Secret Boo Halloween gift exchange

What a Secret Boo is

Secret Boo is Secret Santa with a spooky twist. Each person draws a name and leaves small, anonymous gifts for that person, often one a day for three to five days. On Halloween the Boo reveals themselves, or stays secret.

It is popular with neighbors, classrooms, offices and friend groups. It also works for an October office party, because it is a lighter commitment than December.

Rules

1. Draw names a week before the first drop, and keep the draw secret.
2. Set a budget, about $5 to $10 total for a multi-day Boo, or $10 to $15 for one gift.
3. Leave gifts at the door, on the desk or in a bag, then knock or text and leave. No peeking.
4. Check for allergies. Use non-food gifts if you are not sure.
5. Keep everything age-appropriate. No scares for people who dislike them.
6. Reveal on Halloween, or after, in whatever way the group likes.

Draw names for your Boo group in seconds. Everyone joins from one link. Create your group, free

Gift ideas

For cheap ideas that work any time see Secret Santa gifts under $10 and stocking stuffers under $10.

Doing it with neighbors or at work

For neighbors, use first names only and agree on drop spots, since not everyone wants strangers at the door. At work, keep gifts work-appropriate and remember that not everyone celebrates Halloween. Make joining optional and offer an alternative like a fall swap. See Secret Santa for neighbors and Secret Santa for office.

For kids, have a parent confirm the match, and limit food gifts to sealed, labeled items.

Ways to make the reveal fun

• Leave a final note signed with a ghost or bat drawing, then confess at a Halloween lunch.
• Run a guess-who vote the day before and give a small prize for the closest guess.
• Turn the reveal into a costume contest, with each Boo arriving in costume.
• Keep it secret forever, if your group likes the mystery.

Using Hollyhush for a Boo

Use the Secret Santa generator: create the group, rename it, set the dates, and share one link. People type a first name, with no app, account or email. After the draw, each person sees only their match. Chat is anonymous so people can ask about candy allergies without giving themselves away. Free up to 50 people.