Want to spread some Halloween spirit among your friends and family? Make a Halloween scare package! Here’s how.
I’ve never been big on Halloween. This year, I’m trying to change that. I have a 3-year-old and an almost-6-year-old and I want them to love Halloween and all the fun that comes with it. To help us all get into the Halloween spirit this year, I thought up a list of Halloween traditions that my family (and yours) could explore.
I’ve been excited to dive into many of these Halloween traditions this October, but none more so than the Halloween scare package. It’s the perfect way to get my family into the spirit of Halloween and spread it further to our friends, family, and neighbors!
What is a Halloween Scare Package?
A Halloween scare package is basically a Halloween-themed care package. Just a little something to spread the spooky with those near and dear to you. It is filled with Halloween-themed items – treats, toys, decorations – whatever you want to give as a spooky surprise.
How do you put together a Halloween scare package? I’m so glad you asked! Here is the recipe I’m using this season.
Halloween Scare Package
Vessel
To kick off your assembly of the perfect scare package, you need a Halloween-themed vessel. Sure, you could just use a brown bag, but why would you squander the opportunity to add more Halloween-themed fun?
Hand delivery
If you’re hand delivering, I recommend a bag, box, or bucket that has something to do with Halloween – think ghosts, spiders, or the classic pumpkin. Then add more Halloween spirit with black and orange tissue paper (or some other Halloween-themed tissue paper).
If you’re sending your Halloween scare package in the mail, you’re pretty much stuck with a cardboard box. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it fun! Either pack your box full of that black and orange tissue paper or cover the inside of the shipping box with Halloween wrapping paper. Who doesn’t want to receive a box and then open it to find that Halloween has thrown up inside?
Decoration
I like to anchor a Halloween scare package with a small decoration that the recipient can use in his or her home during the Halloween season. It doesn’t have to be big. A cute little light-up jack-o-lantern or pumpkin pillow is sufficient.
You can lean into the cute or scary side of Halloween for the décor item, depending on the recipient. I lean cute because my Halloween decorations overall lean cute. I’m more smiling ghosts than blood and guts. And most of my friends have small children, who would be absolutely terrified of a blood-sucking vampire or a zombie. Just know your audience. You don’t want to give anyone nightmares for days.
Book
If you’ve been around Sara in Season for any length of time, you’re not at all surprised by my suggestion to include a book in your Halloween scare package. If you’re new here, hi! Also, I like to read and to talk about reading. So, of course books are involved in everything. Even Halloween!
Similar to the decoration you choose to include, you should also cater the book you include in your Halloween scare package to the recipient. If you’re giving a scare package to a family with young children, pick a Halloween-themed children’s book that the whole family will enjoy. We particularly like Clifford’s Halloween and Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! in our family.
If your recipients are all adults (and you know they can handle a scary story), go ahead and pick a creepy book. I’m a wimp, so I don’t have any personal recommendations for you in this category.
Edible treats
Finally, the highlight of any self-respecting Halloween scare package is certainly edible goodies. I mean, the hallmark of Halloween is candy. You’ve got to include a treat or two in your scare package or it’s not worth sending.
Candy
At the bare minimum, you should throw in some packaged Halloween candy. Think fun size deliciousness. If you know the recipient’s favorite candy, load up your scare package with it. If you’re not sure, add a variety of candy bars. I always suggest crowd pleasers like Reese’s cups and Twix Bars. Anyone making a scare package for me? Midnight Milky Ways please!
Baked treat
Want to kick your Halloween scare package up a notch? Include a cute Halloween-themed baked treat! Don’t worry, you don’t have to bake anything from scratch if you don’t want to. The grocery store has cute options at this time of the year. If you do want to make something from scratch, you can make these adorable mummy hand pies with just a handful of storebought ingredients. Cute, easy, and delicious – you can’t go wrong!
Dressed up packaged items
If you want to add a cute edible item to your Halloween scare package, but you’d rather stick to packaged items, either for allergen considerations or for ease, you can dress up prepackaged favorites to be seriously impressive. I’ve made mandarin pumpkins, applesauce mummies, lollipop ghosts, and monster pudding cups successfully. And I am the least artistic/crafty human being on the planet. If I can make these adorable treats, so can you.
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Are you planning to make a Halloween scare package this season? Please share your finished products with me by tagging me @sarainseason on Instagram!