Are you a fan of the cult-classic Netflix series Stranger Things? Feed your obsession by throwing a Halloween party direct from the "Upside-Down". Forget Friday the 13th, Eleven is the new 13!
It's the perfect mixture of supernatural creepy and scariness for a Halloween party. I don't know about you, but faceless Demogorgons and Demo-dogs are enough to scare me into hiding inside Castle Byers.
So, gather your friends around the Christmas light Ouija board, get into the spirit with 80's nostalgic tunes and these Dustin approved party ideas & free printables. Make sure no one goes missing!!
Download the free Stranger Things Printables here!
The Table
The "Upside Down" is a dark and scary place, so I started with a black table top. If you don't have a black tabletop, use a black tablecloth to cover your table. Down the center of the table I created a black runner with layers of black tulle twisted together.
Around the tulle I wrapped strands of retro Christmas tree lights. In the center of the tulle & lights I stacked Maxell Cassette Tapes, the tulle wrapped around each side of the stack of tapes. On top of the tapes I placed a ceramic pumpkin painted white with Elevens quote "Friends Don't Lie" glued onto it. I then wrapped a strand of Christmas lights around the pumpkin...allowing Will to communicate with the guests!
Down the length of the runner I placed Toy-filled Christmas Light Bulbs. These come with a Santa theme gift inside. I placed these aside (I've kept them for Christmas stocking stuffers) and filled the light bulbs with Halloween Candy.
At each end of the runner I pulled retro 80's athletic socks, just like Eleven wears, over Pint Ball Mason Jars. On top of these I placed a Mini UFO Lamp Party Light, total 80's nostalgia.
The Place Setting
I started each place setting with a Gold Charger I spray painted a gloss black. In the center of the charger I glued a plate decal with "11 is the new 13" in the Stranger Things font. This is available to download. I used a Premium Clear Plastic Plate on top of this so it could be seen from underneath...or upside down even! I added a small flashlight on top of each plate so guests could join in with the search for Barb & Will.
Download the free Stranger Things Printables here!
I used extra Maxwell cassette tapes as place card holders, pulling out some of the tape inners for dramatic effect, wrapping it around the Premium Metallic Silver Cutlery. I sat both the place card and the cutlery on top of a Red Luncheon Napkin.
On the name tags I used the character names (if your guests have come in costume this works really well!). The provided printable is blank so you can use either character or real names. You can download the printable in this size (to sit on top of a tape) or, if you don't have real cassette tapes, in a larger full tape size.
Download the free Stranger Things Printables here!
For drinks, I served cans of coke next to a DIY demogorgon glass. To make these I used a Horror Glass and cut out a demogorgon mouth using red felt. I then created rows of teeth using a chalk marker.
The Seating
Costumes can also double as decor. The characters in Stranger Things have quite distinctive clothing that you can drape over chairs. For example, Eleven's denim jacket, Barb's glasses, or Will's red vest. I used a trucker hat like the one Dustin wore.
The Backdrop
I created a version of the "Upside Down" as a backdrop, complete with upside down trees and a black moon.
Across the backdrop I hung a Happy Halloween Banner using Christmas tree ouija board lights from the 1st season. The DIY instructions, printable letters and light templates to make this Halloween banner are HERE.
I also incorporated the cracks made from Joyce's ax into the wall and a shape emerging from the resulting gaping black holes. You can find out how to make this backdrop yourself HERE.
I also added a few "Have you seen me?" missing posters, from season 1.
The Waffle Bar
In front of the backdrop I set up a waffle bar. You cannot have a Stranger Things Halloween party without waffles. Eleven would NOT be happy!
On the left of the table I placed a 80's style Inflatable Boom Box. In front of this plenty of condiments for making lots of delicious waffle combinations.
I sprayed a Diamond Cut Pedestal Dish black and filled it with more Halloween candy inside Christmas light bulbs.
In the middle of the table I used a selection of cake stands and dishes to serve 11 flavors of waffles at a self serve waffle bar Eleven would approve of.
To create this waffle bar, learn about the tasty flavor combinations and get the printables, click HERE.
What is your favorite waffle topping? Here is a hint as to what my favorite is.....just like Dustin!
