survived. I don’t care if others want to do it, but do agree it puts pressure on those who don’t want anymore stress in their life.

Ooogle · 09/10/2025 18:10

God no, it’s ridiculous.

mine have an Xmas eve box because I had one as a child - well a little bag with pjs in it. They have a shared box with pjs and new slippers in it and chocolate.

I am not doing a Halloween box 😆 they are 10 and 13 now so will probably never expect one, luckily. They’ll have their sweets on Halloween and that’ll be that

Summerhillsquare · 09/10/2025 18:17

Rosebold · 09/10/2025 16:47

If I didn't get one as a kid, neither do mine thats the rule. We do an old fashioned proper Scottish Halloween around here, none of that American shite.

That is a braw neep!

myglowupera · 09/10/2025 18:24

Zanatdy · 09/10/2025 18:06

Glad mine are grown up now. I never did any of these boxes, my kids got plenty on bdays and Christmas. No elf on the shelf. They have survived. I don’t care if others want to do it, but do agree it puts pressure on those who don’t want anymore stress in their life.

I agree it’s just something else to think about.

Great for those people who don’t have any limits and never find any of it exhausting. But I think the amount of pressure all year round has become ridiculous over these past 5 years or so. Boo boxes are just a small part of it.