Halloween, the spookiest time of the year, brings with it a delightful tradition that has been growing in popularity in recent years; Halloween boo baskets.
While you might be familiar with the concept of trick-or-treating and the exchange of sweet treats, Halloween boo baskets offer a fresh and creative way to spread the spirit of this haunting holiday.
And fortunately, Yorkshire is packed full of haunting locations, spooky stories and crafty creatives who love to celebrate the season. That’s why this Halloween I’m showing you how to create your very own Yorkshire boo basket for yourself or a friend.
Whether you’re a seasoned Halloween enthusiast or someone new to the tradition, these autumnal baskets provide an exciting twist to the season’s celebrations.
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How to Make a Boo Basket
Before we delve into the contents of a Yorkshire boo basket, here is a quick introduction to how to make a boo basket if you haven’t encountered them before.
What is a boo basket?
Boo baskets, also called boo bags, are a charming autumn tradition that is growing in popularity.
Individuals or families put together carefully curated baskets of seasonal and/or Halloween treats to deliver to their friends, families, or loved ones.
What goes in a boo basket?
A boo basket is a versatile gift, as you can tailor the contents to the recipient. If you are gifting a basket to someone who loves the Autumn season, you can fill it with cosy seasonal treat. Or, if you have a Halloween lover in mind, you can fill it with spooky delights!
No matter who you are gifting a boo basket to, it is a wonderful excuse to surprise someone special with a treat, just to let them know how much they mean to you.
Spooky Basket Ideas from Yorkshire
The beauty of making a boo basket, whether it is for yourself or a gift, is that you have the freedom to completely customise it with your choice of items.
And fortunately, many makers and independent businesses in Yorkshire love Autumn and the spooky season!
When I decided to treat myself to my very own boo basket, I knew I wanted to fill it with goodies from around the county that perfectly complement the season.
So, if you’re wondering how to make a boo basket with a fun Yorkshire twist, here are my top recommendations.
Yorkshire Wool Blanket
I knew that the first thing I wanted to add to my Yorkshire boo basket was a warm blanket.
The textile industry and wool in particular has a rich history in Yorkshire. Hundreds of factories were once scattered across the region and there is still a thriving wool industry here today.
A wool or wool-blend blanket was an obvious choice for my Yorkshire boo basket. They are warm and cosy for those crisp Autumn days. Plus, they are hardy and long lasting so will keep me warm for many years to come!
I chose my blanket from Yorkshire Blankets. They offer a fantastic range of colour options, sizes and price points. I was able to pick up a beautiful wool-blend blanket for a very reasonable price!
The combination of orange and purple tones perfectly complements the Autumn tones plus the traditional spooky season colours.
I was certain this blanket was designed for a Yorkshire-themed boo blanket – we were off to a strong start!
Warm Yorkshire Wool Socks
Next up – socks!
Although the blanket is going to keep me wrapped up warm, I needed a pair of warm wool socks to add to my basket. It doesn’t matter what the season is, my feet are always freezing!
Much like the blanket, I wanted to find a pair socks made from wool that is both warming and hardwearing. With a chilly Yorkshire Autumn and Winter ahead, these socks will be getting a lot of wear!
As a crafter myself, I’ve previously purchased wool from West Yorkshire Spinners in the past. However, my lead time to convert them into socks is a pretty substantial one!
Fortunately, they also sell a selection of ready-made socks if you don’t fancy knitting up a pair of your own! Plus, they have loads of colours and designs available.
The pair I chose is from their Country Birds Collection and it is inspired by the robin. Although it is more commonly associated with Christmas, the colours in these robin socks have a distinctly autumnal feel.
The rich orange, red and brown colourway reminds me of woodland walks beneath the falling Autumn leaves. I’m going to wear them on my next visit to Hardcastle Crags to see the Autumn colours!
A Yorkshire Ghost Story
So far my boo basket was leaning into the Autumn season. The combination of cosy wool and Autumn colours was a good starting point, but I was ready to add something a little more spooky.
When I picture the Autumn months, I imagine being wrapped up under my new blanket with a good book in hand. And fortunately, Yorkshire is a popular backdrop for a gripping ghost story.
When looking for books of Yorkshire ghost stories, I was spoiled for choice! Haunted York was a strong contender, as I always love learning more about the haunted history of York. (Did you know it is one of the most haunted cities in the country?)
However, it has been a while since I indulged in a fiction book so I wanted to lose myself in a thrilling ghost story. When I stumbled across Parliament of Rooks by Karen Perkins, I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for!
The tale is part of the author’s Yorkshire Ghosts series, which shares historical tales set against some of the most haunted locations in Yorkshire.
Parliament of Rooks tells the story of life in Haworth, the West Yorkshire village best known as the home of the Brontë sisters. It has some excellent reviews so I can’t wait to get stuck in and read it!
A Spooky Bookmark
Of course, since I have a new book to read, I need a new bookmark to go with it!
A spooky bookmark to go with the ghost story felt like the next sensible addition to add to the boo basket. But I didn’t want this to stray from my Yorkshire theme.
Fortunately, Sheffield-based artist Sian Ellis has a fantastic selection of ghostly goodies available in her Etsy store. I love her style and already own a few of her prints and originals to add a fun touch to our home all year round, not just for spooky season!
