You’ve Been BOOed: How a Simple Tradition Brought Community Back to Life

In the fall of 2020, New York City felt like a different world. The constant sound of ambulances echoed through empty streets. Grocery store shelves were bare, and when they weren’t, long lines stretched down the block. Social distancing meant our little Astoria apartment felt smaller and lonelier than ever.

We were all longing for connection.

And then one afternoon, to our surprise, we opened our door to find a mysterious gift bag on our doorstep.

It was filled with little treats. No note. No name. Just a printed sign that said: “You’ve Been BOOed.”

For over a decade of living in that apartment, I had never been “BOOed.” I didn’t even know this tradition existed. But in that moment, it was pure magic.

How It Worked

The instructions explained that once you’ve been BOOed, it’s your turn to pass it on. Within a few days, you assemble your own Halloween gift bag, tuck in the instructions and the “We’ve Been BOOed” sign, and secretly deliver it to a neighbor who hasn’t yet been surprised.

No knock. No text. No explanation.

Just kindness in the dark.

So, of course, we joined in.

We put together our own BOO bag—filled with candles, chocolate, and even a little bottle of wine—and snuck it onto a neighbor’s doorstep.

Before long, houses up and down the block were proudly displaying “We’ve Been BOOed” signs in their windows. Suddenly, even in the midst of fear and isolation, we didn’t feel quite so alone anymore.

Why It Mattered

Looking back, that first BOO bag was more than just a festive surprise. It was a lifeline.

It reminded us that even in times of trauma and uncertainty, we can still find small, creative ways to care for one another. It showed us that community can be rebuilt not only through grand gestures, but through little acts of seasonal mischief and joy.

And it gave us back something we desperately needed in 2020: hope.

How to Start Your Own BOO Tradition

It’s simple—and it works in any neighborhood, not just New York City.

• Print the Sign & Instructions. Print a few copies of this PDF, which includes both the “We’ve Been BOOed” sign and step-by-step instructions. Place them all in your gift bag so your neighbor can easily keep the tradition going.

• Assemble a Gift Bag. Be as creative as you like! Fill it with seasonal treats, candles, mugs, popcorn, bath bombs, tea, or even a bottle of wine. Adults deserve treats too.

  
  

• Deliver in Secret. After dark, leave the bag on a neighbor’s doorstep. Don’t knock. Don’t text. The surprise is part of the fun.

  
  

• Watch the Magic Spread. In the days that follow, keep an eye out for “We’ve Been BOOed” signs popping up in windows. That’s how you know the tradition is alive and growing.

Final Thought

What started as a mysterious surprise in the middle of a dark season has become one of my favorite October traditions. It’s simple. Wholesome. A little bit magical.

Because sometimes the smallest gestures—the ones we give anonymously, without expectation—are the very things that remind us we belong to each other.