Neighborhood Boo

I have lived in my neighborhood for 12 years and have always thought of it as a friendly one. We have a social committee that plans activities throughout the year, but the one activity my kids look forward to the most is being "Boo'd". Maybe you have something like this in your neighborhood too. The following is the letter that has been in the "Boo" bag for as many years as I can remember:

You've been Boo'd

Now it's your turn to "Boo" two other people in the neighborhood.

Please "Boo" these people within 2 days of receiving your treat.

Hang the paper ghost on your front door so everyone can see you have been "Boo'd" and will not "Boo" you again. This will also let you know who you can boo.

Fill 2 bags with candy and treats. Copy this letter and the ghost twice. Include treats, letter, and the ghost in your bag of goodies for the neighbors that you choose.

After dark, and only with an adult, "Boo" 2 of your neighbors. Do not let the person you are "Boo-ing" see you, for it adds to the fun of it all.

Place the treat bag on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run!

It will be fun to see how many ghosts will appear in our neighborhood by Halloween.

Please keep it safe and enjoy!

This year I found some Halloween themed silicon cupcake sets and Ross. I thought it was the perfect family treat. The kits came with everything but the cake mix and I didn't spend more than $5. I have the letter saved on the computer to print each year along with a clip art ghost.

Having watched many of the kids in our neighborhood grow up, move out or go off to college, I realized some of our neighbors don't get to participate by default - no kids at home! SO I tweaked the letter above to say say, "You've been Boo-zed" and left an inexpensive bottle of wine wrapped in a fall colored dishtowel. The part of the letter about candy and treats, I modified to, "Wrap a bottle of wine or 6 pack." You could do some other tweaks if you like but I felt like these two left the integrity of the activity yet left my neighbors with the feeling that we still appreciate them. Have fun with it - that's what this is about! I assure you, you will.