Sian has several bookmarks available online with her iconic designs. It was a tough decision but I eventually settled on a design. I thought the ghostly library was a fun choice and perfect for my Yorkshire boo basket.
The bookmark is double-sided and printed on glossy card, perfect to slip between the pages of my book ready to start reading.
Yorkshire Tea
So now I’m wrapped up warm with a book in hand, the next logical item to add to my Yorkshire boo basket was a box of Yorkshire Tea.
I don’t think any Yorkshire gift basket is complete without some Yorkshire Tea included! This regional staple completes any gift, no matter what time of year.
Tea works especially well in a boo basket as it provides much needed warmth for chilly Autumn days. It would also work really well paired with a mug in the basket. I have a cupboard full of mugs already otherwise I would have treated myself to this one!
A Tasty Yorkshire Treat
Then of course I found some biscuits to go with the tea!
I’m a huge fan of Yorkshire bakery Lottie Shaw’s. They sell a fantastic range of annual and seasonal sweet treats that are always delicious.
When it came to picking an item for my Yorkshire boo basket, I went for my personal favourite, Yorkshire Parkin Biscuits.
If you haven’t tried traditional Yorkshire Parkin before, it is a dense ginger cake and very delicious! Lottie Shaw’s offer a unique twist on this local treat with their Yorkshire Parkin Biscuits.
The biscuits are less dense than the traditional cake, but are still packed with flavour. The warming ginger taste is perfect for the Autumn chill. Although you’ll often find me indulging in these all year round!
Pumpkin Spiced Latte Candle
Now, it wouldn’t be a boo basket without a little pumpkin spiced latte, would it? However, the PSL I’ve added to the basket isn’t for drinking!
This pumpkin spiced latte candle from The Yorkshire Candle Company is the perfect companion for my cosy Autumn evening in.
Much like the biscuits, the candle has a warm, spiced scent which is sure to create a snug, homely environment. It comes in a sturdy silver tin and is made in Yorkshire using soy wax and a cotton wick.
I love The Yorkshire Candle Company’s products and often have one of their scents burning in my home office. My personal favourite is the dark roast coffee, which would also work extremely well in a boo basket.
A Little Yorkshire Spirit
I wanted to add one final spooky detail to my Yorkshire boo basket. This time, in the form of a little Yorkshire spirit.
I’ve long been a fan of The York Ghost Merchants located on The Shambles in York city centre. Their quaint, handmade ghosts are the best souvenir to buy in York and the themed shop is a brilliant experience to visit.
I actually picked up this ghost from the store several years ago, not long after the store first opened. I couldn’t help but add him in though, because he looks so at home amongst the Autumn and Halloween goodies!
If you want to pick up a ghost for yourself, they periodically release batches of ghosts on the website, although these do sell out very quickly. Alternatively, you can visit the store (which I highly recommend!) but you will need to be prepared to queue – these spooks are in high demand!
Other Ideas for a Yorkshire Boo Basket
So, that’s everything I added to my Yorkshire boo basket, but what are you going to add to yours?
Making a boo basket is an endlessly creative activity. You can add anything you want to your own boo basket or make up one with a friend’s favourite things for a gift!
If you’re looking for more inspiration of items for your Yorkshire boo basket, here are some other great items you can add:
- Yorkshire institution Betty’s launch a seasonal range of delicious baked treats that would make a fantastic addition to a Yorkshire boo basket. See their Halloween range here.
- A cosy alternative to a blanket, a warm Yorkshire wool scarf! I love the selection in this store.
- It might not be made in Yorkshire but this York ghost bookmark is very cute and hard to resist!
- This gift set combines a spooky Lottie Shaw pumpkin-shaped biscuit with a selection of Yorkshire teabags. How perfect is that?
- If you are lucky enough to own a ghost from York Ghost Merchants, check out this cool custom stand you can have made. You can even have your ghost’s name added to it!
- For a true Yorkshire Autumn touch, this ‘Ey Up Pumpkin’ print is perfect!
- There’s nowhere in Yorkshire quite as atmospheric as The Shambles on Halloween. This ghostly Shambles t-shirt captures it perfectly.
- You could even include a spooky gift experience in your Yorkshire boo basket! Check out my reviews of the York Ghost Bus Tour and the best Ghost Walks in York for some ideas!
- If you are gifting to a serious tea lover, this Yorkshire Tea coaster is a great addition alongside the teabags and much. It might not be spooky, but it is certainly essential for cold Autumn days!
How to Make a Boo Basket this Halloween
So, that’s everything you need to know about how to make a boo basket for a Yorkshire lover this Autumn! Which items will you be adding to your basket? I’d love to know so let me know in the comments!
And if you love Yorkshire as much as I do, sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more Yorkshire adventures and tips!
Until our next adventure,
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If you like these tips on how to make a boo basket for Yorkshire lovers, be sure to follow Get Lost on Pinterest. That’s where I’ll be sharing all my great Yorkshire travel guides.
Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
I love this, your unique perspective and your adoration of all things Yorkshire! You have convinced me to add it to my bucket list!!
Thanks so much! It was so fun putting this little collection of spooky Yorkshire goodies together! I hope you have an opportunity to visit Yorkshire soon!