With the help of our local businesses, Macaroni KID Athens is filling and delivering 24 "BOO Baskets" throughout the Athens and Oconee area to help spread some spook-free cheer this season. 👻 I'm excited to share that this year, the BOO Baskets come with even more community involvement: our generous sponsors have contributed towards a $25 gift card giveaway to Chops and Hops to help our local families get a Thanksgiving turkey! 🦃
Read additional details about this effort at the end of this article.
Never heard of BOO Baskets before?? Learn more about this fun "pay it forward" project below, and be sure to enter for your chance to win one!
| What is a BOO Basket? |
A BOO Basket is a FREE-to-receive Halloween-themed gift basket delivered to your front door! These baskets are filled with kid-friendly items your child would enjoy (candy and other edible treats, stickers, glow sticks, crafts, and more, with some amazing items from our generous sponsors). Each basket is hand-delivered with a note that says "We've been BOO'd!", along with instructions on how to keep the fun going! It is then up to you to boo TWO more families with a small basket of goodies and a copy of the instructions.
Let's teach our kids about the joy of giving in this fun "pay it forward" project and help spread the smiles.
| How Can I Win One? |
Sign-Up is now closed! |
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- Please be sure to carefully read the details listed within the Google Form.
- Sign-up opens Wednesday, September 18th and ends on Friday October 18th.
- All 24 winners will be selected and notified via e-mail on Friday, October 18th.
⚠️ Please note: There are small items included in the BOO Baskets that are potential choking hazards for children under the age of 3.
⚠️ Please note: There are items included in the BOO Baskets that could be harmful to those with allergies.
| How Do I "BOO" Someone? |
You don't have to receive a basket to give one! Start the trend in your neighborhood and deliver a couple of baskets. Here's how:
1. Fill a Halloween basket with goodies (candy, stickers, pencils). It doesn't have to be much!
2. Print out or make your own copies of the "We've Been BOO'd!" and "You've Been BOO'd" flyers and place them into the baskets. (printables below)
3. STEALTHFULLY leave your basket on the doorstep of a neighbor or friend, then ring the doorbell and run!
The recipient will open the door to see they have been "BOO'd!". Children will love being surprised by the basket of goodies and the instructions explaining that they need to make a basket and BOO two more families! Like in many other instances of giving, BOO'ing others is sure to be more fun than getting the candy itself.
Click on the images below to access and print out your flyers.
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Be sure to share your basket along with your "We've Been BOO'd!" print-out on social media with the hashtag #MacKIDAthensBOOBasket so we can enjoy the fun along with you and so our generous sponsors can see the smiles they helped create!
Huge thanks to the amazing sponsors and donors that are making this project possible. We could not have done this without you!
Please show some love and support by taking a moment to visit their webpage and giving a "like" or "follow" on their social media platforms.
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Designed for ages infant through 4 years, Allegro: lively music for children offers an engaging program that introduces music through movement, rhythm, and lots and lots of fun. During each quarterly session, children can explore various instruments while singing, dancing, and participating in activities that help to encourage coordination and motor skills. Allegro truly loves the Athens community: You'll often find Miss Cathy and their other amazing teachers hosting an outdoor jam at UGA's Botanical Garden stage or teaching a mid-week drop-in class at reBlossom. Check out their website to learn more about how you can register for the upcoming Winter Session, or how to sign-up for a trial visit. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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'Brella Studio is a family owned, mess-friendly creative space that let's you splash, splatter, and add extra glitter without having to worry about the clean up. Enjoy making creations at their Athens art studio by joining in a workshop, seasonal camp, or playgroup OR let their mobile art studio come to you for parties and other celebrations. 'Brella Studio offers classes and playgroups for all youth ages (as young as 2!) with both morning and afternoon options to fit your schedule. You can often find the art truck at one of our Athens-local community events. Be sure to stop by - you can let your little ones paint the outside of the truck! Browse their calendar to see what drop-in activities they have scheduled in studio, or where you can find them around town. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Located in Downtown Watkinsville, GA, Chops and Hops provides an upscale, yet casual, dining experience serving high quality steaks, burgers, an seafood along a wide selection of craft beers and wine. In addition to focusing on great customer service for all who dine, Chops and Hops is also community-oriented and is involved in many projects benefiting our local families. The restaurant includes a private upstairs seating area, ideal for private parties, receptions, and seasonal events available for reservation. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Healing Ways is a holistic skin care line that believes in the power of healing through nature, created by one of our own Athens-local moms. All products are hand made with care using 100% all-natural ingredients that deliver healing benefits on all skin types. Using ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, Healing Ways offers creams, body butters, and oils to soothe your body. You can often find Healing Ways set up at one of our many creative fairs and markets throughout town - be sure to stop and say hello! Products are also sold online and can be sent straight to your home in containers that are Earth-friendly and will not leak or spill. Be sure to check out their best known product, Owie Cream! Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Oconee Music is an independently owned music education school located in Watkinsville, GA that caters to all youth ages and skill levels to help children explore and discover their musical talents! Choose from a large variety of instrument instruction (guitar, ukulele, piano, flute, and more!) as well as voice lessons in either a group or private setting. Oconee Music also offers seasonal classes as well as summer camps during the warm weather months - be sure to add them to your calendar! For the fall/winter season, Kiddie Keys and Little Stars offer a gentle approach to music for ages 2 though 6. Want to help your child try something new without the committment? Reach out to set up a free trial lesson today! Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Sign Gypsies specializes in custom yard greetings to make your celebration extra memorable! They create colorful yard sign decor for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holidays, and other special events, helping any occasion stand out. Sign Gypsies takes care of both the setup and removal, so you can better focus on the moment. Check out their Facebook page to get a look at their most recent creations. P.S. They even have special red and black designs for all of your UGA parties! ;) Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Athens newest (and most delicious) cupcakery bakes and creates fresh gourmet cupcakes, cake slices, brownies, and cake pops daily and offers a variety of fun flavors of ice cream, also made in-house with care. Event catering, Wedding Cake design, and cake-tasing boxes are available for pre-order to make your birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations extra tasty! Smallcakes Athens carries gluten-free options for those with allergies and pupcakes that are safe for your furbabies, too. 🐾 Check out what was baked fresh today on their social media pages linked below. |
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Twisted Moon Studios is a locally-owned art studio that offers a variety of classes, workshops, private lessons, and parties for all ages and skill levels taught by instructors who are passionate about sharing the love of art with our community. Come create on a blank canvas, sculpt some clay, or pick out a pre-made project to complete. Artistic expression is encouraged and creative freedom is welcome. A unique addition to this studio is their in-house fire kiln: fire-up your masterpiece for a glazed long-lasting finish! Join a class or drop-in during Open Studio hours to paint, draw, sketch, sculpt, or try something new! Check out their kid-friendly Fall workshops here. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
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Washington Farms is a family-owned farm in Bogart, GA which provides our community lots of seasonal fun all throughout the year. From strawberry picking in the spring and summer, to corn mazes and pumpkin patches in the fall. The 2024 Fall Attractions are just about to open! Plan a day to come and enjoy zip lines, a petting zoo, climbing wall, wagon rides, farm-themed games for kids, and the Mega Slide! Don't forget to try some of their homemade Kettle Corn and Apple Cider Donuts before the day is done. Washington Farms is a well-loved local destination for family day-trips, school trips, and hands-on experiences all ages can enjoy. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
Click the image below to learn how you can win a $25 gift card to Chops and Hops to put towards your Thanksgiving turkey!
