The Upside Down of Snacking: Chocolate Treats That Belong in Every Stranger Things Fan’s Basket

Maybe it’s the 80s nostalgia.

Maybe it’s the late-night binge-watching energy.

Or maybe it’s because every episode feels like a roller coaster and your taste buds need emotional support.

Either way, if you’re building a themed gift basket for a die-hard fan or prepping snacks for the release of Stranger Things 5 (because yes, we’re all still asking “When is Stranger Things 5 coming out?”) there’s one thing you absolutely need:

Chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Chocolate is comforting, dramatic, fun, nostalgic, and easy to theme basically everything Stranger Things is. So if you’re looking for Stranger Things gifts or unique Stranger Things gift ideas, a chocolate-themed basket inspired by Hawkins might just be the coolest thing this side of the Upside Down.

Let’s step into the portal and explore the treats every fan will want in their basket.

1. Eleven’s Favorite: Chocolate-Dipped Waffles (But More Delicious)

Okay, so we can’t exactly tuck real waffles into a chocolate basket without making a sticky mess but we can lean into Eleven’s iconic love for sweet treats.

Swap waffles for chocolate-dipped cookies, dipped Oreos, or sugar cookies coated in creamy milk or white chocolate.

Picture this:

a crisp cookie dunked in chocolate, drizzled with white chocolate stripes (your subtle “waffle pattern”), and wrapped in cute 80s-style packaging.

It’s sweet.

It’s soft.

It’s crunchy.

It’s totally Eleven-approved.

And honestly? It’s one of the best chocolate gifts you can drop into a Stranger Things gift basket without overthinking it.

2. Hawkins Snack Stash: Sweet + Salty Pretzel Clusters

Nothing screams 80s sleepover like sweet and salty snacks, which is why pretzel-based treats belong in every Stranger Things fan’s basket.

Think:

• chocolate-covered pretzel
• crunchy chocolate clusters
• chip-and-pretzel bites drizzled in milk or dark chocolate

These are the snacks you grab during the intense scenes you know, the ones where the lights start flickering and you suddenly can’t blink. They’re comforting, crunchy, and practically designed for binge-watching.

If you’re searching for Stranger Things gift ideas that feel nostalgic and fun, pretzel clusters are a no-brainer.

3. The Upside Down Bark

Now here’s where the theme gets really fun.

Chocolate bark already looks wild and dramatic, which makes it perfect for an “Upside Down” twist. You can play with textures, colors, flavors, and toppings to create a treat that looks like it escaped Vecna’s lair.

Ideas that fit perfectly:

• dark chocolate bark with sea salt (moody, edgy, Upside Down energy)
• pistachio + saffron bark (mysterious, luxurious, unexpected)
• white chocolate bark with blue or red sprinkles (Hawkins-inspired)

The jagged edges, the mix of smooth chocolate and crunchy toppings honestly, chocolate bark practically designs itself when you’re thinking in Stranger Things aesthetics.

And the best part? It’s wildly shareable.

4. Demogorgon-Worthy Chocolate Fruit

If you want something a little more “fancy Hawkins party” than “run for your life in the woods,” chocolate-covered fruit is the way to go.

Two fan-favorites that work beautifully in themed baskets:

• fresh strawberries dipped in rich chocolate
• dark-chocolate coated dates with almond centers

There’s something elegant but slightly dramatic about chocolate fruit. It’s sweet, it’s bold, and it feels elevated enough to stand out among typical Stranger Things gifts.

Plus, Demogorgons may have flower-petal faces, but let’s be honest: they’d probably pick chocolate fruit over humans if given the choice.

5. Max’s Mix: A Mini Assortment Box

Max may be one of the bravest characters in the show, but she’s also one of the most sentimental and that’s exactly the energy of a mini assorted chocolate box.

Build one with:

• one dipped pretzel
• one rich truffle
• one chocolate-covered cookie
• one crunchy cluster
• one specialty piece (pistachio, saffron, rose-cardamom, sea salt, etc.)

It’s small, meaningful, full of personality, and packed with different textures just like the ensemble cast itself.

This is an especially great idea when you want your Stranger Things gift basket to feel thoughtful without going overboard.

6. Scoops Ahoy–Inspired Chocolate Pops

You can’t talk about Stranger Things gifts without a nod to Scoops Ahoy.

Chocolate pops (or chocolate-dipped marshmallows with colorful sprinkles) fit the theme perfectly. They’re playful, kid-friendly, and nostalgic enough to instantly transport someone to the mall food court in Season 3.

These pops also add height and visual fun to gift baskets, which makes them extra Pinterest-worthy.

7. Vecna-Level Indulgence: Marshmallow Mountains

If you want a gift that feels dramatic, here’s your winner.

Marshmallow mountains (soft marshmallows dipped in chocolate and coated in toppings) are indulgent, larger-than-life treats basically, the Vecna of chocolate snacks.

This is the “go big or go home” moment in your basket.

Their mix of soft + crunchy + creamy textures make them satisfying enough to be the star of any gift.

8. The Final Level: A Full Stranger Things Chocolate Gift Box

Every Stranger Things fan deserves a grand finale and this is where you can combine everything into one fully themed chocolate box.

Include:

• bark
• dipped cookies
• pretzel clusters
• chocolate pops
• strawberries or dates
• truffles
• seasonal shapes

Wrap it in dark red or navy tones, add a faux vine or two (Upside Down vibes), and boom your box suddenly looks like it belongs on a Hawkins merch shelf.

It’s the kind of gift fans take pictures of before opening.

How to Build the Basket (Hawkins Style)

The food is only half the magic the presentation seals the theme.

Here are easy ways to make your Stranger Things basket look like it stepped out of the series:

✔ Use 80s-inspired wrapping

Neon ribbons, VHS-style tags, retro fonts.

✔ Add Hawkins references

Small notes that say “Property of Hawkins Middle School” or “Do Not Enter: The Upside Down.”

✔ Try red + black aesthetic

Perfect colors for the Stranger Things look.

✔ Add fun extras

Fake vines, cassette-tape stickers, star-shaped tags, blue ice-cream-themed bows for Scoops Ahoy energy.

Even if you’re keeping the treats simple, the packaging makes it feel like a premium Stranger Things gift.

A Sweet, Spooky, Nostalgic Ending

At the end of the day, chocolate is one of the easiest and most universally loved Stranger Things gift ideas out there. It’s comforting enough for scary scenes, fun enough for binge-watching nights, and creative enough to theme around Hawkins and the Upside Down.

Whether you’re crafting a fan basket, prepping for a watch party, or just trying to surprise a friend who’s counting the days until Stranger Things 5 arrives, chocolate gifts will always come through.

Because in Hawkins and in real life:

every adventure is better with something sweet.