Grandfather clocks, Christmas lights, Eggo Waffles: miscellaneous motifs that now can immediately transport us to the nostalgic, adventure packed show many of us grew up with. In honor of Stranger Things concluding this holiday season after nearly a decade of well deserved limelight, gifting your favorite fans themed memorabilia can make for special, but affordable stocking stuffers to keep some of the iconic moments from Hawkins alive.
1. Joyce Byers Inspired Alphabet Magnet Set
As a nod to one of the most recognizable scenes of the show, a matte black or pastel alphabet magnet set is perfect, especially for apartment residents. As a bonus, pair it with a mini Polaroid camera so friends can take pictures, write a message and pin it up to recreate Joyce’s wall on a fridge or memory board with a heartfelt twist.
2. Eggo Themed Stress Relievers
To honor the kryptonite of our powerful hero, waffle shaped squishies can make a great addition to the stocking stuffer collection. Just coming out of finals, I know those later week of the quarter could definitely use a cute stress toy. Alternatively, a small waffle flavored lip balm can be a great, less obvious merch item for everyday practicality.
3. Hellfire Club dice set
A very holiday season appropriate gift is a set of dark colored (red, black, marble) dice for those family gatherings or whenever a board game night is in order. To fit the aesthetic of the show more specifically, they could come housed in a vintage-style game tin. Eddie Munson would be so proud.
4. Hawkins high inspired accessories
Channel the adventurous, bike-riding spirit of our core four characters with a set of mini walkie talkies. They make for a fun, interactive gift perfect for siblings and cousins, ushering in playful holiday downtime. For fans thinking more generally, patches, keychains, or even letterman’s jackets as a big gift can carry the 80s spirit of Hawkins High.
5. “friends Don’t Lie” Inspired Bracelets
For all the DIY champions, a simple, handmade cord or beaded bracelet can be a good addition to the Stranger Things gift set, and you can even choose colors inspired by different characters (like soft pinks for Eleven, reds for Max, etc.) for a thoughtful, show-inspired look.
6. Self Care Kit from the upside down
Present your friends a night of well deserved relaxation; a red or black bath bomb paired with a Demogorgon-inspired flower claw clip makes for a moody, Upside Down-approved self-care moment and can be a fun, daily accessory gift too.
7. Cassette Inspired Keepsakes
Since music is a central theme of the newer seasons, a cassette (or even cassette inspired keychain) paired with a Spotify code to your friends’ favorite songs or a joint playlist can be a thoughtful gift for music lovers and a reminder from the Duffer Brothers that sometimes a song can really save you.
8. Scoops ahoy collectibles
To bring back the lighthearted, mall era of the show, small enamel pins, striped bandanas or headbands can be a small, but intentional nod to Steve and Robin’s second home. For a bigger gift, a Scoops Ahoy themed ice cream scooper can be a great novelty gift especially for holiday movie nights.
9. vecna inspired clock dish
For a modern gift idea that still captures the subtle horror of the show, a clock face jewelry dish, especially a distorted one, can be a practical and year round display worthy piece for rings, keys, etc.
10. hawkins arcade nostalgia
A more interactive and direct callback to the 80s aesthetic of Hawkins would be a small, handheld retro arcade game like Pac-man, or even a arcade/skateboard inspired desk decor piece to bring a small piece of the era into daily life.
11. stranger things stickers and prints
I wanted to leave this last idea more universally giftable and open ended: it could look like DIY-ed water bottle or laptop stickers inspired by the show, tote bags or anything to personalize everyday items. Prints and posters could make for great wall decor, even friend group photos edited with Upside Down Inspired backgrounds can be a lighthearted keepsake.